Bathroom flooring ideas

A bathroom floor should be easy to clean and maintain. When choosing the right flooring for your bathroom, consider how easily it will fit. For example, large-format tiles that are fashionable in small bathrooms require a lot of cutting to integrate seamlessly with sanitary-ware pipes and other pipework.

Remember that if you have a small bathroom, the same style and color can be used for flooring and walls to create the illusion of an expansive space.

Jo Oliver, director of The Stone & Ceramic Warehouse, says that bathroom tiles can be the most difficult to replace because they are subject to traffic and frequent cleaning. Investing in something that will last and be enjoyed longer makes financial sense.

Are you searching for bathroom flooring ideas? Read on to learn the pros and cons.

Bathroom Floor Tiles

The best choice for bathrooms is tile, both visually and practically. You can find a tile to suit every style and budget. The transformative effects of tiles are immediate and long-lasting. Tiles are easy to clean and maintain their beauty with a simple wipe-down.

But if you are not an expert DIYer, tiling can be a difficult job. You will also need to consider the cost. Get professional advice about the number of tiles that you will need. In case of any awkward cuts or breakages, it is a good idea to order an additional 10%. Porcelain tiles can be tough to cut.

You can choose from porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone tiles like limestone and marble. While stone is expensive, many ceramic and porcelain tiles can achieve the same look with minimal maintenance.

What is the difference between porcelain and ceramic? Ceramic tiles from red, yellow, or brown clay absorb more water than porcelain. Porcelain, which is made from white clay, is more expensive and considered finer. Its water-repelling properties make it ideal for wet rooms. However, hardwearing ceramics are suitable for most bathrooms.

Browse our new House with Beautiful porcelain flooring tiles at Homebase.

“A key trend in bathroom tiles design is a shift towards large-format tiles,” says Ben Bryden (sales and marketing director at RAK Ceramics UK). These tiles have a sleek and minimalist look and are groutless, which creates a seamless finish. Using large format tiles in a smaller bathroom is a clever design trick. This makes the space appear more prominent and easier to clean.

Jo Oliver advises you always to take a sample home to see what kind of tile you choose. Look at the tile in the area where it will be placed. It would help if you were sure that you were satisfied with the design.

Dominic Lees-Bell is the digital content manager at Drench. He suggests that a grout-matching color throughout can enhance the overall effect and make a small space seem larger.

Bathroom Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is a versatile and affordable bathroom flooring option. It comes in many styles and patterns. Vinyl is suitable for underfloor heating, a popular choice in modern bathrooms. It’s also relatively inexpensive and easy to replace compared to other types of bathroom flooring. You can use essential tools and an eco-friendly adhesive to do this yourself.

David Snazel is the buyer of hard flooring at Carpetright. Vinyl is a popular choice for families because it is safe and durable. Vinyl is exceptionally water-resistant.

Many types of vinyl that look like natural materials, such as marble or wood-plank flooring, are now available. Look for luxury vinyl flooring (LVT) at Carpetright or the LVT specialists, Amtico and Karndean.

Bathroom Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is durable, scratch resistant, and easy to maintain. However, cheaper versions are unsuitable for bathrooms because moisture can easily penetrate the surface and cause layers of melamine to separate and buckle. Also, the printed surface layer may become damaged or scratched and lifted. Vinyl flooring is an excellent option for quick and inexpensive bathroom fixes.

Instead of planks glued to any base layer, choose a system that locks together and ‘floats’ above it. This will allow for the expansion and shrinkage of the boards. Laminate is a good choice for underfloor heating. However, without it, it can feel harsh and cold, especially in larger bathrooms.

“Be careful about the laminate that you buy. You should also pay attention to details like real-life surface textures or planks with less repetition – these are signs that the laminate is not real wood floors,” says Sahin Demuynck (international PR and sponsoring manager at Quick Step).

There are also water-resistant brands available, like Quick Step’s Impressive collection. These look real and can withstand daily use in busy bathrooms.

Patterned Bathroom Flooring Tiles” Timeless Victorian-styled patterned tiles in bathrooms will not go out of style, but homeowners today are looking for something that stands out on social media. Abbas Youssefi says that patterned tiles can give your bathroom personality. We will see many new tiles bringing holiday vibes into the home. Tiles with a warm, sunny style will be at the top of the list.

For adding character, smaller tiles work best. Consider creating a border to give a bathroom a more defined edge or a rug-like feature to break up the large area.

James Stevenson, creative manager at Imperial Bathrooms, believes such ideas can be achieved using intricate patterns or a contrast crackle-glaze effect. “Our customers also use unusual shapes such as chevron and herringbone, mosaic, and elongated tile in various styles and arrangements to create a unique pattern on the floor,” Stevenson said.

The best way to maximize the visual impact of patterned tiles is by using the same tile on the floor and walls. To create a framing effect, make a corridor on your foot that leads to your favorite bathroom feature (an enclosed shower or freestanding bath). Then, continue your tiles onto the wall. This trick can also be used to lengthen smaller bathrooms.

If you want intricately patterned tiles, an encaustic finish is better than a shiny one, such as our House Beautiful porcelain tiles at Homebase. The encaustic effect makes the tiles matte and the colors soft and chalky. It can make your floor look overwhelming if you have both pattern and glaze.