4 Flooring Options for Creating the Perfect Outdoor Space

Whether you’re looking to create a vibrant space for entertaining your friends or a serene spot for curling up with a good book, the type of flooring you choose for your outdoor area can make all the difference. 

Using honed concrete in Perth is one of the biggest design trends this year. Opting for more traditional, natural wood gives a timeless, rustic feel. Brick and natural stone are popular choices because they suit almost every style of home. 

Not only will the flooring you choose influence the tone of the whole space, but you’ll also need to consider factors like maintenance and durability. 

Read on to find out which flooring option you should choose for the perfect outdoor space.

1. Polished Concrete

Polished (or honed) concrete is one of the most popular options for patio flooring because it is highly economical and easy to maintain. Aesthetically, polished concrete creates a modern, minimalistic feel in any space; however, its bright, shiny luster is anything but austere. 

And the best part about a concrete floor? It’s impervious to wind, rain, hail, and sun – unlike wooden decking that takes a beating from the elements. 

Concrete is incredibly versatile and comes in a variety of colors, so you can customize your outdoor entertainment area to your liking without having to worry if it will clash with your patio furniture.  

2. Brick

If you’re looking for old-world charm and warmth to complement your wooden, cottage-style house, brick may be perfect for you. Brick is durable and economical, but it needs to be maintained. 

Brick paving is excellent for outdoor cooking areas because it is resistant to heat. However, the mortar between bricks is not as durable as the bricks themselves, and you may have to apply a sealant to prevent water damage and cracking. 

As far as style goes, there are many pattern options when you’re laying bricks, like running bond (the most popular choice), basketweave, herringbone, and more. 

3. Natural Stone

While stone flooring generally creates a traditional feel, you can customize it for a more rustic or luxurious look, depending on the type you choose. Stone holds up well to heavy foot traffic, so it’s a good choice if you plan to do many entertaining outdoors. 

The maintenance a stone floor will need depends on the stone you choose – the more porous the stone, the more frequently it will have to be sealed. 

Stones that work particularly well for outdoor spaces are travertine, marble, granite, limestone, slate, and flagstone – be sure to inquire about the properties and maintenance requirements before choosing one.  

4. Wood Planks and Tiles

If you want to create a rustic, natural atmosphere for your outdoor area, nothing achieves this quite as well as wood. Wooden flooring is unparalleled in warmth and coziness, and it provides an aesthetically pleasing transition from outdoors to indoors.

As beautiful as natural wooden flooring is, though, it has its downsides. Out of all outdoor flooring options, wood requires the most upkeep. Don’t let water, leaves, or debris accumulate on a wooden floor, and remember that you’ll need to clean, sand, and seal it once a year.

If the maintenance required for wooden flooring seems like too much, consider composite wood instead – this way, you can still get the look and feel of natural wood without all that upkeep.