Flooring demands a far more practical approach in a bathroom than almost any other room in a house; what you’re walking (and, inevitably, dripping) onto has to be durable, hygienic and at least mostly waterproof to offset the likelihood of mould or damp setting in. It also has to be safe, if you value keeping your bones intact whenever you step in or out of the bath or shower.
At the same time, a poor choice in material or design can ruin the whole space, leaving it looking cheap or dated (picture the ugliest bathroom you know of, and tell us it doesn’t send a shiver down your spine). Certain materials require more maintenance than others and will age more slowly, while specific patterns and designs like herringbone and chequerboard can add complexity and detail to an otherwise utilitarian room.
With a range of practical and aesthetic questions, knowing where to start and what to consider carefully is essential. We spoke to a series of experts whose advice has you covered if you’re facing the tricky choice of how to floor your bathroom.
What materials are best for a bathroom?
Naturally, there are benefits to all the common materials used in bathroom flooring – and occasional drawbacks depending on how and how often you use it, and how you might want it to look (not to mention your budget).
“The floor to a bathroom is one of the essential materials which will help set the mood of the space,” explains James Lentaigne, creative director at Drummonds. “When you walk into a bathroom, it’s not just visual, but tangible: more often than not, you will be barefoot, and the feel of the space starts with the floor.”
In terms of specific materials, Emma Scott, Director of Design at CP Hart, explains that “porcelain requires little maintenance and there’s a huge range of colours, designs and finishes, also suitable for use in wet room floors.” The downside, of course, is that porcelain can be very slippery when wet. Likewise, “marble looks great but will need to be sealed and maintained, as it is a porous material and coloured cosmetics can mark it. It is also very cold so underfloor heating would be recommended. Amtico and vinyl are less clinical than tiles, warmer underfoot and there are lots of designs, both contemporary and traditional – but neither is suitable in a wet room.”
Robert Whitaker, Creative and Product Director at Claybrook, emphasises practicality – including waterproofing and hard-wearing materials. “The room is often not the largest in the home, and so has quite a bit of wear and tear for a relatively small space. It’s best to stick to materials that are naturally impervious to water, and that can be cleaned easily.”
These, he says, include porcelain and marble, the former of which can replicate other materials like stone or wood as a safer alternative. On the whole, most bathrooms avoid wood, and “most suppliers of engineered or solid wood flooring do not recommend the material for bathrooms as the change in temperature caused by steam and water causes expansion and contraction of the planks, leading to problems. Some clients go ahead anyway if it’s rooms with very little use or an adult-only space.”
Finally, “encaustic cement tiles can look great but can also be an issue in wetter zones,” Robert explains, “as they are porous and can be quite slippy. Check with the retailer for advice on usage.”
What colours suit different sizes and orientations of room?
When it comes to choosing the appropriate colour for your bathroom, consider the regularity of use and the size of the units of flooring you’re using (i.e. the planks or tiles). “Dark floors will show up dirt and marks more easily,” explains Emma. “If it’s a high-traffic area, consider a lighter or patterned floor. Chevron, herringbone and patterned tiles all add interest and are great for small-medium sized spaces.
“You can also help a space feel bigger by using the same flooring throughout the whole space and utilising larger sizes (larger format tiles, wide planks, et cetera). To add interest to a square room mix flooring to add interest, coloured/marble hexagon tiles with wood planks. Bear in mind light-coloured grouts require more maintenance to keep looking good than dark ones.”
James agrees. “One designer told me, ‘If in doubt, go large!” he says. “Small tiles generally seem to take a lot of visual processing, while the larger tiles make the space easier on the eye.” This can make the bathroom feel calmer, which is usually the feeling you want to evoke in a bathroom. “Unless, of course, you are doing a cloakroom and want more of an effect!”
As for tones and colours, Robert notes that many would-be bathroom designers take inspiration from an obvious source: the water of the bathroom itself. “Many of our clients, both in domestic spaces and commercial ones, gravitate to tiles in shades that feel refreshing, inspired by the tones seen in water. Blues, creams and whites predominate as the go-to palette, in materials as diverse as marble, porcelain and glass.” The size and orientation of a room are also important to consider. “Larger rooms may of be able to take a darker tone for floors with a balancing complementary one on walls and softer furnishings.
