Modernize Your Outdoor Patio Space With 19 Unique Patterned Tile Flooring Ideas

Outdoor patio space is often an overlooked and under-designed area of a house. Even though it's an outdoor oasis away from the activity of the home itself, sometimes it's easy to forget that this space is as deserving of decor and design as much as other rooms in the house — and it deserves a refresh every once in a while, too. Putting down new tiles on the patio is a straightforward way of updating the space, but you can take it a step further and make it unique to you by utilizing fun patterned tile flooring ideas.

Patterned tiles in an outdoor patio can make it feel like you've just laid down a stylish, permanent rug. It adds a decor pop to the area and helps lean into a theme or style of architecture. Many tile options nowadays are also made to withstand the elements and don't compromise on aesthetics. With all these different kinds of patterning around, you'll no doubt find the right fit.

Once you've decided on the patterned tile of your outdoor patio dreams, bear in mind a few key tips. Avoid peel-and-stick tiles for outdoor spaces, no matter how budget-friendly and adorable the pattern may be, as most self-adhesive tiles aren't meant to withstand outdoor elements. Instead, opt for weather-worthy materials for use on your outdoor patio, like slate, porcelain, or limestone to ensure longevity. With these thoughts and your design aesthetic in mind, here are our favorite unique patterned tile flooring ideas to modernize your outdoor patio space.

Celebrity interior designer Hilary Farr loves using this kind of tile for quirky spaces, like in vintage bathrooms or antique houses. Barn quilt-inspired tiles immediately transform a space into a modern farmhouse, or in the case of an outdoor area, a rustic barnyard experience. Pair this tile with some Edison bulb lights and some wooden (dare we say shiplap) accents, and you'll have your very own country-chic corral. Add a whimsical element to this pattern by using brightly colored barn quilt tiles.

Add an old-world conservatory feel with checkerboard patterned tiles. Not unlike the upgraded solarium Joanna Gaines designed in the castle spin-off of "Fixer Upper," contrasting diamond patterned tiles lend a sophisticated yet slightly antique air. Turning the tile 45 degrees to create a diamond effect really leans into a Victorian vibe while maintaining the checkerboards in a classic square pattern creates a mid-century modern space. Try different sized checks to switch up the feel, from a mini-grid for a lower key pattern to larger diamonds that dominate (in a good way) the design aesthetic.

For a subtle upgrade, try a design that's common in bathrooms or kitchens, but not so common on the patio: herringbone. Using long, rectangular tiles, arrange them in a herringbone pattern on the ground and on different surfaces around the space. For some contrast, use grout in a color that pops against the tile color you've chosen. You'll have an elevated pattern that's far more interesting than a flat, boring tile orientation, without it taking over the design. Of course, make it as fun as you want with vibrant tile colors.

While it sounds really simple, if you choose the right colors and materials, this tile pattern has the potential to look extremely luxe. Contrasting colors make this simple triangle design look like the entryway to a modernly chic hotel while not losing a charm reminiscent of a classic design. Remember, two large triangles make a square, so installation may not be as difficult as you think when you hear "irregular tile size." Marble may look the most luxurious, but it comes at a labor/material cost, so try a porcelain version for low maintenance.

For a patio that's equal parts desert oasis and Spanish colonial adobe-inspired, a southwestern-style tile adds the design cherry on top of an otherwise neutral space. The pattern is simple enough to keep the space from feeling too crowded or claustrophobic but adds a distinct focal point. Keep in the neutral theme with a white background tile, but don't be afraid to add some warmth to your space with colored, patterned tiles as well. Don't worry about it looking too kitschy because with the right decor, it'll read tasteful bohemian.

Craft an Art Deco floral pattern with some etched geometric tiles with a clean but rustic arts and crafts feel. Individually, the tile appears almost star-like, vaguely reminiscent of those barn tiles, but once joined with other tiles, the pattern transforms into a field of Art Deco flowers on the floor of your patio. Let the pattern speak for itself, and choose a neutral colorway. The design star here is the intricate puzzle of how all the pieces work together.

From Art Deco to mid-century modern, these groovy waves will make for a fun patio that really sets your space apart from the average yard. This psychedelic tile will pair well with your favorite MCM touches like minimalist, wooden outdoor furniture, a bold pop of color in a flower pot somewhere, or a well-placed metal bar cart. Mid-century tiles are a no-brainer to update and modernize a space in a way that feels sleek and yet whimsical at the same time like something straight out of 1960s Palm Springs or Miami.

Classic tile patterns can update a space as much as a unique and splashy pattern especially if you choose an under-the-radar material that gives it a modern refresh. That's definitely the case with the tried-and-true diamond and square pattern. Arranged in a way that creates repeating octagons throughout the floor, this pattern appeals to a variety of design tastes. Try using different hues of limestone tiles for a sturdy and yet stylishly neutral color palette or opt for saturated colors in a clay mosaic tile if you prefer something more fun.

