Introduction
When it comes to bathroom design, flooring is often an afterthought. We tend to focus on fixtures, finishes, and decor before considering the foundation of the space – what lies underfoot. However, your bathroom flooring can make or break the overall look and feel of the room. Tired of boring, basic bathroom floors? Looking to add some style and personality? There are plenty of options available today that go far beyond basic tile and vinyl.
From natural stone and porcelain to stained concrete and glass, bathroom flooring comes in many aesthetically appealing options. Materials, patterns, textures and colors can be mixed and matched to create a custom look that matches your unique taste and style. With some thoughtful planning and design, your bathroom floors can be transformed from bland to beautiful. Read on to explore the possibilities!
Move Beyond Basic Bathroom Tile
Tile has been a go-to bathroom flooring material for good reason – it’s waterproof, easy to clean, durable and comes in a vast array of styles. However, basic white 3×3” ceramic tile can seem uninspired. If you go the tile route, look beyond basic choices:
Mix tile sizes
Combining different sizes and shapes of tile adds visual interest. Try alternating squares and rectangles, or work in smaller mosaic tiles as accents.
Use bold colors and patterns
Make a statement with an vibrant mosaic tile floor in bold colors or dynamic patterns. Geometric shapes and Moroccan-inspired patterns are trending.
Choose natural stone
Slate, travertine and marble offer earthy elegance. Each piece of stone has natural variations that give floors rich character.
Opt for longer planks
Rectangle and square tiles applied in a brickwork pattern can seem dated. Go for longer, plank-style tiles instead.
Contrast floor and wall tile
Using a different tile on the floor than the surrounding walls makes the floors a focal point. Consider texture and color contrasts.
With so many tile options available today, there are endless possibilities for creating a stylish bathroom floor!
Porcelain: A Durable Bathroom Flooring Option
Porcelain tile offers an advantage over regular ceramic tile – it’s more durable and water-resistant. As a popular choice for modern bathrooms, porcelain comes in styles ranging from stone and wood looks to sleek, minimalist designs.
- Porcelain tiles resist water absorption, making them a great choice for wet bathroom spaces. The dense composition is harder and more stain resistant than ceramic.
- Matte finishes help improve traction and slip-resistance. This is especially important for bathroom safety.
- Realistic stone and wood grain patterns mimic natural materials, like marble, travertine or oak planks. Many styles are indistinguishable from the real thing.
- Popular styles include basic white/gray colors, bright solid colors, natural stone looks, and geometric prints.
- Large-format tiles can make small bathrooms appear more expansive. Minimal grout lines provide a sleek, contemporary vibe.
- Though more expensive than ceramic, porcelain tiles stand the test of time. Proper installation results in extremely durable bathroom floors.
If an elegant, durable, water-resistant floor is what you’re after, consider installing porcelain tile. Careful cleaning and sealing will help porcelain floors maintain their beautiful finish.
Concrete Bathroom Flooring: The Industrial Trend
For a bold, urban chic vibe, concrete bathroom flooring has become popular. Often stained, etched or polished into various finishes, concrete offers distinct texture and steely sophistication.
- Stained concrete produces vibrant color effects in tones ranging from bright jewel tones to muted earth hues. The concrete absorbs the stain for long-lasting color.
- Acid-etching concrete creates mottled, stone-like effects by exposing the texture. Combining etching and staining techniques adds artistic appeal.
- Polished concrete literally smoothes and shines the surface to a glossy sheen. The smooth finish also makes the floors easier to clean.
- Concrete can be customized by embedding stones, tiles, glass aggregates or seashells while still wet for added visual intrigue.
- For a modern warehouse aesthetic, concrete can be used on floors, walls and even tub surrounds in bathroom spaces.
- Concrete staining allows you to achieve a custom, unique look that mimics natural stone. It also comes at a lower cost than natural stone materials.
Concrete flooring gives bathrooms an edgy, urban style. Stained concrete floors with radiant heating can even add warmth underfoot. If you love industrial design, concrete bath floors are a perfect fit.
Get Creative with Bathroom Floor Tile Designs and Layouts
One of the biggest advantages of tile flooring is the incredible design flexibility. Beyond choosing from the vast range of colors, sizes and materials, truly custom looks can be achieved through creative tile layouts. Here are some tile design ideas that can give your bathroom floors real wow factor:
Chevron and herringbone patterns
These classic patterns instantly add visual interest. The directional arrangement of the tiles leads the eye. For extra contrast, choose two complementary tile colors/textures.
Geometric mosaics
Planning intricate geometric designs with small mosaic tiles takes more time and skill, but the dazzling results are worth it. From zig-zags to starbursts, bold geometric floor mosaics can become a bathroom’s central focal point.
Moroccan-inspired floors
A patchwork of mixed colorful tile shapes arranged in interlocking patterns creates a vibrant Moroccan-style floor. Meticulous placement results in beautifully intricate floors.
