Porch Tile Ideas – 11 ways to create an impressive entrance

Fitting attractive porch tiles is one of the best ways to boost your home’s kerb appeal. It’s also a great way to add character to your house, not to mention being extremely practical too.

If you’re thinking about replacing existing porch tiles, choosing tiles for a new porch or tiling over a plain concrete floor, keep reading for some ideas and examples to pep up your porch.

Image credit: @_vixcreates_

Which tiles are best for a porch?

Because a porch is often open to the elements, porch tiles will be exposed to sun, rain, snow and ice. They’ll be regularly soaked or covered in mud and need to be easy to clean and very durable. There’s a mind-blowingly large choice of porch tiles to choose from, we’ve rounded up the best ones for the job:

Vitrified tiles are similar to ceramic tiles but contain silica, clay and quartz which are compressed and then fired at extremely high temperatures. Vitrified tiles are less porous than ceramic tiles, making them a popular option for outdoor use. They are frost resistant and very resistant to scratching and staining.  

Porcelain tiles are produced in a similar way to vitrified tiles. They are extremely durable, frost-resistant and have very low porosity, making them another excellent choice for use outdoors. The main advantage of porcelain is the sheer variety of colours and textures available.  A good quality stone or wood-effect porcelain tile is almost indistinguishable from the real thing.

Natural stone tiles are one of the most stylish options you can choose for a porch. Completely timeless and exceptionally durable, the beauty of real stone is hard to beat. Slate and limestone tiles are a good option.

Natural terracotta tiles are made from clay and have been used for centuries. Often seen in more traditional homes, terracotta is a great choice for use outdoors as it’s durable, resistant to mould and mildew and some are frost resistant. These tiles will need to be sealed if used outdoors unless already glazed.

Quarry tiles are similar to terracotta tiles, but are made from a mixture of clay, shale and other natural materials. They aren’t as smooth as terracotta tiles and if you break one, you’ll see the larger stone particles inside the tile. Quarry tiles are extremely durable and suitable for use inside and out.

Paving tiles, last but not least, outdoor paving tiles, the type you would use on a patio area, are a great choice for a porch. They’re made for a life outdoors, and you can choose from a wide range of finishes and textures.

Porch tile ideas

It’s really easy to overlook a porch area, after all, we quickly pass through it on our way into or out of the house. But small areas are often the places where you can be more adventurous with design, whether it’s using bright colours, bold patterns or trying a flooring or wall material that you’ve never used before.

Before you choose the tiles for your porch, have a look at our pick of the best porch tiles. Whether you have a grand entrance or a more modest shelter, there are many ways to create an eye-catching entry to your home:

Classic quarry tiles

Quarry tiles are a popular choice for porch flooring as they are so durable. If they’re looked after well, they can last a lifetime. They’ll also blend with many different types of stone and will look good with a traditional or more contemporary home.

Vintage star tiles

Patterned tiles have been popular since the early 20th Century. Although styles and designs may have changed, the trend for installing pretty tiles hasn’t and they are a great way to add interest and personality to a small area of your home.

These classic star design tiles will add a vintage touch to your home and they’ll look as beautiful in a newbuild home as they will in a period property.

Image credit: @home_of_hettie_

Recommended Tile: Regal Negro

Grand Victorian porch tiles

Not just for the floor, you can also tile your porch walls with ornate, Victorian-style tiles for a striking entrance. Originally designed to give visitors something to admire while they waited for the door to be opened, many homes still retain these attractive dado tiles.  

Tiled Victorian floor designs are made up of a series of smaller, geometric tiles which are arranged into intricate patterns. One of the most popular choices for porch and hallway tiles, Victorian tiles are guaranteed to add elegance to your home. Because of the wide range of colours and shapes available, there are almost limitless ways to use these tiles. 

Penny porch tiles

If you’re keen to stamp your own creative style onto your porch, then mosaic penny tiles are a great way to do so. We love the idea of including your house number or a greeting on your porch floor. Although mosaic tiles can be fiddly to install if you’re creating a custom piece, a porch is usually a small area to tile and the final results will make it well worth the effort.

Image credit: @wherelivlives

Patterned porch tiles

Add interest to a smaller porch area with characterful tiles. Bolder tiles are a perfect choice for a smaller space and can make a great contrast with a more neutrally decorated hallway. Whatever age your property is, there will be a patterned tile to suit your style.  

Image credit: @houzz2homerenovation

Black and white Victorian porch tiles

If creating an elegant entryway is high on your agenda, then you can’t go wrong with a timeless, black and white geometric tiled floor. Choose from squares, hexagons, rectangles and triangles to make a pattern that will look incredible for years to come. If you want something a little brighter, you can add coloured tiles into the mix, or contrast the floor tiles with brightly coloured walls or a statement-coloured front door.

Image credit: @inside_creamery_cottage

Recommended Tile: Cambridge Victorian Tiles

Natural stone porch tiles

If you’re unsure about pattern or colour and prefer a more natural look, stone flooring is undoubtedly one of the best solutions for a porch floor. Durable, timeless and just so practical, stone can look ultra-contemporary, or completely classic depending on the style of your home.  

Natural stone floors will need to be sealed after installation and periodically thereafter, helping the stone to resist stains and prevent water damage.

Image credit: @25_our_home_in_the_making

Recommended Tile: Mink Tumbled 

Splitface porch tiles

If you’d like to tile your porch walls but don’t fancy glossy Victorian-style tiles, split face tiles are a more contemporary option. Available in a range of natural colours, splitface tiles can be made from natural stone or porcelain.  They’ll instantly transform a porch and are an increasingly popular way to give an older property a modern makeover.

Image credit: @aktiling88

Recommended Tile: Arun Dark

Timeless terracotta tiles

Terracotta tiles are often seen in traditional homes but that doesn’t mean that they can’t work just as well in a more modern setting. Terracotta tiles have been used in outdoor spaces since Roman times.  They are perfect for creating a rustic look and will look fantastic against brick, stone or rendered walls.

Image credit: @three_steps_south

Brightly coloured porch tiles

If you have a tiny porch area, try sprucing it up with brightly coloured floor tiles.  A surefire way to make you smile, bright colours will make an instant impact. If you’re unsure what colour to go for, you can always order a few sample tiles and place them on the porch to see what you prefer. Try it, you won’t regret it!

Image credit: @jemscreativejourney

Glossy porch wall tiles

If you’re replacing dated or damaged Victorian dado wall tiles, you don’t have to stick to patterned tiles. Keeping the tiles a solid colour can look just as striking. We love the contrast between these high-gloss wall tiles and the matte quarry floor tiles. 

Image credit: @doingup114

Porch tile tips

• Make sure that the tile material you choose for your porch can withstand the elements. You won’t need to worry so much if your porch is fully enclosed.
• Depending on the colour of tile you choose, black or dark-coloured grout will be a wise choice!
• Pick a tile that’ll be hardwearing and stand up to scratches, knocks and the Great British weather, Natural stone, porcelain, vitrified tiles and terracotta are all excellent options.
• It’s a good idea to order some sample tiles, especially if you are working with small Victorian geometric tiles and making complex patterns.
• If you’re laying tiles on an outdoor porch, make sure that the subfloor has a minimum thickness of 50mm

If you’re thinking about tiling your porch, Atlas Ceramics has an extensive selection of porch tiles to choose from. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.