If you’re growing tired of the same old bathroom aesthetic, it’s time to make a change. Changing your bathroom flooring is one of the most effective ways to transform your bathroom space into a warm, inviting, and truly enviable room.
However, when you’re considering changing aesthetics, there’s plenty to consider, from your own personal preferences to practicalities and safety.
After all, there’s going to be water everywhere, so the last thing you want is a floorspace that retains moisture or leaks.
So, to help you on your journey, we’ve compiled this list of the best flooring ideas for your home, including their pros and cons, comfort and cleanliness ratings, and more.
So, without further ado, here are the best bathroom flooring ideas you should consider for your renovation.
The Best Bathroom Flooring Ideas To Consider For 2023
In need of some inspiration? Here are the best bathroom flooring ideas you should consider for 2023.
Vinyl Or Linoleum Flooring
If you’re looking for a stylish, budget-friendly flooring idea, why not opt for vinyl? Vinyl is a popular choice for most homeowners, and it offers a stain-proof, waterproof, and easy-to-clean alternative to other options.
Vinyl or linoleum flooring usually comes in a quality sheet-like option, which makes it more durable and practical than peel-and-stick tiles which can often split or raise up from the floor and encourage water to seep through.
Best of all, most vinyl flooring can be installed yourself, and it comes in thousands of design options, so you’re sure to find something to suit your own aesthetic.
There are two kinds of vinyl to choose from: stone plastic composite (SPC), and wood plastic composite (WPC), and both are completely waterproof.
However, wood plastic composite is often the preferred choice, and it’s considered thicker, more durable, and more flexible, making for easy installation.
However, if you have little to no DIY experience, you may want professional assistance when installing your vinyl or linoleum flooring.
Pros
Waterproof and durable
Cost-effective option for those working on a budget
Fire and water resistant, for your safety and peace of mind
Easily installed and easy to replace
Can be found in multiple color and texture alternatives
Cons
Needs a completely smooth, perfect subfloor for easy application
Can fade and wear over time
If there are bumps and imperfections in the subfloor, they will show through in the vinyl surface
Cork Bathroom Flooring
Next up, we have a more unusual option – cork bathroom flooring. Cork flooring is made from bark, making it an environmentally friendly, renewable option for more eco-conscious bathroom renovators.
To enhance the durability of your cork flooring, you may want to choose a polyurethane topcoat to protect it against moisture and spillages.
Cork flooring is resistant to water and mold, making it a practical option for your bathroom. And also has a soft, non-slip surface and comes in a variety of unique patterns, which make it a great look in most minimalist bathrooms.
However, cork flooring can require more maintenance than other options, and you’ll need to recoat it every few years to keep it water and mold resistant.
Many renovators will opt for glue-down cork tiles, which can come furnished or unfurnished. These planks are simply clicked in place and are effective at preventing water from seeping through the cracks.
However, even with glue-down tiles, cork flooring installation can be difficult, and is often best left to professionals.
Pros
Renewable and environmentally friendly, great for eco-conscious renovators
Mold and water-resistant, making it a practical choice for most bathrooms
Has a pleasant, smooth texture that also offers insulation against sound and heat
Different design options
Cons
Cork flooring can scratch easily
Requires professional installation
Needs more maintenance than other flooring options
Bamboo Bathroom Flooring
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Want another environmentally friendly option to explore? Let’s take a look at bamboo bathroom flooring. Bamboo flooring is made from a conscious, sustainable material that’s not just good for the environment, but it’s good for your wallet, too.
Bamboo flooring offers a similar aesthetic to hardwood for just a fraction of the price, and engineered bamboo is durable and practical, making it ideal for wet, moist environments.
Although bamboo isn’t 100% waterproof, it’s still considered more water-resistant than regular wood flooring, and it doesn’t require frequent sanding or polishing.
Most bamboo flooring is treated with an abundance of water-resistant chemicals, which makes it a pretty durable and reliable alternative for bathroom installation.
If you have some DIY experience, you may find bamboo flooring easy to install. However, this flooring can scratch easily, so you’ll need to pay extra care and attention when installing it and moving furniture. We’d advise using protector pads to preserve the floor.
