I saw a gorgeous polished concrete floor in a restaurant recently and am considering it myself for an open plan kitchen/living. The staff in the restaurant mentioned that it was a nightmare as it was extremely slippy and dangerous when wet. I too would love to extend the concrete to our outside courtyard - so this scared me. I was under the impression that polished concrete was quite expensive? I would be interested to hear any other feedback on concrete floors.

So much potential! The style to go for here is industrial & eclectic! Outhouse rooms - I'd use the outhouse rooms for storing your gardening equipment & bike cleaning gear. I'd get some cheap shelves from IKEA for storing stuff on. Bikes - You could get some hooks to hang your bikes on and use them as 'art' in your dining area, hang them in a symmetrical order, keep them clean and make retro signs up for whose bike goes on what hooks. Colours - I'd paint the blue doors and the back of the roller door in a soft charcoal grey. The floor I would paint in a dark charcoal as painting concrete makes it easier to sweep out. The green is already your main accent colour and is very fitting for an outdoor space. Wheelie bins - these are generally smelly so I'd keep them in the outhouse rooms and get some bin deodorizer. Or keep outside, you can get some great covers which your partner could make up - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Woodside-Wooden-Outdoor-Wheelie-Bin-Cover-Storage-Cupboard-Screening-Unit-/201382140841?var=&hash=item2ee34f9ba9:m:mZlO8F0159y-uvQzZoux_Cg Washing - Get your partner to make up some clothes airers like these - http://pulleymaid.com/classic_clothes_airer.htm Table - I'd keep this in front of the window and pull into the middle of the room when friends are over. Buy a mix of different vintage wooden stools or chairs to give an eclectic industrial look Pots - I'd keep the plants to a couple of well looked after large tubs and keep either side of the roller door. These could be on moveable trolleys so they're easy to move if necessary. Finishing Touches - This is the fun part! Some rustic candelabras for the table, outdoor wall clock with Roman numerals, artwork could be a collection of vintage street signs, string of outdoor lights wrapped around the beams (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/37-5-Foot-S14-Outdoor-Globe-String-Lights-Set-of-25-S14-Clear-Edison-Bulbs) These are just some ideas - have fun & enjoy!

Marshalls do a nice wood effect ceramic tile that has a smooth surface, it is plank shaped and would look just as good inside as well as out.

Agreed you are probably battle weary and over thinking it. Indeed you liked previous floor which you had no input in. Laminate will give you same problem in trying to find suitable colour. I find if I cannot make a decision something is wrong with my choices and I was like you with many samples but didn’t like anything. Perhaps you need to give it a break for a while, or if it’s something you must decide soon, be open to something completely different colour wise. I imagine you are looking at similar colours that you think will work but none are, so maybe this needs to be re thought through and perhaps introduce new colour options. That’s what I did and eventually family chose as we were all getting fed up! Whilst it’s not at all what I would have said I wanted at the outset, I don’t mind it at all now and colour works well. Perhaps post images of the furniture you are trying to compliment and ask for suggestions? You can also look at different manufacturers. I find Polyflor have a good selection and particularly like their commercial and expona ranges but home ones are also good. https://www.polyflor.com/jh/products.nsf/products!open&family=lux