How to Choose the Best Flooring for Your Bathroom

Your bathroom is one of the hardest-working rooms in your home. Choosing the right flooring is an important choice you’ll want to get right. With a huge range of materials, finishes and design options on offer, it can be hard to know where to start. This guide will help you make the best choice for your home and lifestyle needs.

When it comes to choosing the right bathroom floor, it’s not just about style. The ideal flooring will be waterproof (or at least highly water-resistant), safe underfoot, easy to clean, and in keeping with the style and decor in your home. You’ll also want to consider any pets or small children when choosing your bathroom flooring. 

Our comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about bathroom flooring — from more expensive options to budget-friendly choices, including vinyl, wood, concrete, and cork. We’ll also cover design considerations such as colour and patterns, so you can feel more confident about making the right style choice for your home and lifestyle.

 

What is the Best Flooring for a Bathroom?

 

There’s no single ‘right’ choice, but we recommend flooring that is:

• Non-slip 
• Easy to clean
• Comfortable and warm
• Long-lasting 
• Low-maintenance
• Visually appealing

The best flooring for a bathroom will depend on your budget, lifestyle, mobility needs, and personal design preferences. Below, we’ll explore the safest and most practical options available.

 

Best Waterproof Bathroom Flooring 

(Great options for full wet-room or high-moisture areas)

• Safety Vinyl Flooring – a textured vinyl specifically designed for wet areas. This material has excellent slip resistance, even when the surface is soapy or damp. It's warm underfoot, and because it's fitted in large sheets, there are fewer joins where water can seep underneath and cause damage.

 

• Vinyl Plank – this naturally waterproof, slip-resistant material is low-maintenance yet very hard-wearing. It comes in both traditional plank and various tile shapes to suit your personal style preferences.

 

• Sealed Concrete – perhaps a more unusual option for your home, concrete is fully waterproof and offers a more modern style choice. It can be treated with an anti-slip finish for added safety and peace of mind.

 

Best Budget Bathroom Flooring 

 

• Textured Vinyl Sheet - a budget-friendly, waterproof, and easy-to-clean choice. As the name suggests, the built-in surface texture means it's grippy even when wet.

 

• Slip-Resistant Cushioned Vinyl - similar to sheet vinyl but with a softer, cushioned feel. The textured surface is non-slip and safe to walk on when it's wet.

 

• Non-Slip Rubber - this naturally durable material is both slip-resistant and comfortable to stand on. It's warm underfoot and available in a wide choice of colours and designs. 

 

• Painted and Sealed Concrete - an easy way to make an existing concrete floor waterproof and slip-resistant without huge expense.

 

Best Luxury Bathroom Flooring 

• Luxury Vinyl Planks - thicker, more cushioned, and available in a wide range of realistic, natural-looking finishes - a comfortable and stylish choice for your bathroom.

 

• Engineered Wood Planks - this material offers the natural warmth of wood, but with better moisture resistance thanks to a waterproof coating. It can also be treated with a non-slip finish for extra safety underfoot.

 

Best Flooring for Small Bathrooms 

 

Small spaces need some careful thought when it comes to both visual appeal and easy maintenance. With some clever visual design tricks, your bathroom can seem lighter, larger and brighter. 

Colours, patterns and finishes can make all the difference when it comes to creating a feeling of space in a smaller room.

 

• Colour Choice - a lighter coloured floor will reflect more light, making small spaces feel bigger and brighter. Dark colours have the opposite effect.

 

• Plank Width - choosing slimmer planks and laying them lengthways rather than sideways can make a small bathroom appear both longer and larger. 

 

• Patterns - a unique design can add visual interest to a small space. Arranging tiles in a unique layout - for example, herringbone, or chevron patterns - can add a sense of movement and dimension to a small bathroom floor.

 

Best Slip-Resistant Bathroom Flooring 

• Textured Safety Vinyl - this material is designed with extra grip for both wet and dry conditions, making it ideal for bathrooms. Choose a matte finish with a subtle texture to help reduce slip.

 

• Sealed Cork - naturally cushioned and warm, cork can be treated to resist moisture and provides a gentle, comfortable grip underfoot.

 

Best DIY-Friendly Bathroom Flooring 

 

• Click-Lock Vinyl Planks - these simply click together without glue, making them a good choice for more confident DIYers.

 

• Peel-and-Stick Vinyl Tiles - a stylish choice, and easy to cut and fit yourself with some simple tools. They're a great DIY option to give your bathroom an upgrade in less time.

 

• Waterproof Laminate - easy to install yourself with minimal tools, it’s specially designed for bathrooms.

 

Best Low-Maintenance Bathroom Flooring 

• Luxury Vinyl - this versatile material just needs sweeping and occasional mopping. It’s easy to lay yourself and is waterproof.

 

• Sealed Cork - naturally resistant to mould and mildew, it’s a great long-lasting choice for your bathroom.

 

These are both great choices for busy households that want fuss-free, durable flooring for the bathroom.

 

Choosing the Best Bathroom Flooring for Later Life

 

• Safety First - slip-resistance should be top priority - textured finishes are a great choice.It's best to avoid high gloss flooring as it can be more slippery underfoot, and may affect visibility with glare. Highly patterned designs can also be confusing visually.

 

• Comfortable Underfoot - softer materials reduce strain on joints and feel warmer than natural stone or concrete.

 

• Easy to Clean - smooth, joint-free surfaces are easier to sweep or mop, and so they're less physically demanding. Your bathroom cleaning will be done in no time!

 

• Mobility Aid Friendly - choose a durable, smooth surface that allows walking aids or wheelchairs to move easily without catching or snagging.

 

• Future-Proof - choosing a long-lasting, low-maintenance material will mean you don't have to worry about the expense and worry of replacing your floor frequently.

 

When it comes down to it

 

The best flooring for your bathroom is ultimately a combination of personal choice, safety, durability, comfort and ease of maintenance. 

 

Whichever material, colour or finish you choose, professional fitting can make a huge difference to both safety and longevity. With the right flooring underfoot, your bathroom can be a place of comfort, security, and peace of mind.

 

If you’re thinking about new flooring for your bathroom, why not read our straightforward guides to give you some more ideas:

 

Design Ideas - Practical and stylish layouts for safer bathrooms.

 

Walk-In Baths - Easy-access baths for comfort and safety.

 

Walk-In Showers - Step-free showering with safety features built in.

 

Making the right choice for you and your lifestyle is important. Your bathroom should be a warm and comfortable space to enjoy safely for years to come.