This floor material is improving in quality with new technologies – and vinyl also offers a wide range of design opportunities that will suit a variety of bathroom ideas, designs and styles.
Vinyl bathroom flooring ideas
Aside from a plethora of patterns, textures and colors, you really have one key choice to make when planing your vinyl bathroom flooring ideas – standard vinyl or luxury vinyl? The former is predictably cheaper, and tends to be available either as tiles or as one large sheet. ‘Vinyl is a great and inexpensive way to add color, pattern and personality to bathroom flooring ideas without compromising on safety or quality’, says David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright (opens in new tab). ‘Being highly durable, slip-resistant and moisture proof, it is ideal for busy households with young families.’ Luxury vinyl is made up of multiple layers of vinyl, and is thus thicker, more durable and more expensive. Its rigidity means that it is largely available as tiles (LVT) or planks (LVP) and has a more convincing appearance when emulating natural materials. It can also be clicked together at the sides, rather than stuck down with glue.
1. Lay down a monochromatic vinyl
A monochromatic color scheme can completely alter the feel of a bathroom but getting the balance right is key. While black and white decorating can be tricky to get right, a considered approach will be rewarded by a simple but impactful scheme that mimics bathroom floor tiles. ‘The beauty of vinyl is that you can create a fantastic focal point without spending a fortune,’ says Melanie Griffiths, Editor at Period Living. ‘This eye-catching monochromatic floor is not for the faint hearted, which is why we love the use of the parchment color on the walls which softens this traditional bathroom whilst still allowing it to be striking.’
2. Fake parquet with luxury vinyl floor tiles
If you’re looking to emulate the look of luxury bathroom ideas without the associated price tag and maintenance, luxury vinyl tiles are an excellent – and almost indistinguishable – alternative. ‘Stone and wood LVT are designed with authentic colors and textures inspired by natural materials, and are available in a multitude of colors, so they are a good small bathroom flooring option if you want to recreate the appeal of natural wood without thinking about the maintenance required,’ says says Sarah Escott, design manager at Amtico (opens in new tab).
3. Make a statement in an all-white bathroom
Using scale in interior design can add instant impact and drama to a scheme so it is vital to get it right. ‘Remember that scale is important if you choose patterned flooring,’ says David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright (opens in new tab). ‘Too large a scale will cause the repeat to be lost and if it’s too small the flooring can look a little too busy. It’s a fantastic look but one that requires confidence and an overall vision – the results, however, can look fabulous.’
4. Add interest with patterned flooring
The trend for patterned tiles and strong color shows bold to be beautiful even in the smallest of rooms. But did you know that you can mimic this look on a budget? ‘Vinyl flooring is perfect for a bathroom, it’s budget friendly and available with different wear-layers of 0.2 to 0.5mm – this is the transparent top layer which adds protection and resistance to wear and tear,’ says Inga Morris-Blincoe, general manager of Lifestyle Floors (opens in new tab). ‘It generally comes in a choice of widths which helps to ensure that there’s little wastage when it’s fitted.’
5. Use vinyl flooring in a neutral space
‘Although there has been a move towards bolder tones, as a rule of thumb neutral flooring provides an unfussy solution for smaller spaces,’ says David Snazel, hard flooring buyer at Carpetright (opens in new tab). ‘Using these tones within your small bathroom ideas will help to make the most of natural light, ensuring the room feels bright and airy.’ Stick to one uniform vinyl tile or look for ranges that offer different shapes in the same finish for added creative interest.
6. Go for a luxurious look underfoot
Both natural textures and pale colors are trending right now, so get the best of both worlds with a vinyl that mimics natural wood flooring. ‘Bathrooms are a great place to experiment with your interior style but remember nothing says tranquillity like calming, muted tones and considered coordination,’ says Stuart Hannah, store manager at The Floor Room (opens in new tab). ‘Unaffected by spills and splashes, luxury vinyl and vinyl offer an effective yet low maintenance solution to help recreate a spa like feel in your home.’
7. Evoke intrigue with varying patterns
Tiling is having a big moment in bathroom design. Complicated patterns, using multiple colored and unusually shaped tiles, are a standout among the genre’s latest bathroom trends – but laying them is a messy process that takes time, skill and, of course, adds to your bathroom flooring costs. Speed things up by opting for sheet vinyl or larger vinyl tiles that emulate this look. In this bathroom, a 3D-style patterned floor looks like it is made of porcelain tiles, when it is in fact made of fewer, larger vinyl tiles.
8. Play with scale
‘Although we love large scale vinyl floor designs, small tiles patterns have their place too as they’re more subtle visually,’ says Jennifer Ebert, Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. ‘If you love your existing bathroom decor then match your new vinyl flooring to your current colors for cohesive look.’
9. Use vinyl to add color
If you want to introduce an eye-catching bathroom color scheme, vinyl flooring is an easy way to add bold color into a room in one swift act. ‘Here, a classic blue vinyl with golden highlights captures the essence of hand-painted tiles, this Pattern Larkspur by Harvey Maria + Dee Hardwicke looks just like an expensive ceramic tile,’ says Lucy Tunstall, creative director at Harvey Maria (opens in new tab). ‘Our luxury vinyl tiles are easy to clean, waterproof, warm and suitable for use with underfloor heating. The tiles butt up tightly together and the adhesive creates a watertight bond making them completely waterproof and slip resistant – perfect for modern bathroom ideas.’
10. Use a partial pattern to create a modern feel
‘For the authentic modern bathroom aesthetic, a combination of pattern and imitation stone offer a contemporary look, says David Snazel. ‘If your budget won’t stretch to authentic stone or reclaimed timbers, consider using a hard flooring or vinyl solution. They look convincing but cost a fraction of the expense of sourcing and fitting stone floors, and take far less time to install.’
Can you use vinyl flooring in bathrooms?
Bathrooms are the perfect place for vinyl flooring due to their durability and easy to clean nature. ‘When planning a bathroom, choosing the right flooring is crucial. Not only does it have to complement the design aesthetic, but it also withstand the trials that come from water and humidity; it also needs to remain easy to clean. LVT is a fantastic option for the bathroom, as it boasts these water and stain resistant qualities,’ says Sarah Escott, design manager at Amtico (opens in new tab).
What is the best flooring for bathrooms?
‘Vinyl is a particularly good choice for family bathroom ideas that are used by young children, as it is able to withstand frequent splashes during bath time, whilst offering slip resistance,’ adds Sarah Escott. ‘What’s more, the variety of designs available makes it possible to reproduce the look of wood and stone, without the extra care that is needed with natural materials.’
