Temporary Outdoor Flooring And Patio Ideas

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Whether you just need a solution for a party, need an easy DIY option, or rent these temporary outdoor flooring and patio ideas are a perfect way to spruce up our space.

It’s summer. You have a yard (either at the front or the back), but no area for simple pleasures such as an afternoon gathering, or dinner under the stars.

First thought that comes to mind is, it would take so much time and money to change this… or would it? Not necessarily: there is a wonderfully practical, perfectly accessible option to turn your yard (or part of it) into a patio in an instant—or, at the very least, within a single day instead of weeks.

Patio VS Yard: What’s the Difference?

You may have figured it out by now, if you didn’t know already: a yard and a patio are different things. The former is simply the space that lies at the front or back of your house. The latter is an area (outside, by the home) that is commonly reserved for dining, recreation, and the like; and which, more often than not, is paved.

‘Patio’ is a word of Spanish origin, and it is also used to refer to open spaces situated within large residences; this particular concept is such a staple of Spanish architecture, there’s even a festival dedicated to this kind of space.

The philosophy here is clear: though technically possible, it’s difficult to set chairs, tables and other such items on soft, uneven surfaces such as dirt; for this, you need a harder base that will also look good, inviting, perhaps even fashionable.

In summary, you need a patio.

But how to create it out of seemingly nowhere? The answer: temporary flooring.

What is Temporary Flooring?

You read that right: temporary. There are many products nowadays which can work as a floor (and resemble its looks to varying degrees), but without the lengthy (and often costly) installation, or the drawbacks of permanence.

At the core, temporary flooring is intended as an optimal alternative when you want to change the floor in an area but it is impractical to do so for any reason: maybe you can’t foot the bill or, although you are its lawful occupant, the space in question is not yours to modify (if you rent, for example). 

Maybe you’re simply not sure this is what you want, and you’d like to be able to undo the changes if you end up not liking them.

Whatever the case, it’s quite simple: you just lay the flooring down, set it in place if needs be (depending on your choice), and you’re done. When you want or need a change, you simply remove it.

There are, for example, stickers that give your floor a more aesthetic look, and special mats that provide a non-slip, easily washable, softer surface for when you workout.

When it’s intended for the living room, just about anything within this category will do; however, since it will be outside, any flooring you opt for will need to be something that endures the elements well, is not hard to maintain, and will not become waterlogged.

Cool Temporary Flooring Ideas for a Patio

We shall now go over some good options available to you, depending on the look—or feel—you’re going for.

Composite Decking

It is often either wood, or plastic that looks like wood. Whatever the case, it does not require any adhesive, as the edges of the tiles are cut in such a way that allows them to lock onto their neighbors once set down.

PANDAHOME Wood Plastic Composite Patio Deck Tiles, 12”x12”: It looks pretty close to the real thing, and it is naturally waterproof. The base is laid out so it will easily drain water. Available in 2 shades of brown, 2 hues of gray, and a green one resembling grass.

Bare Decor EZ-Floor Interlocking Flooring Tiles: This one’s made in teak, a type of wood that is often preferred for outdoors applications (such as building boats) as it is quite strong and with naturally high resistance to sun, water or frost damage. It comes with a finish to help it last even longer and keep it from absorbing moisture; this finish should be replenished by applying special oil periodically, so the wood will continue to repel water.

Rubber Pavers

The fact that it is often made of recycled materials is pretty good to begin with, but there’s more: due to its composition, this sort of paver is inherently impervious to water (its microporous surface will let it run right through), won’t get damaged by the sun, and there’s no need to worry about frost forming at the top on cold days. Although it is solid, it retains enough flexibility to be safer than the real thing in case of a fall.

RevTime Garden Rubber Pavers: It’s fairly easy to lay these down, as their shape helps them lock onto one another and stay in place.

Rug

No, I’m not suggesting you bring out the one currently sitting under your coffee table. For this, you need something that won’t fade under the sun, will be just fine if it rains, and takes only a hose-down to clean. Outdoor rugs vary by size, shape and pattern, so it is likely you will find something suitable for your taste or situation.

Unique Loom Solid Collection Flatweave Area Rug: It comes in 8 colors, though it may be actually 16 since the color is different between one side of the rug and the other.

It boasts a fairly wide variety of sizes, from 6 sq ft all the way to 140. Made in power-loomed polypropylene weave, it is naturally resistant to water and stains, and doesn’t fade unless left under the sun for prolonged periods of time.

Artificial Grass

It’s easy to get behind this idea if we’re talking about dirt but, grass on top of grass? This is indeed a thing, and it’s more common than one would think. Now, we’re not talking about the astroturf of the mid to late XX Century, which could be spotted as fake from a mile away.

These days, artificial grass looks (and feels) pretty close to the real thing, to the point that it is likely you have passed by green, trim lawns that are actually artificial, without telling the difference.

The advantages are many: there is no need for pulling weeds, mowing or watering the grass; you can sit (or lie) down without fear of dirt, bugs, or feeling itchy.

Your pets can use it exactly as they would normal grass, including to relieve themselves; and in this case all that needs done is scooping up like you always do, and hosing the patch down periodically.

Worried about waterlogging? No need, as there are holes so any rain will pass right through.

PET GROW Artificial Grass Turf: It is certainly artificial, but it goes a long way towards emulating the real thing: instead of just one, it features a total of 4 grass types (young, mature, aging and withered), with a density of 85,000 per square foot.

The result is, per reported experiences, fairly durable—with optimal draining capabilities, too, thanks to the holes distributed through the mat—, and lifelike enough for pets to favor it as a lounging area. Various sizes available, from 28 to about 1,000 sq feet coverage.

In Conclusion

Regardless of your budget or whether you own your living space, a proper patio is definitely not out of reach. All it takes is the right type of flooring—depending on the feel you’re going for—a simple installation, some appropriate furniture… and, why not, some food and drinks!