7 best bathroom flooring ideas for your home
By Kirstyn Kellogg•Last updated Jul 15, 2022
Last updated Jul 15, 2022
Naturally, the bathroom floor is an exceptional multitasker in the home. Not only does it need to be aesthetically pleasing and express a style statement, but (ideally) it should be easy to keep clean and warm underfoot. The best bathroom floors are also non-slip and resistant to water to ensure the safety of your loved ones.
If you’re thinking about remodeling your bathroom or upgrading your flooring, use this guide to learn about the best bathroom flooring options that will meet and exceed your needs.
Things to consider when choosing bathroom flooring
Before we jump into flooring options, it’s important to understand the key factors that should guide your research. Here are the top considerations to keep in mind when deciding which type of flooring is best for your bathroom.
Durability
Your bathroom flooring should be highly durable to avoid the cost of constant or major repairs. Bathroom repairs can be a major inconvenience, so choose a floor that can withstand normal wear and tear. Some of the best flooring options are resistant to several kinds of damage, including stains and chemicals.
Ease of installation
The best bathroom flooring should be easy, quick, and affordable to install, especially if you plan to DIY this project.
If you don’t plan to install the flooring yourself, make sure you hire a professional with plenty of experience installing bathroom floors. There will be a time when you need repairs and maintenance, but your first issue shouldn’t come from improper installation.
Comfort
Your bathroom flooring should feel warm and comfortable underfoot. Even the most durable flooring can be less appealing if it makes you dread stepping on it because it’s too cold. The right flooring option should insulate well so it doesn’t feel too cold when you step on it.
Color and style
It’s also crucial to pick a flooring option that reflects your style. Today’s flooring choices typically offer an endless range of colors and design selections. Before choosing a color, consider the dominant colors in the rest of your décor.
If you love unique designs, go for custom tiles that elevate your bathroom’s aesthetics. You can also choose textured vinyl with a wood grain for a look similar to natural materials. Another great option is wood-look laminate that gives your bathroom the beauty of hardwood.
Maintenance demands
If low maintenance is a top priority, install bathroom flooring that wipes clean easily and won’t leave stains behind. You may consider resilient and low-maintenance options, such as tile flooring that lasts a long time without routine care. Another great option is vinyl flooring. Vinyl is not only water-resistant, but it’s also easy to keep looking beautiful.
Water resistance
Bathroom floors are typically exposed to a lot of moisture. As you search for the best bathroom flooring, make sure the material you choose is water- and humidity-resistant. This means avoiding materials like hardwood, which warps and becomes damaged when exposed to water and humidity. Excellent choices in this category include waterproof vinyl and tile.
Budget
Your budget is also a critical factor, especially if you’re planning to improve multiple bathrooms. Some options that can fit into most budgets include tile (ceramic and porcelain) and vinyl flooring. Laminate flooring can also be an excellent alternative, since it offers a wide range of colors and styles while staying low cost.
7 best bathroom flooring ideas you should consider
Now that you understand the key factors, let’s dive into the best bathroom flooring options to consider.
1. Ceramic tile
Ceramic tile is one of the most popular flooring options for bathrooms. It’s impervious to moisture and highly resistant to stains, making it an excellent option for bathrooms that get a lot of traffic. Ceramic tiles also come in a wide range of colors and designs to match your décor preferences. Because tile sizes range from tiny mosaic to large format, you can choose from many installation patterns to achieve a sleek, luxurious look. Lastly, you can make ceramic tile floors more comfortable underfoot by adding radiant or heated tile underneath.
2. Porcelain tile
Porcelain tile is another ideal choice for bathroom floors. These tiles are dense and less porous than ceramic, offering greater water and stain resistance. Porcelain tiles are also highly resistant to wear and last for a long time.
Porcelain also offers excellent design versatility. You can choose custom options that mimic many natural stone materials such as granite and limestone. Newer designs boast sleeker surfaces that mirror fabric, leather, and animal prints. And like ceramic tile, porcelain also works well with radiant heat.
3. Natural stone tile
When properly installed, sealed and cared for, natural stone is an excellent option for your bathroom floors. From marble and granite to slate and travertine, natural stone tiles can hold up well in your bathroom.
Natural stone tiles offer unmatched beauty and durability that homeowners love. With natural stone, you also have unique design options that let you create an elegant bathroom that suits your specific tastes and feels exclusive. Natural stone can also last a lifetime and boost your home’s curb appeal.
4. Vinyl
Waterproof vinyl is an excellent option for your bathroom. Vinyl combines durability, scratch resistance, and waterproof features to provide functional bathroom flooring that can serve you for decades. Vinyl can also be customized to look like wood planks, stone, and even ceramic tile, giving you more décor options at a lower cost.
Waterproof vinyl is typically less expensive than stone or hardwood, which is why many homeowners use it in bathrooms and other rooms. Vinyl also comes in rolls that are easy to install.
5. Engineered wood
If you want wood floors in your bathroom, choose engineered wood over solid wood. Engineered wood can be an incredibly stable and durable floor. Compared with solid wood, engineered wood holds up better against humidity, and it can be a great option if you’re looking for a bathroom floor that works with underfloor heating. The warm and inviting feeling that engineered flooring provides is always great to have in the bathroom.
6. Laminate
Laminate flooring is a less costly alternative to hardwood flooring. It’s easy to install and maintain, and it adds style and warmth to your bathroom. It offers wood-like appearances and comes in various styles, colors, stains, textures, and patterns. Laminate flooring is also highly resistant to scratches, dents, and stains.
7. Concrete
Concrete flooring is another option that works well in the bathroom. Like ceramic tile, concrete flooring is easy to clean and can’t be damaged by water easily. This flooring option is ideal for homes with slab foundations or basements where the floor already has a 4- to 8-inch concrete slab resting directly on the soil.
If you’re looking for a high-quality finish, the concrete slab can be polished, painted, stained, or top coated to create a distinct and attractive floor. You can also use various dyeing and acid-etching methods to give your concrete floor a unique and stylish finish.
Popular bathroom flooring trends for layout and design
A bathroom update is one of the best ways to increase your home’s value. An effective way to keep your bathroom current is by staying on top of popular bathroom design and layout trends. For example:
- Color: You have many color options for your bathroom floors. Some of the most popular colors include blonde, cool blue, gray, black, and white.
- Layouts and patterns: Bathroom flooring layouts are getting bolder and more dynamic. Some trendy options include herringbone, chevron, subway, hexagon, wide plank, large format, and geometric.
- Texture and finishes: Your options can include matte, smooth, hand-scraped, wire-brushed, distressed, and textured or non-slip finishes.
Find pros to replace or install your bathroom floors
Instead of just being a functional space, turn your bathroom into an oasis of wellness and the perfect personal escape. Professionals on Thumbtack can help.
It’s always best to consult a professional when replacing your bathroom floors. A DIY bathroom remodel is often fun and a great way to develop new skills, but you may need a pro’s expertise to achieve the look you want. Use Thumbtack to find skilled bathroom flooring professionals who have honed their craft and are better equipped to install your dream bathroom floor.
How it works.
Search.
Browse profiles, see prices and use filters to find pros who match your project.
Chat.
Contact the pros you like to discuss project details.
Hire.
Check pro availability and book appointments right in the app.
Find local pros for your project
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll show you pros right for the job, with prices.