Decorative borders
Frame rectangular tile floors with decorative mosaic, marble, or inlaid stone borders. This adds ornamental detail, brings in additional colors, and visually defines the boundaries of flooring zones.
Striped floors
Alternating strips of contrasting tile colors/textures adds a bold, graphic look. Vary the stripe widths for more interest.
Let your creativity run free – the possibilities for tile floor designs are endless. For DIYers, make sure to plan tile layouts carefully before beginning installation.
Natural Stone Bathroom Flooring
For stunning natural beauty and luxury, natural stone bathroom flooring can’t be surpassed. Materials like marble, travertine, slate, limestone and granite all bring distinct qualities:
- Marble – Elegant white and gray veins with a polished sheen. Softer than other stones so requires more sealing.
- Travertine – Beige, brown and rust colors with a pitted, textural surface. Fills provide an antiqued appearance.
- Slate – Dark charcoal color with an uneven, cleft texture. Its natural slip-resistance makes it ideal for wet areas.
- Limestone – Subtle earthy tones and textures. Works well for a beach house or cottage bathroom aesthetic.
- Granite – Speckled pattern and colorful flecks. More consistent than marble with less veins and pits.
Beyond the beauty, stone advantages include:
- Each piece has naturally occurring variations, giving stone surfaces organic uniqueness.
- The dense composition is extremely durable, outlasting trends and wear. Natural stone lasts a lifetime if properly sealed.
- Stone conveys luxury visually and literally – the feel underfoot is unlike any other flooring.
- Heated stone flooring provides both elegance and comfort for bathrooms.
Though stone flooring costs more, its unparalleled beauty and longevity make it a worthwhile long-term investment.
Gleaming Glass Bathroom Floors
For contemporary glamour, glass bathroom flooring imparts dazzling translucency and shine. Layered between two panes of tempered glass, materials like pennies, leaves, recycled denim or colorful glass aggregates create one-of-a-kind works of art underfoot.
- Illuminated glass floors showcase the materials encapsulated between two glass panes. Lighting shimmers through the clear glass layers from below.
- Thick layers of glass make these bathroom floors easy to maintain. The glass protects embedded materials from water damage or wear.
- Glass aggregate floors sparkle with bits of recycled colored glass like sea glass. Iridescent aggregates add rainbow-like reflections.
- Using meaningful found objects and artifacts preserves memories to treasure underfoot everyday. Leaves and ferns summon a sense of nature.
- Walking on a floor filled with scattered change, marbles or game pieces provides a playful sense of childhood nostalgia.
- Stamped aluminum mats or 3D relief patterns between glass form impressions that almost appear etched into the surface.
For an utterly unique bathroom flooring option, illuminated glass floors contain depths of dazzling details to discover. The glass surface can also warm up with radiant floor heating.
Wood Look Bathroom Floors
Wood flooring lends timeless beauty and natural warmth, but has not traditionally been a bathroom option due to moisture concerns. Advances in water-resistant wood-look tiles and planks now allow for stunning wood aesthetic floors even in damp bathroom environments.
- Porcelain planks replicating natural hardwood look incredibly authentic in colors, grains and textures. Names like birch, maple, oak and pine identify wood species.
- Tile plank lengths up to 48 inches provide seamless appearance of true hardwoods. Mixing plank sizes and directions adds dimensional realism.
- Grout lines designed to mimic wood grains take away a tile-like appearance. Narrow Micro-V grout with darkened grout further replicates solid hardwoods.
- Real wood veneers adhered to porcelain bases create multi-layered plank products that feel and look like true hardwood when installed.
- Water-resistance technology repels moisture penetration through the core and seams. This prevents warping, swelling and damage in bathroom spaces.
- Textured surfaces add traction. Some products have enough variation for bare feet or can be polished smooth.
Thanks to modern luxury vinyl and porcelain building advances, wood-look floors can now imitate hardwood beautifully while withstanding the bathroom environment.
Creative Bathroom Flooring Ideas
Beyond traditional options, some creative Flooring choices can turn your bathroom into a gorgeous oasis displaying your unique personality and style. Consider these inspired ideas:
Pebbles and stones
Cover the floor in smooth river pebbles or colorful stones for a natural earthy spa vibe. Durable seamless resin coats the loose aggregates for comfort and easy maintenance.
Sea glass
For beach house bathrooms, recycled sea glass chips sparkling in translucent resin create dazzling iridescent floors. The swirling colors mimic movement of ocean waves.
Driftwood planks
Barnacle-encrusted old driftwood sliced into planks introduces coastal textures. Filler seals the natural cracks between mismatched pieces.
Recycled leather
squares of recycled leather, suede or rubber convey an earthy, bohemian feel. The texture also adds sound-dampening and traction.