Pros
Water resistant, durable, and mold resistant
Easy installation, even with limited DIY experience
Environmentally friendly
Cons
If it’s not treated correctly, there’s a greater risk of mold growth if your bathroom is too humid
More susceptible to scratching
May be more prone to fading
Ceramic And Porcelain Floor Tiles
Now, let’s take a look at one of the most popular bathroom flooring ideas: ceramic and porcelain floor tiles. If there’s one thing you should know about this flooring, it’s that it’s timeless.
There are few flooring materials that have stood the test of time as strongly as these options; stylish, cost-effective, and practical, it’s hard to go wrong.
Their hard, soft surface means that they don’t attract allergens, dirt, or dust, and any debris that does land on the surface is easy to spot and wipe away. So, if you have allergies or asthma, ceramic and porcelain floor tiles may be the best choice for you.
These tiles also have a rich, solid texture that’s completely waterproof, and rather inexpensive when compared to other materials.
Although we’re discussing ceramic and porcelain interchangeably, there are a few differences. Porcelain tiles are a part of the same family, however, they usually have a water absorption rate of less than 0.5 percent.
Porcelain is also made from clay fired at higher temperatures than ceramic, which means it’s often considered to be more durable.
Whatever option you’re going for, you’ll be pleased to know that both ceramic and porcelain floor tiles come in a variety of designs, so you’ll be hard-pressed to find something that doesn’t suit your aesthetic.
However, unless you have significant DIY experience, you may need professional help when it comes to installing your flooring, especially if your underfloor is uneven.
Pros
One of the most practical options because it’s easy to clean and maintain. This also makes it a great choice for those suffering from allergies
Multiple design choices available
Has a high resale value
Resistant to moisture and mold
Cons
Feels cold underfoot
Can be slippery when wet
Maintaining the areas between the joints can be challenging
Laminate Bathroom Flooring
If you haven’t found your dream bathroom flooring yet, don’t worry; we still have plenty of options for you to choose from! Next on our list is laminate bathroom flooring.
Although you’ll usually find laminate in living spaces and hallways, it’s also becoming an increasingly popular option in bathrooms.
Laminate flooring is durable, practical, and can give your bathroom a natural look and feel, that’s extremely low maintenance.
Laminate flooring is made from resin paper placed over a chipboard base, and it can give the appearance of real wood, but without the feel of it.
Laminate flooring is also extremely versatile, and available in a variety of colors and styles. So, whether you want a dark wood appeal, light oak, or something else, you’re sure to find it in laminate.
Laminate is a durable option for your bathroom. It’s entirely scratch and stain resistant, however, when it comes into prolonged contact with water, the laminate can swell and will require repairs.
However, once it’s fitted, laminate slots together well and leaves few exposed creases. This makes it easy to clean off any water without the risk of it seeping below the laminate and causing invisible swelling.
Pros
Comes in a variety of designs, many of which mimic the appearance of real wood
Easy to install; if you have some DIY experience, you may not even need a professional to assist you
Cost-effective and cheaper than other flooring materials
Cons
If water spillages and leaks aren’t fixed immediately, you could be looking at some expensive repairs
Can be slippery when wet
Natural Stone Flooring
Next up we have another timeless option: natural stone flooring. If it’s luxury you’re after, it’s hard to go wrong with natural stone flooring. Be warned, though, this option isn’t exactly budget-friendly, and it’s not as waterproof as other materials.
There are plenty of natural stone flooring materials to choose from, including limestone, travertine, slate, granite, basalt, and quartzite.
Softer stones such as limestone also require more maintenance than other flooring materials, and they’ll usually need to be resurfaced every few years.
However, harder stones like granite and marble can be installed and do not need any further intervention for as long as five years.
Stone floors are notoriously cold and slippery, however, if you have a larger budget, installing a heating system can provide a solution.
One of the biggest benefits of stone flooring is its durability. Stone flooring has been used in homes for centuries, however, more artificial materials such as marble are more susceptible to wear and tear.
To improve the practicality of your stone flooring, we’d recommend giving it a waterproof treatment with chemical compounds to protect the material from water and humidity.
This will require professional intervention, as will the installation process, which can be notoriously complex.
Pros
Incredibly durable
Luxurious look and feel
Easy to clean and maintain
Has a high resale value
Cons
Expensive to install
Requires professional installation
Some stone materials are more easily damaged than others and will require more frequent maintenance
Concrete
Need more options? Here’s another to consider: concrete. Concrete, usually installed in the form of concrete floor coverings, can give your bathroom a more modern or industrial feel.
