Bathroom flooring ideas for a stylish and practical space

An integral part of any bathroom design is the flooring. Tasked with providing both a practical surface and a pleasing aesthetic, it's a purchase that needs to provide plenty of bang for your buck.

But whether you choose tiles, luxury vinyl flooring or splash out on some sizeable slabs of marble, the vast array of choices available can make it hard to decide which one is right for your self-build or renovation project.

And while it can be tempting to keep it simple if you've chosen a more extravagant finish elsewhere in the room, sometimes being bold with your bathroom flooring can result in the creation of a stunning space. 

Bathroom flooring ideas can help elevate your interior

“When designing a bathroom, flooring choice is absolutely key," says Natalie Mudd, creative director at The Wood Flooring Co. "The right flooring can add effortless style appeal and tie a scheme together alongside contributing to a sense of calm and tranquility."

So if bathroom flooring ideas are next on your list, sit back, relax and immerse yourself in 15 bathroom flooring ideas to help create the perfect bathroom design idea. 

Natalie Mudd

Natalie co-founded The Wood Flooring Co, with her husband David with the aim of offering customers high-quality engineered, laminate and No-Vinyl tile flooring options to suit both classic and contemporary interior schemes, making Natalie perfectly placed to advise on the latest flooring trends.

1. Pick patterns that remind you of sunshine

If the memories of summers spent basking in the Mediterranean sun bring you joy, give yourself a daily boost with these Mallorca Diamond tiles from Porcelain Superstore.

“The pretty blue-and-white colouring and hand-painted style will instantly transport you to a world of warm sunshine, shimmering seas and lazy days spent relaxing at beautiful fincas," says Abbas Youssefi, founder of Porcelain Superstore.

“It has a stunning Mediterranean feel that brings with it the relaxed vibe of our favourite island. But, unlike authentic centuries old tiles, Mallorca Diamond is robust and durable, and is perfect for busy family homes.”

In small bathroom ideas where creating a sense of space is key, pair with a plainer wall finish so that the design doesn't feel too overwhelming.

Abbas Youssefi

Abbas Youssefi is the director of independent tile retailer Porcelain Superstore, which he founded in 2014 alongside his brothers Ben and Sam.

Tiles are in his blood. Growing up, his parents owned their own tile shop and armed with industry knowledge, Abbas and his brothers scout the tile factories of Europe and beyond to handpick the best tiles for their customers.

2. Extend your bathroom floor tiles to your walls

If you've fallen in love with an unusually shaped tile, take the level of interest one further and blur the linear break between wall and floor with a bold section of tiling across the centre of both the wall and floor.

It works well in this wetroom style bathroom, but if you love this nature inspired tile, could equally be appealing if you're looking for green bathroom ideas.

For a tile that's floral but just green, try this Capri Porcelain version from Hyperion Tiles.

3. Opt for a wooden style floor but avoid the real thing

"No matter how much you love the rustic appeal of natural wood, it’s generally advised that wood flooring should not be installed in the bathroom," says Natalie Mudd.  "This is because of the inevitable splashes and the likelihood of standing water; which will penetrate the wood and cause permanent damage.

"The same can be said about laminate, although it can offer an hour of protection due to its tough waterproof top layer and is extremely hygienic, standing water can still penetrate the planks through the HDF core board and lead to damage.

Instead, Natalie advises customers to consider options such as wood finish No-Vinyl Tiles which offer the practicality of a luxury vinyl tile but don't contain the same level of PCV. 

"They're quiet and warm underfoot and the non-porous surface will not absorb dirt, liquids or other materials," says Natalie, "making them perfect for bathrooms where shower gels, oils or bubble baths are very likely to be spilled.

"Offering all the visual characteristics of natural wood, they add depth and character to interior spaces," she adds. "Easy to install and maintain, the tiles come in an array of different shades and will complement both contemporary and classic-inspired bathroom schemes.”

4. Keep it simple with plain white bathroom flooring

Not everyone enjoys a maximalist design, especially in the bathroom which is supposed to be a calming space to spend time in. Keeping your bathroom scheme simple with plain or lightly patterned or textured tiles can be really effective design-wise, especially if you lean in to a more minimalist approach. 

White can also be a solution if you're looking for tile ideas for small bathrooms as it's a guaranteed way of adding a sense of space and light to a room that's more petite.

For a white tile with a hint of detail, try this Grain White tile from the Baked Tile Company.

5. LVT perfectly combines practicality with style

If you've ever wondered what is Karndean flooring, the answer is it's the flooring shown in this beautiful bathroom scheme, and it falls into the category known as luxury vinyl flooring (LVT).

If you're thinking of a wood finish for your bathroom flooring, LVT is likely to be the best choice available to you. But instead of sticking to one surface finish, take advantage of the vast array of available designs and combine them to create something more striking.

Not only will you end up with a super durable, easy to clean option that works excellently with underfloor heating, you'll have a bathroom flooring idea worth of the pages of any interior design magazine.

6. Match your skirting to your border

Effective interior design schemes tie elements of the room together to create a cohesive and stylish look. 