Bold patterns
Graphic black and white diamond, zigzag or harlequin vinyl patterns make exciting, retro-style statements.
Radiant heated floors
Heated flooring adds luxury comfort underfoot. Many flooring materials like tile, stone and resilient vinyl can be installed over radiant heating systems.
With an open mind, you’re only limited by your imagination in terms of the range of possible bathroom flooring materials and designs.
Key Considerations When Choosing Bathroom Flooring
With so many flooring options for bathrooms, keep these key considerations in mind when choosing materials:
- Moisture resistance – Floors must withstand splashing and spills. Porcelain tile and treated wood-look planks hold up well.
- Slip resistance – Look for rough textures, matte finishes and materials with enough grip, especially when wet.
- Durability – Opt for truly waterproof floors that can endure heavy usage and daily wear and tear long-term.
- Ease of cleaning – Bacteria-resistant floors like porcelain that won’t absorb spills or stains simplify maintenance.
- Comfort underfoot – Warmer materials like stone and wood feel better under bare feet than cold tile. Radiant heating also adds coziness.
- Layout/pattern – The arrangement of flooring pieces impacts the overall look. Creative designs enhance visual appeal.
- Your lifestyle – Active families may benefit from extra durable and seamless floors. Frequent entertainers can set the scene with bold patterns.
Choosing bathroom flooring that caters to your unique needs and design sensibility transforms your bath into a stylish oasis for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bathroom Flooring
What is the most waterproof bathroom flooring?
Porcelain and ceramic tile are very water-resistant and among the most waterproof bathroom flooring options, along with seamless materials like resin coatings and poured vinyl.
What flooring is best for small bathrooms?
Small bathrooms can often benefit from lighter colored flooring with small tile sizes or patterns to create the illusion of more space. Materials like reflective glass tiles also visually expand the room.
What bathroom flooring is easiest to clean?
Non-porous materials like porcelain tile, glass, and vinyl resist absorbing liquids and bacteria, making them very easy to clean and sanitize for bathrooms. Avoid porous natural stone and grouted materials which require more frequent sealing.
What bathroom flooring is the most comfortable?
Solid wood floors and heated stone or ceramic tile provide the most comfortable barefoot feel. Cork and bamboo are also naturally soft and warm. Underfloor radiant heating systems transform any flooring material into a luxuriously cozy surface.
Is it OK to put wood floors in a bathroom?
Wood floors were traditionally avoided in bathrooms due to moisture concerns causing warping, but new engineered wood-look porcelain planks replicate the beauty of wood while resisting water. Some laminate and LVT floors are also suitable, but solid hardwood is still inadvisable.
How do you waterproof bathroom flooring?
Choose inherently waterproof bathroom flooring like porcelain tile, glass, resin coatings, and vinyl that will stand up to splashes. If installing a more porous material like wood or laminate, use water-tight installation methods and caulk all joints to prevent moisture penetration below.
Should bathroom flooring match walls?
Matching floor and wall tile can look dated. Contrasting floor and wall colors/textures adds interest and helps make the floors a focal point. Tying floor and wall materials together just through color is a more integrated look.
How can I warm up cold bathroom floors?
Beyond choosing naturally warmer materials like wood or stone, radiant floor heating transforms any bathroom floor material into a cozy surface. Electric and hydronic systems can be installed beneath most flooring types.
What flooring is easiest for a DIY bathroom remodel?
For DIY-friendly bathroom flooring, luxury vinyl tiles float over existing floors for quick installation. Peel-and-stick vinyl and self-adhesive cork tiles also avoid complicated prep. Snap-together floating porcelain planks lock securely.
How can I make my boring bathroom floors more stylish?
Replace basic white tiles with bolder natural stone, vibrant glass mosaics or dynamic patterned tiles. Staining concrete floors is also cost-effective. Refinishing and staining worn floors like laminate gives new visual appeal. Switching layouts and adding decorative accents also revamps existing floors.
Conclusion
Bathroom flooring plays an integral yet underappreciated role in the overall room design. While basic floors get overlooked, they can actually provide exciting opportunities to inject more personality and style.
Whether you prefer the sleek elegance of polished porcelain, the bold attitude of patterned geometrics, the zen tranquility of natural pebble stone, or the industrial edge of etched concrete, today’s vast range of options go far beyond boring and basic.
By thoughtfully considering your lifestyle, space and interior aesthetic, you can choose bathroom floors that match your unique vision. Visual interest, texture, durability and water-resistance should all be weighed when deciding on materials and layouts.
No matter your project budget or DIY skill level, it’s simple to ditch the dreary floors of old for fresh new style underfoot. Just a few upgraded bathroom flooring choices can entirely transform your bath into a magazine-worthy oasis. When it comes to bathrooms, fun, funky floors should no longer be an afterthought!
