Bathroom flooring rules we should always follow

Flooring is vital in every room, but none more so than in the bathroom, where spillages are common, alongside heavy footfall. If you’re thinking of updating the flooring in this well-used practical room, then here are some ‘rules’ that should never be deviated from.

Install slip-resistant flooring

Bathrooms are inherently moist spaces and at the very least the flooring should be moisture-resistant. Ideally, it should be completely waterproof so that people are not prone to slips. Textured tiles such as stone and woodgrain that is raised will provide grip, as will mosaics, which have grout lines with built-in slip resistance.

Choose flooring that blends with the rest of the home

Bathrooms are often conspicuous spaces that fail to blend in with the rest of the home. If you want this vital living space to be more harmonious with other rooms, choose flooring that provides a sense of cohesion as you move through the rooms. This can be achieved by selecting flooring in a similar colour, pattern, and material to other flooring in the home, particularly in the room that is adjacent to the bathroom.

Consider flooring colour carefully

It might sound obvious, but the colour of your bathroom flooring should be considered very carefully. A general rule of thumb is that lighter tones will help create a sense of airiness, while darker colours can bring drama and playfulness to the space. Whether you opt for matt or gloss finishes will also have an impact on the look and feel of the space, with gloss generally creating a bolder look, and matt being more in-line with a subdued and sophisticated design.

Pay attention to grout lines

Grout lines are important on all tiled floors, but especially in a bathroom where they can affect the visual impact of the flooring. If you want a more rustic, traditional look, opt for wider grout lines, whereas narrower lines provide a sleeker, more contemporary feel. In a bathroom, grout should be sealed with a grout sealer that will penetrate and protect the grout, stopping unsightly mildew and mould from forming.

Ensure the flooring is level

Another ‘rule’ that might sound obvious but should never be ignored, is to ensure the flooring is level. Unlevel flooring not only jeopardises the style and aesthetic appeal of the bathroom, but it can be a trip hazard.