It also offers many of the same benefits as a ceramic tile: it’s easy to clean, easy to maintain, durable, and water resistant.
Concrete flooring has evolved dramatically, and now, you can choose from texture concrete, and even dyed or acid-stained options, so your concrete floor doesn’t have to be bland and one-dimensional.
With more design choices than ever on offer, you can easily find a style of concrete floor to show off your personality and make your bathroom more appealing.
When treated correctly, concrete floors offer unparalleled water resistance and durability. Concrete floor coverings are almost 100% water resistant, require minimal maintenance, and have an extremely long life, even those available in different design options.
Unfortunately, because concrete and ceramic are so similar, they also have many of the same drawbacks, one of the biggest being that concrete is particularly cold and slippery.
So, if you’re set on this option, you may want to consider your comfort and the efficacy of your heating systems first.
Pros
Concrete flooring has a long life and requires minimal maintenance
Water and moisture resistant, with minimal chance of mold growth
Will give your bathroom a unique, modern edge that has a similar luxury feel to stone flooring, but without the hefty price tag
Cons
Can be difficult to install and will always require professional assistance
Can be cold and slippery compared to other options
May stain and crack with time, and will often require fairly frequent polishing and maintenance
Engineered Wood
If stone and concrete aren’t for you, let’s take a look at another popular option: engineered wood. Engineered wood, usually sold as engineered wood panels, is a popular option for many bathroom renovators.
These stylish panels are often more waterproof and moisture-resistant than solid wood, and because they have an upper layer of real wood, they have a more authentic wooden appearance than other options.
So, if you want ‘wooden’ flooring that looks like the real deal (without the same issues), engineered wood may be the right choice for you.
Although many people consider solid boards, we’d always recommend engineered wood, instead. This multi-layered option creates a practical, stable, and robust surface that limits movement on the floor, and provides more durability.
If you use solid boards, the ever-changing temperature and humidity in your bathroom is more likely to cause the kind of movement that engineered flooring can withstand.
Although your engineered wood will be treated, the truth is, wood products are always more susceptible to damage – especially water damage.
While your engineered wood will be able to cope with the occasional post-shower puddle, you should avoid leaving standing water on it for too long, as this can quickly erode the surface. However, engineered wood is still reliably moisture resistant, so with care and attention, it can be a great addition to your bathroom.
Pros
Has a popular, warm, real-wood appearance
Moisture resistant and suits most bathroom aesthetics
Cons
Not entirely waterproof, and is likely to decay fast if exposed to continuous puddles of standing water
Requires more maintenance than other types of flooring
Can be more expensive than other options
Linoleum (Sheets & Tile)
Linoleum flooring, often called lino, is a type of material composed of linseed oil, sawdust, cork, limestone, jute, pine, and rosin. Linoleum is a popular material used for flooring in a variety of rooms, including bathrooms.
However, although linoleum is widely considered to be water-resistant, it’s not entirely waterproof. So, if your flooring has multiple joints, it may be more susceptible to water damage.
If you’d like the same look and feel as vinyl, without as many of the issues, lino is a great choice. Lino offers an almost identical appearance to vinyl, but it’s considered more durable and practical.
Linoleum is also softer and warmer underfoot than other alternatives like laminate, and it’s extremely easy to clean, making it practical, hygienic, and great for those with allergies.
If you’re looking for flooring you can install yourself, good news: lino is pretty simple. Although it requires a bit of prep work and the odd finishing touch, it’s perfectly feasible to install lino without professional help, especially if you’ve done DIY work before.
This makes lino an even more cost-effective solution for your bathroom.
Pros
Made from 100% natural materials, great for eco-conscious buyers
Hygienic, practical, and naturally anti-bacterial
Flexible and durable alternative to other flooring materials
Resistant against staining and easy to clean
Cons
If you don’t have a completely smooth subfloor, you may need a professional to help
What Bathroom Flooring Should You Avoid?
By now, you’ll have plenty of stylish, practical, and affordable options to style your bathroom floor with. However, if you’re still looking for more options, we’re going to show you which materials you should NOT be considering for your floor.
Don’t make an expensive mistake – keep reading to discover which materials to avoid during your renovation.
