What are the best flooring for a small bathroom? Infuse your bathroom with bold colors without stretching your budget by opting for a mosaic tile pattern. Ideal for cottage and industrial aesthetics, these tiles enrich powder rooms and ensuites.
Light-colored marble, like this glazed option from Wayfair, visually expands small spaces. Pair with neutral wall colors and minimal decor for a stylish, elegant finish.
What is the Best Flooring for a Small Bathroom?
The best flooring for a small bathroom should be visually appealing, long-lasting, and moisture-resistant. Vinyl flooring is a popular choice due to its water resistance, variety of designs that replicate natural materials such as wood or stone, and affordability. Additionally, its simple installation makes it ideal for small settings.
Ceramic or porcelain tiles are durable and water resistant with a variety of designs to fit any style when placed across they have the effect of visually expanding the area.
Avoid hardwood or laminate floors because they are susceptible to water damage. Choose materials that can endure moisture while complementing the bathroom size and style.
What Type of Flooring is Best
1. Ceramic Tiles
Ceramic tile is a great choice for small spaces because it is easy to clean and stands up to moisture. It also has a range of color and style options, including glossy, matte or wood-look.
Square tiles can be laid horizontally, vertically or diagonally to create patterns like herringbone and chevron. Geometric design floor tiles also offer a dynamic style and are available in several shapes, sizes and textures.
For a rustic vintage look, consider reclaimed wood-effect porcelain tiles the natural texture of these floors warms and adds character to a space.
2. Wood
If you are looking for a statement floor for your bijou bathroom or cloakroom consider a checkerboard pattern. Currently trending yet imbued with timeless appeal, this design helps to make small bathrooms feel larger.
Hardwood floors are a timeless choice that can stand up to the rigours of daily use and can offer design continuity between spaces. If you do opt for wood in your bathroom, choose engineered planks as these are more dimensionally stable than solid wood and will cope better with changes in humidity.
3. Vinyl
Vinyl is a budget-friendly option for your bathroom flooring ideas. It can also be textured to create a more interesting look in the room.
A darker tiled floor in a small bathroom can really elongate the space and make it feel larger. It can also look very sleek and stylish and coordinate well with dark-coloured wall tiles and furniture.
Waterproof core vinyl floors are a great choice for bathrooms. Their layered construction means they can stand up to humidity and temperature changes better than most other flooring materials.
4. Laminate
Laminate flooring is an option to consider for small bathrooms because it offers a durable, water-resistant surface that is budget-friendly. It’s a synthetic composite floor that has a plywood core layer with a photographic image sandwiched between two wear layers.
Strong decorative patterns work well in a bathroom and can make the space look bigger. Try a herringbone tile pattern or tessellated geometric tiles for a stylish statement. Natural stone is a beautiful and luxurious choice for bathroom floors, but it requires more care and needs to be properly tanked and sealed to protect against humidity.
5. Stone
For a luxurious look that will increase your bathroom’s resale value, nothing beats natural stone. It can be used as large seamless slabs or smaller tiles and it comes in a huge variety of colors and styles.
Strong decorative patterns may seem like they wouldn’t work in a small bathroom, but they can add an interesting and distinctive style that helps your bathroom stand out from the rest of the house. This wavy contrasting tile design by Atelier ND is carried up the side of the built-in tub.
6. Concrete
When laying a new bathroom floor, the material needs to be able to cope with splashes and moisture. That’s why it’s important to choose a flooring that is water-resistant, anti-slip and suitable for underfloor heating.
Porcelain tiles are a great choice as they look great and can be affordable. They also come in a wide range of colors and styles that can help to make the space feel larger.
Cork tikle is another eco-friendly option that provides warmth and cushioning underfoot, and it’s naturally resistant to mould and mildew. It also works well in en suites and half baths.
7. Stone Effect Tiles
For a luxurious, high-end design, natural stone tiles can be a stunning option. However, these stones can be quite expensive and need regular sealing and maintenance to keep them water-resistant.
Stone effect tiles offer a more cost-effective alternative to natural stone, while maintaining the style and character of the space. Tarkett’s stone effect tile collections offer a range of styles and shades, from classic Marble to rustic Slate, that will infuse any design with timeless charm and captivating textures.
8. Natural Stone
Natural stone is a classic flooring option that transforms a bathroom into a luxurious retreat. From the subtle elegance of marble tile to the rugged texture of slate, there are many stone options to choose from.
Its moisture-resistant properties and slip-minimizing finishes make it an excellent choice for bathrooms and wet rooms. But stone can be cold underfoot and may not be ideal in a room without radiant in-floor heat.
In addition, stone is more expensive than other flooring materials.