“North-facing rooms naturally receive less direct sunlight, so if a brighter overall look is required it is best to stick to lighter materials throughout, unless a moodier scheme is specified.”
How should flooring match the other elements of their bathroom?
“We are seeing more clients opt for black or gold for brassware,” says Robert, “with complementary shower screens in black and tiles chosen to pair tonally with the fittings. Blush pink, for example, looks great against burnished or living brass taps, whilst a verdant green tile or wallpaper feels perfect twinned with matt black taps or accessories. Rather than trying to match, we aim to use materials together in combination that creates a beautiful scheme; greater in impact when complete, than the sum of its parts.”
“Always use real samples of the various finishes you’re considering and take them into the room to see how the light affects them,” Emma suggests. “Consider your overall scheme, pick finishes that complement the style and the basin unit and fittings, or pull colours and tones from your choice of wallpaper.”
Often, whoever is making the executive design choices about the bathroom will select the hero items – perhaps the bathtub, shower, loo or sink – first, and will then use these to determine the rest of the space. James notes that “the walls and floors then work to these items.”
But he points out that you can also approach the room “in reverse”: “If you have fallen for a beautiful material such as a marble, then you want to ensure your fittings match and work well with this. Verde guatamala, a beautiful green marble, works so well with an antique brass fitting and black tiles as a contrast, for example. Beautiful white arabescatto marble is calm, and works so well with polished nickel.”
What options are best for someone working on a limited budget?
If the budget for the bathroom floor is tight, there are still very good options to choose from. Emma highlights porcelain tiles as “hard-wearing, practical, and there’s plenty of choice for all budgets. Vinyl tiles can be a cost-effective solution and quick to install, but won’t be as hard-wearing.”
As for those porcelain tiles, recent changes to the way they are produced has improved their appearance while keeping prices level, Robert explains. “Beautifully designed options are available with colours and designs across myriad styles to suit not only all tastes but all budgets. It is possible to create a focal point without breaking the bank or budget.”
James points out the importance of taking into account the cost and work that might be involved in preparing a floor for a material on top of the material itself. “Are they having a tiled floor? What condition is the existing floor in? It may need removing, resetting and levelling, and even restructuring before the tiles can be laid. Also, certain tiles and patterns are harder to lay than others – a herringbone tile at a 45 per cent angle, for example, will involve a great deal of cutting and wastage.
“Timber floors are often a no for customers, but these can be an easier install, as is carpet – both are used today, some very effectively.”
What else should one consider while choosing bathroom flooring?
As her final advice, Emma recommends keeping in mind the finer practicalities of day-to-day use that might not be immediately obvious when choosing a floor. “As well as the look and maintenance elements, think about where the floor is going. Wet room walk-in showers need a finish that will give good grip underfoot, but nothing too textured as it could be uncomfortable to walk and stand on.”
“Underfloor heating is a great addition in a bathroom,” she adds, “as it will not only be toasty but will dry off any splashes.” James agrees: “This is seen as essential for most customers refurbishing today. It is so easy if planned well in advance, and generally makes the difference. Walking onto a cold tile is miserable!”
He adds that it is important to remember the structure of the floor of the room, and which parts of it can take the weight of a full bath. “The contractor needs to assess if it can take the weight of the bath – most tubs take around 200-300 litres of water; this is 200-300kg of weight, which will require some consideration.”
Similarly, Robert notes that the height of a bathroom floor can change depending on what material it uses. “If replacing existing tiling with more tiling, there won’t generally be a problem with height levels,” he explains. “However, if you are moving from carpet to tiles, think about how the height will change. This is easily mitigated by the tiler or carpet fitter on site taking account of the change between rooms using threshold or transition pieces, but trip hazards must be avoided.
“Tiles will have adhesive and sometimes waterproof membrane or levelling compounds underneath, so the height may not simply be that of the tile. The substrate being tiled onto, e.g. floorboards or concrete, will dictate how the tiles are fitted. Some materials will need sealing and clients should check their tiler understands if or how this is achieved, how long it takes and the costs involved.”
