Best flooring for bathroom: The best ceramic tiles, laminate, vinyl and porcelain flooring from £15

Discover the best type of bathroom flooring for your project, with an eye on what’s both practical and stylish
Rachel Ogden
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Published on 23 May 2023

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Planning a new bathroom often focuses on the big items bath, shower, basin, loo with bathroom flooring lower on the list. However, its just as important, as it adds colour and texture to a room that can otherwise be wall-to-wall white. Bathroom flooring has to be practical, too no-one wants to be constantly mopping up because a floor cant stand the puddles and steam and ideally should be slip-resistant, so you can step in and out of the shower with confidence.

Most people default to ceramic tiles for a bathroom floor but, depending on your budget and the look youd like, theres a much wider choice of materials to pick from. Weve selected the best bathroom flooring you can buy and explained what to look out for so your bathroom will be a place youll love to linger. Below, you’ll find our buying guide to help you find the right bathroom flooring for your needs, or you can scroll on for our top picks.

What types of bathroom flooring are there?

The only flooring you should be using in a bathroom is hard flooring (sorry carpet, you dont belong here). This is because the majority of it is either water-resistant or waterproof, so it wont get mouldy or damaged over time. There are other options than the ones weve listed below, but they require more maintenance. Real stone, for example, requires sealing and resealing to keep it watertight, while solid timber can buckle and shift when exposed to the high humidity of a bathroom. Here are the most popular types:

Ceramic and porcelain tiles: While similar, porcelain tiles are harder and less absorbent than ceramic, so definitely the one to choose if bathtime = splash time. Theyll both be waterproof after grouting and wont need sealing. While both are durable, porcelain is super hardwearing and can be pricier, while ceramic is easier to install and usually affordable but can be prone to cracks and chips.

Vinyl: Often referred to as LVT (luxury vinyl tile), vinyl has a scratch-resistant wear layer on top thats water-resistant and can be slip-resistant. Its warmer underfoot than ceramic or porcelain and is popular in the form of wood and stone effect planks and tiles.

Bathroom laminate: Made using a wood-fibre core, printed decorative paper and a wear layer, standard laminate flooring isnt recommended for use in the bathroom because moisture can get into the planks to make them warp. Instead, look for waterproof bathroom laminate. This has a coating to prevent water getting in or can be installed with a waterproofing installation kit.

Engineered wood: Unlike solid wood, engineered boards are like a sandwich. Theyre typically made with a top layer of hardwood so, once laid, they look like solid boards. This construction means theyre resistant to warping and temperature changes. Choose one thats lacquered or oiled to increase its resistance to moisture, mop up spills as soon as you can, and keep the bathroom well-ventilated.

What do I need to consider when buying bathroom flooring?

If youre fitting underfloor heating, check that your chosen flooring is compatible. Some may only be suitable for the gentle heat of underfloor heating pipes, while others will suit electric underfloor matting. Check the size of tiles or boards, too. Large-format tiles reduce the number of grout lines, helping a small bathroom to look more spacious, while a shorter plank of wood effect flooring will add more variety of pattern than a long plank.

In terms of budget, buy the best flooring you can afford. Up to a certain point, a categorys price can be a good reflection of durability, meaning that £40 per square metre floors often last longer than £10 per square metre ones.

Price: £42.75 per square metre | Buy now from Flooring Hut

For a neutral floor thats durable, look no further than these wood-effect tiles. The light, long planks are ideal for using between adjoining rooms from the bedroom to the bathroom, or from a wet room into a dressing area all while adding a sense of space. Even better, theyve been designed to echo the original brushed timber surface perfectly, right down to the multi-toned colour and embossed textured top.

A wear layer of 0.55mm doesnt sound like much but its actually pretty good seeing as some vinyl tile wear layers can be as low as 0.1mm, meaning that this floor should easily withstand several years of being walked on. One final reason to choose Karndean is that luxury vinyl tile doesnt get as cold as ceramic, so you wont step out of a hot bath onto a chilly floor.

Key specs Size: 71.1 x 17.8 x 0.3cm (WDH); Type: Vinyl; Features: Embossed texture; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes up to 27C

Buy now from Flooring Hut

Price: £28 per square metre | Buy now from Wickes

If you love the look of Victorian encaustic tiles but not the price tag, this ceramic version should fit the bill. Its not too pricey, so you can spend more of your budget on the larger items, and its suitable for walls, too, so you can continue the tiles behind basins and around shower areas. Plus, as the tiles are ceramic, theyre a good DIY choice as theyll be easy to cut to size and fix yourself.

Another good reason to pick these is the colourway a blend of soothing blue and grey makes them an on-trend choice that coordinates well with white baths and basins, as well as black and grey trims. The only downside is their temperature on a typical day ceramic is a good conductor of heat once its warm, but without a radiator or under-floor heating nearby, these tiles will be chilly in the cooler months.

Key specs Size: 20 x 20 x 0.7cm (WDH); Type: Ceramic; Features: Satin finish; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes

Buy now from Wickes

Price: £19 per square metre | Buy now from B&Q

Quick-Step makes some excellent water-resistant laminate flooring thats also durable. This is one of its more affordable options but, even though its budget-friendly, theres no sacrifice on style. Its natural oak look suits a variety of bathrooms, from small and simple to contemporary rooms. Plus, as its laminate, its fairly warm underfoot and things that are dropped on it are less likely to break than on a harder floor.

