For me, having a brand new bathroom would be a very exciting prospect. However, there are lots of decisions that need to be made when it comes to buying, installing and decorating a new bathroom, not least of all the flooring. It’s important to choose the right type of flooring for the bathroom while still keeping in mind affordability and durability.

What Is The Best Type Of Flooring For A Bathroom?

While it may be easy to picture your dream bathroom in your mind, in reality, it might not be practical. For example, having carpet in a bathroom can make feel both cosy and luxurious but probably isn’t the best idea if you have small children who like to splash about.

In this post, I am going to look at some of the best, most practical and most budget-friendly options for your new bathroom floor.

 1. Vinyl

While people typically used to think Vinyl was cheap and not durable, it has improved loads in recent years. It comes in three main forms – sheet, tile or plank. Vinyl is one of the best options if you are on a tight budget with your bathroom as it’s one of the most cost-effective floor coverings. There are also lots of styles and patterns to choose from, meaning it should easily fit with whatever type of bathroom suit you are planning.

Vinyl is also waterproof so is an excellent choice if you have splashy young children. Vinyl flooring is really easy to install yourself and easy to replace at a later date if it becomes damaged or if you fancy a change.

2. Rubber Flooring

Rubber flooring works well in bathrooms as it is durable, waterproof and easy to keep clean. If you are worried about someone who may be prone to having a fall, then a rubber floor is a great solution as it provides a much softer landing than tiles or laminate flooring.

3. Tiles

Bathroom tiles come in two main types – porcelain or ceramic.

Tiles are a brilliant bathroom option for lots of reasons. They come in lots of colours, patterns shapes and sizes. They are waterproof and easy to clean.  You can even get tiles that are designed to look like stone or wood.

There are, however, some drawbacks too. Tiles can be slippery when wet and can be quite cold underfoot too. If you choose tile then you may wish to install underfloor heating, which is of course an additional cost that you may not have budgeted for. Alternatively, you could add a rug on bathroom mats to create a cosier, warmer feel.

To prevent slipping, use a smaller tile as the grout helps make the surface as a whole less slippery.

Tiles aren’t the most comfortable to stand on, so if you spend a long time standing in the bathroom grooming, they may not be the best option for you.

4. Laminate Flooring

Laminate flooring is another good budget option for the bathroom and is also easy to install yourself. However, truly waterproof laminate flooring doesn’t yet exist, so there is always a small risk of water seeping through and the wood chip underneath bubbling and causing problems.

This isn’t an option I would recommend for those with young children as a laminate that has been damaged by water cannot be repaired, only replaced which of course will cause further expense.

Related Post: Waterproof Laminate Flooring: Is There Such a Thing?

Should I have a Carpet In The Bathroom?

Carpet is probably best avoided in the bathroom. It can take a long time to dry out, especially as the bathroom is such a small room. If you absolutely must have carpet, man-made fibres such as nylon and a low pile work best.

6 Ideas For Adding A Touch of Luxury To Your Bathroom

What About Hardwood Flooring?

Solid hardwood flooring is another type of flooring that should be avoided in the bathroom. It has very little protection against moisture and therefore can be prone to rotting if used in the bathroom.