It's a concept that's demonstrated well in this green and white bathroom scheme which uses green and shades of white for a colour palette, then ties the walls to the floor with the same dark green tiles on the 'faux' skirting board and border.

These Victorian Green Field tiles from Hyperion Tiles are a great starting point for a similar scheme.

7. Use vinyl for an easy clean option

Vinyl flooring is a great choice for the bathroom, especially in family bathroom ideas where bubble baths are a must.

Modern vinyls are much better quality than you might think, and come in a range of designs, from tile and stone effects to solid colours and interesting patterns. Plus, vinyl flooring is easier to clean, as it doesn't have gaps or grouting for dirt to get trapped in. 

8. Colour drench your bathroom floors and walls

For a scheme that's oozing in opulence, colour drench your bathroom in tonal shades of rich burgundy and brown. Use the same encaustic style tiles across your walls and floors and finish with brass or gold taps and shower fittings for the ultimate luxury look. It can be the perfect way to create cocoon like small shower room ideas that embrace you in a warm hug, every day.

You can find this Bert & May Carmona Marron Tile from Hyperion Tiles starting from £78.62 per box.

9. Pick pink for a bathroom flooring idea that's on trend

There's no doubt that pink is here to stay since Barbie hit our cinema screens. From kitchens to bathrooms, it's no longer a colour reserved for children's bedrooms. 

And whether, like me, you prefer a pop of magenta with your navy sofas, or instead prefer the more pastel shades shown in this bathroom featuring Ca'Pietra tiles, it's a colour that both soothes and brings a sense of fun.

To add a sense of structure to your bathroom flooring idea, there's an easy solution in the form of stripes, says Grazzie Wilson, head of creative at Ca'Pietra.

"Why lay those stripes one way when you can mix things up a bit more and have multidirectional floor stripes? Because of the carefully considered colour palette, you can 100% get away with as much striped playfulness as you please."

We love how this clever tile design gives the sense of a rug underneath the bath - which is nothing more than changing the direction and layout of tiles to create a central focal point on the floor.

For just a touch of pink, try this subtly striped Shoreline Pink tile from The Baked Tile Company instead.

Grazzie Wilson

Grazzie Wilson is head of creative at tile company Ca'Pietra and is known for her creative and stylish approach. Offering consistently stylish and innovative solutions to tile and bathroom design has made her one of the most well-known and admired names in the industry.

10. Try a chequerboard layout for a classic bathroom flooring idea

Chequerboard is a classic design and works well in vintage bathroom ideas. Lending , an air of heritage to your space when used in the right way, although if solid black and white floor tiles feel a little harsh, opt for a different colour scheme such as this rich red and cream bathroom that creates a warm and welcoming feel.

11. Pick a parquet pattern for an alternative wooden flooring idea

We’ve seen a real trend in popularity for patterned designs such as traditional parquet and more intricate herringbone and chevron patterns which add beautiful texture and sophistication to any space," says Carly Greening, creative product manager at The Floor Room. 

"They also fit into both contemporary and period properties alike, making them versatile, as well as stylish.”

For a classically stylish space, pair it with a simple white freestanding bath, traditional vanity unit and add gold taps for a sense of style. Match the gold finish when deciding what to use for heating a bathroom.

Carly Greening

Carly has spent 15 years working in flooring retail and has a wealth of experience in driving brand growth in an ever-changing retail climate with a real focus on interiors trends and creative product development.

12. Try a terrazzo style bathroom floor

Terrazzo is traditionally a type of poured flooring which contains chips of marble to make a decorative design. It's expensive, and not often used in a residential setting, but many porcelain tile designs now mimic the look, including supersize terrazzo designs that bring oodles of character to the bathroom. 

13. Mosaic tiles may be small but add a mighty level of detail

While you might think of mosaics more as a wall tile, they can also be used to good effect in bathroom flooring ideas.

If you're worried about keeping grout looking its best when using a small scale tile on the floor, make sure you invest in a quality stain-resistant grout, or opt for a darker grout which will hide stains more easily.

14. Concrete effect bathroom flooring ideas

Polished concrete style flooring is a great choice for a bathroom, as it doesn't have joins that can harbour bacteria and dirt. For ease of installation and for the fact that they aren't porous like traditional poured concrete, microcement floors are often preferred for bathrooms. 

Alternatively, choose a concrete effect large tile and lay it across floors and on walls. To soften the scheme add in natural wood and a selection of bathroom plants that absorb moisture.

15. Use a monochromatic colour bathroom colour scheme

For a practical and hardwearing bathroom flooring idea, pick a monochromatic black and white colour scheme.

Take a central section of flooring and lay dark, jet back tiles beneath a freestanding bath. But, to avoid the room feeling too dark, border them with similarly sized white tiles. Then, continue with black tiles along a section of your wall, but again top with white tiles or pick a shade of white in the best bathroom paint. 

Making the sections of black and white different in size, also prevents the room from feeling like it's filled with zebra like stripes.

Inspired by our ideas, picked your choice of flooring but still have work to do on your bathroom design? Make sure you avoid the most common bathroom design mistakes before you forge ahead with your renovation project.