There is a little bit of a catch with the price though in order for it to be truly suitable for a bathroom, youll need to install it using the brands Hydrokit silicone and PE foam so that water doesnt find its way in via skirting boards and crevices between the walls and floor. That will cost around £40 on top. Youll also need to use compatible underlay. On the plus side, its easy to fit thanks to an easy click system, and has a 10-year guarantee for wet areas if its installed as recommended.

Key specs Size: 19.3 x 138 x 0.8cm (WDH); Type: Laminate; Features: Scratch Guard technology; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes

Buy now from B&Q

Price: £15.73 per square metre | Buy now from Victoria Plum

As affordable floors go, these rectangular tiles are hard to beat. Not only are they pocket-friendly, but theyre also made from hard-wearing porcelain, making them easy to clean and less prone to scrapes and scratches. Theyre finished with a simple stone effect, so theyre versatile for most spaces and suitable for bathroom walls, so you can clad a walk-in shower area using them as well. The large format means minimal grout lines, too, which is ideal for a sleek look.

Given the price, you might not be surprised that there are a couple of downsides. While the tiles have some slip-resistance, its on the low side, so you might not want to install them in a multigenerational household. Theyre also not suitable for wetrooms.

Key specs Size: 30 x 60 x 0.9cm (WDH); Type: Porcelain; Features: Matt finish; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes

Buy now from Victoria Plum

Price: £22.45 per square metre (£49.39 for 2.2 square metre pack) | Buy now from Bricoflor

While laminates with a bevelled edge are prone to water ingress, the Ocean range from Berry Alloc is water-resistant thanks to it being completely flat and flush. It also has a helping hand from a water-repellent Hydroplus coating, meaning that you wont have to race to wipe up spills and splashes at bath-time. Whats especially noticeable about this flooring, though, is its stylish tile-inspired pattern. This is a rarity amongst laminates, which are typically available in wood and stone effects.

Another plus is its ease of installation you can just click or lift and lock the planks into place and its lifetime guarantee. This is a great option to consider if you like the look of tiles but want something faster to install and warmer underfoot.

Key specs Size: 19 x 128.8 x 0.8cm (WDH); Type: Laminate; Features: No bevels, embossed; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes, up to 27C

Buy now from Bricoflor

Price: £32 per square metre | Buy now from Luxury Tiles

If you love to get creative with your flooring, these porcelain tiles should fire your imagination. There are multiple ways you can lay them to create stars, bursts of white, or turned one by one for a linear effect. While theyre also available in black, this powder pink shade is especially eye-catching in rooms of any size.

Lily tiles arent just pretty, though: theyre practical, too. An anti-slip glaze means they work well leading into a walk-in shower area, while being porcelain means theyre more durable than ceramic. Perhaps the only downside comes from their slip-resistance, as the glaze can become stained with residue, so its best to seal it with a protector product before grouting. Once installed, youll have a hard-wearing, practical floor for years to come.

Key specs Size: 20 x 20 x 0.85cm (WDH); Type: Porcelain; Features: Matt finish; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes

Buy now from Luxury Tiles

Price: £21 per square metre | Buy now from Homebase

If youre a fan of wooden flooring but need a water-resistant option for the bathroom, turn to a timber-effect laminate. Eggers range includes several laminates with an Aqua+ core and secure click-lock system, ensuring they can withstand the damp environment.

This Brown Perganti Walnut 8mm laminate stays water-resistant for up to 72 hours, meaning you dont have to hop out of the tub to wipe up every splash and spill. Its also antibacterial and you can even use a wood floor cleaner on it.

However, its the dark knots, velvety woodgrain texture and irregular finish that set it apart, giving the floor a natural, authentic appearance. The variations in style and bevelled edges on each board are a nice touch too, making it great for adding interest to a long, narrow bathroom.

A final reason to choose this reassuringly robust floor is its lifetime guarantee, which means you wont have to replace it before your bathrooms ready for another revamp.

Key specs Size: 19.3 x 129.1 x 0.8cm (WDH); Type: Laminate; Features: V-bevel edges; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes up to 28ºC

Buy now from Homebase

Price: £40 per square metre | Buy now from Flooring Superstore

While theyre still made using vinyl, Evocore planks are slightly different from standard LVT. Thats because theyve been engineered for greater stability, comprising seven layers which includes two vinyl boards a rigid core that protects against water damage and expansion, and built-in underlay. That means theyre able to withstand the humid environment of a bathroom and even extreme heat from sunlight up to 38ºC.

Other reasons theyre at home in the bathroom include the textured finish great for slip resistance, even on a wet floor and a click-lock fitting system that ensures theyre watertight once installed. Plus, you wont need underlay, but you may still have to allow some budget for room edging. However, its the stylish herringbone laying pattern that youre sure to love the most, which looks great in both classic and contemporary bathrooms.

Key specs Size: 63 x 12.6 x 0.5cm (WDH); Type: Vinyl; Features: Embossed texture; Under-floor heating-compatible: Yes

Buy now from Flooring Superstore

Written by

Rachel Ogden

Rachel Ogden is a freelance journalist who has been writing about small and large appliances, interiors and home tech since 2007. Her kitchen has seen hundreds of air fryers, cookers and coffee machines over the years as well as food processors, mixers and blenders. Other outlets she has contributed to include Ideal Home, BBC Good Food, Woman & Home, Tech Advisor and Trusted Reviews.

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