If you're looking to do something truly funky and unique to modernize your patio space, then try out a kaleidoscope tile pattern. The aim of this pattern is to make your floor mimic the shapes and colors you might see through a large kaleidoscope. Some kaleidoscope tile options tend to be a bit more uniform in their pattern, while an updated take is to use contrasting shapes, like circles and rectangles, to craft a colorful "burst"-like pattern, like you see in this tile by Ca'Pietra.

A pattern by many names – the crosshatch, the basket weave, the parquet – it all describes how lined tiles are arranged in a way that the patterns run perpendicular into one another. This tile update is a great DIY option, since the pattern arranging is simpler for this option than many of the others on this list. Just choose your favorite colorways in a lined, square tile or rectangular tile. Then alternate the way it lays every other tile to craft that perfect pattern that feels very Beverly Hills Hotel during its mid-century heyday.

Stella Nero tiles, a name used to refer to the pattern's eight-pointed star and color variation, are increasingly popular to use both in and outside of the home. They're durable and yet adorable at the same time, and while the name of the tile focuses on the black color, you can actually get this pattern in a variety of hues. The classic black and white — either with the black star and white background or vice versa — will make your outdoor space feel like a stylish Mediterranean balcony.

For a truly unique pattern that likely will never be replicated in the exact same way anywhere else, use Tierra y Fuego patterned tiles for a Mexican patio flair. Inspired by the vintage Talavera Mexican tiles used in outdoor architecture for centuries, these Tierra y Fuego tiles follow in the heritage of that craft, with brightly patterned and beautifully glazed designs. Modernize the pattern by, really, not sticking to a pattern, and instead picking out all unique designs to place in your own vividly colored mosaic of a patio floor.

Lozenges are more than just cough drops, but also refers to a rhombus, diamond-like shape that's been used in interior design for centuries (the pattern dates as far back as the Neolithic Age). It fits perfectly in the curve of a circle, and when you put them together, "lozenge and circle" is an effortlessly magical pattern that'll update up your patio space. For an MCM interpretation of this simply ancient classic, try a matte, cement combination of colors or go monochrome to let the shapes themselves craft the pattern.

If your yard has any water features or the movement of water resonates with the design of the patio in any way, then using patterned tiles that mimic the ebb-and-flow of streams and lakes may be a really unique addition to the space. These "fish-scale" tiles (also called fan tiles) take those mermaid feels and translate them into a flooring pattern that's sure to catch everyone's attention. Selecting a marble version, while high maintenance, really adds a luxurious touch while a terracotta version is great to use for the outdoors.

Cross and star tile patterns are a fantastic option if you're hoping to have all sorts of color and material choices. Produced in everything from colored fireclay to marble to natural terracotta, you'll have a host of combinations to choose from. For a monochromatic finish, try the contrasting grout trick to make the subtle pattern pop even more against the ground or opt for a multi-colored variation where the crosses are one color and the stars are another complementary color to really make the pattern pop. 

These Mediterranean-feeling tiles fill out a space with large, intricate designs and pops of saturated color. Inspired by the historic Moorish buildings found in southern Spain and Northern Africa, Andalusian tiles craft extremely eye-catching geometric patterns that resemble stars or large flowers. These tiles are known for their vibrant complexity and can easily modernize a space while still keeping some interesting character to the patio. Play off the pattern's bold colors with neutral patio furniture to make this feel as modern as it does unique.

Don't be intimidated by the idea of tiling a pattern within a pattern, because sometimes it's as simple as choosing two different colors. Rather than one large square tile, use smaller tiles to create a mosaic-like composite of the larger size to add some design dimension to the material. With a different, yet complementary colored tile, do the same thing to create a pattern-within-a-pattern, checkerboard effect. The end result is a really complex-looking outdoor tile rug that mixes texture and color.

A style with roots in the historic Middle East, a gorgeous arabesque pattern will make your outdoor patio space instantly feel decadent. Depending on the colorway and material you choose, the space will morph into either a Mediterranean respite, a preppy New England patio, or an upscale hotel spa room. For an even more intricate version of this pattern, choose an arabesque tile with an added border layer to the design. It leans into more luxury territory and away from coastal cottage — unless, of course, that's the look you're going for!

Sometimes it's not about the color or pattern of the tiles themselves, but rather the placement of the tiles that make for an upgraded patio. Create a space-within-a-space by mixing and matching tile patterns. With a few contrasting colored and shaped tiles or stones, you can create a tile "rug" on your patio that draws attention a particular focal point (like the fountain in this example), while leaving the rest of the patio more neutral. This is great for folks who want an interesting and modern touch to highlight an architectural focal point on their patio.