What’s the Best Flooring for a Bathroom?

The best flooring for a bathroom is usually porcelain tile, as it’s highly water-resistant, won’t harbor mold easily, comes in a wide variety of color and shape options, and can be textured to prevent a wet floor from getting slippery. 

However, there are many options to consider, including waterproof bathroom flooring options like luxury vinyl tile (LVT) flooring and high-end natural stone. Learn about how these options compare in terms of water resistance, slip resistance, cost, and more before deciding which is right for your home.

Quick Takeaways

• Ceramic and porcelain tile are the most common bathroom floor options, as they balance cost and visual appeal with functionality and slip resistance.

• A natural stone floor is an excellent option for luxury bathrooms, but the high installation cost could be too steep for a standard bathroom renovation.

• Think about aesthetics, slip resistance, water resistance, and durability when deciding on the best bathroom floor option for your home.

1. Porcelain or Ceramic Tile

Porcelain and ceramic tile are widely considered the best bathroom flooring options because they nicely balance all of the things to look for in a bathroom floor. 

First, they’re resistant to impact, so they’re unlikely to crack if you drop something on them. Porcelain is more durable, so it’s less likely to crack if the subfloor gets wet and provides uneven support. The bathroom tiles themselves are waterproof, but the grout between them is not, so there’s still a small risk of water damage.

These tiles also make for some of the easiest bathroom floors to maintain and clean. They require no special treatments or waterproofing and are stain-resistant, so they can be easily cleaned with a mop and some all-purpose cleaner. They’re also offered in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, so you can customize to your heart’s content. 

One thing to watch out for with tiles is that some styles can be very slippery when wet. A way to create more slip resistance is by choosing tiles with a matte or textured finish, which will provide a bit more grip and make your bathroom a safer space.

A tile floor costs between $10 and $20 per square foot to install, or around $750 for a standard-size bathroom.

2. Natural Stone

Widely considered one of the most sought-after bathroom flooring materials, natural stone tiles can make any bathroom feel more luxurious. Natural stone tiles are incredibly durable and long-lasting, too, so they add more value to your home than porcelain or ceramic tiles.

Natural stone offers a lot of versatility, with different stone types boasting a varying selection of colors and textures that can also increase slip resistance.

One downside to natural stone tiles is that they are technically porous, which means they can be susceptible to water damage and staining without treatment. Natural stone tiles will need to be sealed at least once per year and cleaned regularly.

Natural stone tile is also one of the most expensive bathroom flooring options. It costs up to $50 per square foot to install, totaling as much as $2,500 for an average-sized bathroom.

3. Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)

Luxury vinyl tile or LVT flooring is a popular waterproof bathroom flooring option for modern bathrooms. The tile is strong and durable and will resist impact well. High-end vinyl flooring can be entirely waterproof, but all options are water-resistant at the very least.

LVT flooring is resistant to staining, it won’t harbor mold, and it’s a breeze to keep clean. Some options that aren’t textured can be slippery when wet, so it’s best to choose a high-end LVT product with a textured surface for greater slip resistance. 

You can also opt for luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring, which almost always has texture and resembles hardwood floors. This gives you the high-end look of wood flooring without the low water resistance.

LVT flooring is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, so you can get the look of natural stone flooring or another option for less. It’s a cost-effective floor, priced between $4 and $15 per square foot, or $500 for a standard full bathroom.

You can halve that price if you tackle the installation yourself. It’s relatively easy to install, so going the DIY bathroom remodel route is a great way to save money.

4. Linoleum Sheet Flooring

Made from natural and renewable materials such as linseed oil, cork powder, wood flour, and ground limestone, linoleum is both affordable and eco-friendly.

Linoleum is available in a wide variety of colors, styles, and patterns. It’s affordable, but it has a lower durability than the options mentioned above. You’ll get an average of 25 years of life out of it with good care, but it’s susceptible to denting and tearing over time.

While linoleum is water-resistant, some types are also susceptible to damage from standing water. Many homeowners also don’t like the look of linoleum, and it tends to have a less luxurious appearance and feel than tile, natural stone, or LVT flooring.

Linoleum costs just $3 to $12 per square foot, or $400 to install in a typical full bath.

How to Choose the Best Bathroom Flooring

When choosing a new bathroom floor, there are a few key things to keep in mind to ensure you make the right flooring choice.

Cost

The first thing you’ll need to do is determine what your budget is. Once you have landed on a bathroom remodel cost you’re comfortable with, see how the options above fit into your budget. Choose linoleum or LVT flooring for a budget-friendly bathroom remodel, or splurge on natural stone for a luxury bathroom.

Visual Appeal

If you’re replacing your bathroom floor out of necessity, the visual appeal may not be at the top of your priority list, but for a bathroom remodel, this may very well be the most important factor. 

Natural stone tends to be the most appealing option, followed by tile, LVT flooring, and then linoleum. Consider the color options, shapes, and sizes and how they’ll affect your bathroom design as well.

Durability

The bathroom is one of the most trafficked rooms in your home, so picking the right bathroom floor means choosing one that is going to perform well in the long run. Qualities such as durability, longevity, moisture resistance, and maintenance are all key when you’re looking for the best bathroom flooring option.

Water Resistance

No matter how careful you are, your bathroom floor is going to see water and moisture on a daily basis, so you should consider how water-resistant the material is. 

The best waterproof flooring for a bathroom is LVT flooring, although ceramic and porcelain tiles are also highly water-resistant. Natural stone is porous and will need annual resealing to maintain its water resistance.

Slip Resistance

Water and humidity can quickly make for a slippery and dangerous bathroom floor. Choose a textured bathroom flooring option like natural stone or unglazed porcelain tile to reduce the risk of slipping. Of course, you can always use bath mats and rugs to add traction to less slip-resistant flooring materials.

FAQ: Best Flooring for Bathrooms

Porcelain and ceramic tiles are both low-maintenance bathroom flooring options. They’ll stand up to impact well, they won’t stain, and cleaning is simple and straightforward with a mop. You also don’t need to reseal tile like you would with natural stone flooring.

Vinyl is a better option than laminate for a bathroom floor. Vinyl is more water-resistant and will stand up better to staining and impact. It also lasts for around 25 years, on average, while laminate will need replacement every 15 years or so — especially in a high-traffic area like a bathroom.

Porcelain and ceramic tile, LVT, and sheet vinyl will all resist mildew and mold growth naturally and are excellent flooring options for a bathroom. Natural stone can also resist mold well, but you’ll need to reseal it annually to maintain its water resistance and reduce its ability to harbor mold.