Carpet
Not everyone enjoys stepping out onto a cold, hard floor after a warm bath or shower. So, it makes sense why many renovators would think carpet is a practical solution for a bathroom.
However, the general consensus is this: keep carpet well away from your bathroom floors. Seriously. Don’t even consider it!
Sure, you may be tempted by a warm, fluffy underfoot and a plush appearance, but carpet is incredibly unhygienic in a bathroom, especially around the toilet.
Carpet isn’t easy to clean or disinfect, and it’s far more prone to staining. Goodness knows how many germs you’d find in a bathroom carpet!
You also need to consider practicality – carpet doesn’t dry quickly. There’s going to be a fair amount of water in your bathroom; one post-shower puddle could take hours to dry on the carpet, whereas, on another material, it could be wiped away and dried in an instant.
This also increases the risk of mold buildup, which no one wants to contend with.
If you want a close alternative, we’d recommend treating yourself to a soft rug or floor mat that you can place on top of your hard flooring. If it gets wet, leave it to dry on a radiator or outdoors, and be sure to wash it regularly to keep it hygienic.
Non-Waterproof Laminate
If you want laminate flooring, do your research. Waterproof laminate can be a great addition to a bathroom space, but if you accidentally choose a non-waterproof option, you could end up with more problems than you bargained for.
If water seeps beneath the cracks, non-waterproof laminate will warp and swell extremely quickly. This will ruin the appearance of your floor and require professional intervention almost immediately if you want to save it.
So, if you’re considering laminate, talk to a professional to avoid making a costly mistake.
Hardwood
Hardwood may look pretty, but it’s not the most practical option for your bathroom. Even if it has a quality top coating, hardwood can fail to protect against moisture build-up; so, even the slightest bit of moisture can seep in between the wood planks and slowly cause them to rot.
The worst thing about this process is that it happens slowly, and often beneath the surface, so most of the damage is invisible until it becomes almost irreparable. This can lead to extremely costly repairs, and even further damage to your home.
If you want to mimic the appearance of hardwood, we’d recommend waterproof dark laminate. It may not feel the same, but it’s the closest you’ll get appearance-wise, without as many of the issues.
How To Choose The Right Flooring
Ready to start exploring your options? Before you head off to buy your materials, let’s take a look at some of the most important things you’ll need to consider when choosing your new flooring.
Waterproof
This is THE most important consideration – please, please make sure you’re using a waterproof material. Bathrooms are exposed to extremely high levels of moisture, so avoid any materials that are susceptible to water damage or warping with humidity.
Vinyl is often the most popular choice, and with the right care and attention, it can last for years.
Make It A Bit Of You
Unfortunately, when it comes to putting your own stamp on things, many people neglect their bathrooms. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking this is merely just a practical space that’s not worth the effort – make your bathroom a reflection of your own sense of style, starting with your flooring.
Plenty of the materials on this list are versatile and customizable, so you’ll be able to pick from plenty of beautiful options that are classy, stylish, and very you.
Whether you want something neutral or with a vibrant pattern, it’s never been easier to choose a flooring that can inject a bit of life into your bathroom.
Maintenance
We’d recommend choosing a material that’s low maintenance and easy to clean. Although some materials like hardwood and tile can look incredible, they’ll require a lot more upkeep which many don’t have the time or patience for.
Choose something that doesn’t pick up as much dirt or debris, and if you can, choose a naturally antibacterial material to keep it hygienic.
Final Thoughts
Your bathroom is more than just a bathroom. It’s a place you go to clean off, relax and unwind after a hard day, and just like any other room in the house, it deserves to have a clean, stylish appearance that reflects your personality.
Choosing the right flooring can make an undisputable difference.
If you’ve been struggling to know which materials are right for your bathroom, we hope we’ve helped you narrow down your options, and bought you a step closer to creating your dream bathroom.
Remember: style is important, but safety and practicality are imperative. Don’t be tempted to choose a material just based on its appearance; making sure it’s waterproof, low maintenance, and durable are absolutely essential to creating your dream bathroom.
Hi, I’m John Whitford, and I work as a tradesman. Having specialized in plumbing for over 15 years, I’ve worked in a number of environments, but my biggest business is for those who need help with day to day plumbing tasks in their homes.
I started AMDorm.com to provide handy information, advice and how-to guides to help others turn their homes into the house of their dreams!
