Shower flooring needs to be both durable and easy to clean, particularly in high-traffic households, but that shouldn’t preclude them from being beautiful, too. Materials are many and varied, ranging from non-slip flooring and vinyl to luxury materials such as solid marble and stone. Be aware, though, that although they are bound to add an air of elegance, many natural stone floors will need an element of maintenance to keep your walk-in shower ideas and shower room ideas looking at their best.
Shower floor ideas
Shower and bathroom flooring ideas deserve special attention. The material of course must be durable, able to withstand frequent splashes of water, anti-slip underfoot and preferably easy to clean, especially in a wet room.
1. Introduce a sense of luxury with marble
Modern, elegant and timeless, marble bathroom flooring ideas still remain one of the most popular and lusted after materials to use underfoot in a shower room. ‘Calacatta marble was chosen for the walls and the floor for a seamless cohesive look which conveys a sense of calm,’ says Sara Cosgrove, founder and creative director at Sara Cosgrove (opens in new tab). This timeless material creates an elegant, spa bathroom sanctuary.’ What’s more, marble is naturally water-resistant and adds a luxurious spa-like feel to a bathroom whether you have a modern space or a more traditional one.
2. Add warmth with luxury vinyl
‘Vinyl bathroom flooring ideas are a great way of creating a stylish shower room without blowing the budget, and is highly water-resistant,’ says David Snazel, buyer of hard flooring at Carpetright (opens in new tab). ‘In recent years there have been many developments in design and styles that mean the effects vinyl’s can create, such as shower floor tile or wood, are incredibly realistic. It’s a great choice for busy families with children as it is durable whilst being softer and warmer underfoot than laminate. ’ ‘For the floors of wet rooms and showers specifically it is worth investing in specialist non-slip bathroom flooring, with the highest grade of anti-slip. Their enhanced installation method, with capping and coving of the flooring, will ensure it withstands daily downpours from a power shower.’
3. Mix materials to great effect
Your shower room floor need not be limited to just one material. ‘We love how the ‘floor’ boundaries have been pushed in this contemporary shower room,’ says Andrea Childs, editor, Country Homes & Interiors. ‘The marble flows into the space around the statement wall and the wooden floorboards sit perfectly as a contrast whilst adding warmth visually.’
4. Take an unusual approach by using waterproof paper on the floor
Being one of the smaller rooms in the home and serving a practical purpose, shower room flooring can get overlooked when it comes to decorating and can run the risk of being cold and clinical, but by adding color and pattern through wallpaper, you can really bring warmth and character to the space. ‘This revolutionary floor design is essentially wall covering that can be used on the floor,’ says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens. ‘Crafted from fiberglass for a waterproof finish, it will most certainly be the focal point in your shower room – team with white sanitaryware for a modern look.’
5. Go for a high-gloss finish in a modern shower room
If you are looking for next-level luxury in your bathroom, exotic stone surfaces are the way to go. ‘Shower floor ideas come no sleeker than this stunning polished stone,’ says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens. ‘Running throughout the space, the high gloss finish creates a beautiful reflection from the light pouring in, that, together with the glass shower wall ensures this space has a smart and contemporary edge.’
6. Authentic wooden floorboards add warmth and character
Timber’s timeless elegance and natural characteristics continue to make it a popular choice for modern and country bathroom ideas alike. Now more than ever, wood bathroom flooring has come to the fore, with modern technologies enabling a plethora of patterns and textures that weren’t readily available before. ‘They work with underfloor heating and provide a great visual warmth too,’ says Melanie Griffiths, editor, Period Living.
7. Lay down a traditional herringbone wood floor
Heritage styles such as herringbone, basketweave and parquet have seen a huge revival in popularity. Not just that, rustic textures and timeworn characteristics once the preserve of solid wood are now possible with engineered boards. ‘Parquet flooring is a popular choice throughout the home and it works leading up to this eye-catching walk-in shower,’ says Andrea Childs, editor, Country Homes & Interiors. ‘It’s great for adding a decorative aspect as it can be laid in various different ways, tie it in with the rest of the color scheme – we love how the tones work with the marble veining in this shower room.’
8. Choose a narrow shower tray in a small space
The humble shower tray gets a bad press, but did you know you can get them in stone and marble? ‘They’re ideal for showers in awkward spaces and those that are slimline albeit super cool with their antique glass walls,’ says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens. It is certainly not a budget option but the beauty of marble flooring is that you can add it to your bathroom ideas in varying amounts and it can still have a big impact. So whether it is in the form of large format tiles, book-matched or a simple shower tray, all will help elevate your bathroom design.
9. Play with scale on walls and floors
‘Texture in interior design is vital to creating a layered look – one that will look like it is straight from the pages of your favorite glossy magazine,’ says Jennifer Ebert, digital editor, Homes & Gardens. ‘To create a shower room that’s full of style it’s essential that there’s plenty of points of interest. This is where textures come in and you can use the shower floor as one of your main decorative elements. Small hexagon or mosaic tiles vary the scale when teamed with floorboards and textured wallpaper.’
10. Hark back to yesteryear with terrazzo
‘Struggling to decide what to use for your shower floor? Why not opt for an all encompassing terrazzo, it’s fresh, modern and solves the problem of having different wall and floor tiles in one interior design swoop,’ says Lucy Searle, global editor in chief, Homes & Gardens. Its speckled colors and retro aesthetic make it a contemporary favorite: it can be mixed, poured on site and sealed by specialist artisans to create a smooth, seamless floor.
What is the best flooring for a shower?
When it comes to shower floor ideas, it is important to think about which type of tiles are most suitable for bathrooms and showers. Family bathrooms that have a lot of traffic will be best served by porcelain or ceramic tiles, which are good non-slip bathroom flooring options. While natural stones can look amazing – book-matched marble bathroom flooring or textured limestone are a great choice for walk-in shower ideas for instance – they will need regular maintenance to keep them in tip-top condition. One of the biggest hazards in a shower room is the risk of slipping. ‘As soon as you splash water about, surfaces can get slippery,’ agrees Mike Zarghami, designer at Bathwaters. ‘Choose shower floor ideas with an anti-slip surface or opt for the alternative of vinyl or rubber flooring that can also bring some welcome color to a family shower room.’
