If there’s one place your flooring needs to be practical, it’s the bathroom. From the downstairs cloakroom to the family bathroom and guest ensuite, it’s vital that the bathroom flooring you choose is water and slip resistant. But you also want to pick a flooring design that matches your interiors style and personal taste.
When it comes to bathroom flooring ideas, vinyl is one of the most water resistant flooring types out there and is available in so many different patterns and styles. We’ll talk you through the pros and cons of vinyl flooring in bathrooms, go through all the different styles of bathroom vinyl flooring, and we’ll also look at the best colours to choose.
In this guide:
Vinyl flooring is a chic and easy-to-maintain synthetic, flexible floor covering that offers superior water resistance. It comes on a roll in a huge selection of thicknesses and styles, some of which replicate a real wood, stone, or tiled floor.
Vinyl flooring is created using multiple layers of synthetic materials. The top wear layer protects the flooring from scuffs, stains, and water. The design layer features detail and texture to give the impression of a natural wood or stone floor. The backing layer offers support and structure, and some vinyl styles will have another layer of cushioned felt underneath to reduce noise and add more comfort.
When rating the best flooring for bathrooms, we’re focusing on four main things: cost, style, durability, and quality. Vinyl is a top bathroom flooring choice for lots of Tapi customers because it scores highly for all these factors. Let’s take a look in closer detail:
While there a handful of negatives for vinyl flooring, the positives massively outweigh them. Especially when you consider the affordability of vinyl, you can really make an impact in your space by spending a relatively small amount.
Whatever your interiors style, you’re bound to find something you like in our vinyl collection. We’ve got plenty of bathroom vinyl ideas to go with the most popular bathroom trends, from the classic to the modern.
Lots of bathrooms have tiled floors because they’re waterproof and tiles can often be bought reasonably cheaply. But because there’s so many of them and they’re quite small, the cost to tile a bathroom floor will ramp up the renovation budget, plus there’s a chance a tile could crack if you drop something heavy on it. Our tiled vinyl flooring will create exactly the same effect, but it’s warmer and softer underfoot, has no grout to clean, and costs less to fit. From square cottage tiles to rectangular slate tiles and fun geometric tiles, the design possibilities are endless.
While real wood and wood-based flooring (like laminate) in a bathroom is a big no-no, wood vinyl flooring gives you the same gorgeous look without the stress of watermarks or warped and rotting planks. From intricate parquet designs to simple straight planks in cool and warm natural wood tones, wood effect vinyl is a speedy way to spruce up your bathroom.
If you’ve always dreamt of a bathroom with a marble floor, how about choosing marble effect flooring instead? Imitating luxurious Calcatta marble with its smooth white base and delicate grey veins, our marble vinyl flooring has the classical look with all the benefits of modern flooring built in – not to mention the significantly lower price! We’ve got lots of modern marble bathroom flooring inspiration for you to explore over in the Ideas Hub.
Featuring gorgeous Victoriana designs, elegant Fleur de Lys motifs, and fun Mediterranean tile patterns, our geometric vinyl offers chance to add some character to your bathroom. Perfect for both older properties and modern homes, these eye-catching designs will certainly make a splash!
Bathrooms should be relaxing spaces, somewhere to wind down and wash the day away before you head to bed, but also a place where you can have a slow and gentle start to the day. The colours you select for your bathroom flooring will have an effect on the mood of the room, so choose wisely!
Beige stone vinyl flooring will create a luxury hotel bathroom vibe. Stripped back with a subtle warmth, it feels natural and grounded.
Brown vinyl flooring is a great choice if you want to give the impression of an original hardwood bathroom floor. Unlike real wood, however, bathroom vinyl won’t get watermarks or warp.
From the classic Victorian key square to retro American diner style, black and white bathroom flooring is always on trend. Both classic and modern, it goes with lots of different bathroom decor colours, and looks really striking.
Blue bathroom flooring often features the tile designs styles seen in warmer climates like Morocco, Greece, and Spain. Vibrant and full of character, it’s ideal for smaller bathrooms.
For a contemporary look, choose grey bathroom flooring. We’ve got vinyl styles that imitate concrete, terrazzo, slate, or marble, giving your space more of a high-end feel.
The most popular bathroom colours are favourites for a reason! Here are our suggestions for complementary colours for your new bathroom decor:
Fresh and bright, a white bathroom complements the entire colour spectrum. Add soft touches through bath mats and towels, and bring in houseplants to prevent a white bathroom from feeling too clinical.
From navy to pale blue to the bright blues of the Mediterranean, this colour is frequently used in bathrooms to create a coastal vibe. Introduce natural textures through bathroom accessories and decor, or a fiery accent colour like red, yellow, or orange to warm it up a bit.
Sage green, olive green, and dark green all have a calming zen-like effect, which is why green bathrooms are really popular. Paired with brushed gold bathroom hardware, this is a very luxe colour palette.
Delicate and pretty, pink bathrooms are very soothing and inviting. With warm and flattering undertones, they go well with cooler shades like green, blue, or black.
When looking at vinyl flooring ideas for small bathroom spaces like a downstairs loo or an ensuite, the design itself is very important. Plain vinyl like poured concrete or terrazzo is the best choice because it’s a continuous pattern, which will give the illusion of a bigger space.
If you do choose a tiled effect, check the design size in our specs and go for something small. Avoid an oversized tile where you can only get one or two across the width of the room – it will really draw attention to how small and narrow the space is.
Small bathrooms are a chance to test your creativity. Go for a boldly patterned or brightly coloured vinyl, so people go ‘Wow!’ when they open the bathroom door.
If you think vinyl could be the right flooring option for your bathroom, or if you want to explore our bathroom LVT flooring ideas, then it’s time to order some samples and get down to your local Tapi store. Our helpful floorologists can show you our collections of vinyl flooring, get you a quote, and even arrange fitting. Alternatively, you can book a home visit appointment where we’ll come to you with plenty of samples and heaps of flooring knowledge.
Published: 12-03-2025