The bathroom floor is an incredible multitasker and high-traffic area of your home. You want the bathroom floor to match your decor and lifestyle, but also for it to be easy to clean, and in some cases, warm underfoot. Ideal bathroom floors are non-slip and resistant to water to ensure the safety of your family. If you’re thinking of remodelling your bathroom or upgrading your flooring, you may want to follow this guide to figure out the best bathroom flooring choices that will meet your needs. In this article we will discuss the things to consider when choosing bathroom flooring and popular bathroom flooring trends for your layout and design.
Things To Consider When Choosing Bathroom Floors
Here are the considerations to keep in mind when choosing the floor for your bathroom.
Durability
Bathroom flooring should be durable to avoid constant and major repairs. Bathroom floor repairs can be an inconvenience, so choose the flooring that can withstand wear and tear. Some types of floors are resistant to damage and abuse, such as stains and chemicals.
Ease Of Installation
The best bathroom flooring should be quick, easy, and inexpensive to install, especially if you plan to DIY your flooring installation.
If you are planning on having a professional install your flooring, be sure to hire one that has experience in bathroom floors. Inevitably, there will come a time when you need repairs and maintenance. The first issue that arises shouldn’t be due to incorrect installation.
Comfort
If you do have the choice, your bathroom flooring should be warm and comfortable for your feet. Flooring becomes less appealing when it’s cold, so choose a flooring option that insulates heat so it doesn’t get too cold when you step on it.
Colour And Style
Pick a flooring option that reflects your style. Modern flooring options usually present an endless array of colours and styles. Before choosing a colour for your flooring, consider the dominant colours that suit your decor.
If you like unique styles, then you’ll want to choose custom tiles that bring out the bathroom aesthetics. You can also choose textured vinyl floors that are made with a wood grain, giving it a feel similar to natural floor materials. A wood-look laminate can give your bathroom the look of hardwood floors.
Maintenance
For low-maintenance floors, install floors that can be cleaned easily and won’t leave stains. You may want to consider resilient and low-maintenance flooring. For example, tile flooring can last for very long without routine maintenance. Another low-maintenance flooring option is vinyl flooring. Vinyl flooring is water resistant and easy to maintain to keep looking as good as new.
Water Resistance
Bathroom floors are exposed to the most moisture, so it’s important to choose a flooring material that is water and humidity-resistant. Avoid flooring materials like hardwood, which will warp and damage if exposed to water or humidity. Porcelain tiles and waterproof vinyl floors are the best options in this category.
Budget
Your budget is a vital factor, particularly if you’re planning to remodel multiple bathrooms. Budget-friendly options include ceramic and porcelain tiles, and vinyl flooring. Check out our posts on tips for cleaning porcelain tiles and cleaning vinyl flooring – these might help make your decisions easier. Laminate flooring can also be a great alternative – it comes in a wide range of styles and colours and is generally low cost.
7 Best Bathroom Flooring Ideas
Now that you know the key factors to consider, let’s look at the best flooring options for your bathroom.
1. Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tile is one of the most popular bathroom flooring options. It is resistant to moisture and stains and ideal for bathrooms that have high traffic. Ceramic tiles come in a wide range of designs, colours, and styles to meet your decor needs. Tile sizes range from small mosaics to large, and you can choose to install them in a wide range of patterns to get an exciting, luxurious look. You can also make ceramic tiles comfortable underfoot by laying radiant or heat tiles underneath.
2. Porcelain Tile
Porcelain tiles are dense and less porous than ceramic, providing more water and stain resistance. Porcelain tiles are highly resistant to wear and tear, and last for years. Porcelain offers design versatility – you can choose custom options that mimic granite and limestone. Newer designs boast sleek surfaces that can mirror fabric, leather, and animal prints. Porcelain tiles can also work with radiant heat.
3. Natural Stone Tile
When correctly installed, sealed and cared for, natural stone is a great option for your bathroom floors. Marble, granite, slate, and travertine natural stone tiles can hold up well in your bathroom.
Natural stone tiles boast unmatched durability and beauty. Natural stone allows you to create top-notch bathroom flooring that matches your taste. Natural stone can last a lifetime and boost your home’s curb appeal.
4. Vinyl
Waterproof vinyl is one of the best options for your bathroom. Vinyl combines durability, scratch resistance, and waterproof properties to provide functional bathroom flooring that lasts for decades. Vinyl can be customised to look like wood planks, stone, and ceramic tile, providing you with more decor options at a lower cost.
Waterproof vinyl is typically not as expensive as stone or hardwood, which makes it an ideal choice for bathrooms and other rooms. Vinyl usually comes in rolls that are easy to install.
5. Engineered Wood
Choose engineered hardwood over solid wood if you want wooden floors in your bathroom. Engineered wood can be durable and stable. Compared to solid wood, engineered wood holds up better against humidity, and if you’re looking for flooring that provides underfloor heating, engineered wood is a great option. The warm and inviting feeling that engineered flooring provides is ideal for your bathroom.
6. Laminate
Laminate flooring is an inexpensive option for a similar presence to hardwood flooring. It can be easily installed and maintained and adds style and warmth to your bathroom. It boasts wood-like appearances and comes in a variety of styles, colours, stains, textures and patterns. Laminate flooring is highly resistant to scratches, dents, and stains. Here are some tips to help you clean laminate flooring.
7. Concrete
Concrete flooring is another option that works well in the bathroom. Like ceramic tiles, concrete flooring is easy to clean and can’t be easily damaged by water. This option is ideal for homes with slab foundations or basements where the floor has 4 to 8 inches of concrete slab resting directly on the soil.
If you want a high-quality finish, the concrete slab can be painted, polished, stained or top-coated to provide a distinct, attractive floor. Various dying and acid etching methods can also give concrete floors a unique finish.
Bathroom Flooring Trends
A bathroom upgrade is one of the best ways to boost your home’s value. An effective way to keep your bathroom current is by staying on top of bathroom design and layout trends.
- Colour: you have an array of options when choosing bathroom flooring. Popular colours include cool blue, grey, black and white.
- Layouts and patterns: bathroom flooring layouts are getting bolder and more dynamic. Some trendy options include geometric, subway, hexagon and more.
- Texture and finishes: Your options include matte, smooth, hand-scraped, wire-brushed, distressed, and textured or non-slip textures and finishes.
Instead of only being a functional space, your bathroom can become an oasis and the best personal escape. It’s always best to consult with a professional when installing new bathroom floors. A DIY bathroom floor remodel can be fun and a good way to develop skills, but you may want to consider hiring a pro with the skills needed to achieve the style you want.
If you need bathroom or floor cleaning, you can book a professional home service with SweepSouth.
