What to Consider When Choosing the Best Flooring for a Bathroom Remodel

Floors are a defining aesthetic and functional feature in every room, but especially in bathrooms where traffic and water are always present. You need to select materials that are as safe and practical as they are beautiful.

Picking the best flooring for your bathroom remodel might be more complicated than it seems. There are many factors to consider, from the kinds of materials you use to the colors and styles you want your bathroom to embody.

So, what is the best type of flooring for a bathroom? How do you pick the right one?

Fortunately, at OMG Kitchen and Bath, we’ve handled our fair share of bathroom remodels, and we’ve got some helpful tips for you. Take a look at these top five things to evaluate as you plan and begin your renovations.

1. Think About Future Maintenance

It’s easy to get swept up in the aesthetics of different flooring materials, but remember: you’re going to have to deal with this material on a daily basis. Therefore, you want to choose a material that is easy to keep clean.

You might think, “Isn’t all tile easy to clean?” In our experience, there are certainly some flooring materials that are easy to keep shiny and sanitized than others.

For instance, natural stone is resistant to scratches, mold, stains, and humidity – all of which will be common in a bathroom area. That’s why quartz, marble, granite, and sandstone are some of the best materials for bathroom floors.

On the other hand, cork flooring might be slip-resistant and soft on the feet, but it’s a pain to keep clean. The material serves as a giant sponge, and its porous surface is nearly impossible to sanitize.

No matter what kind of bathroom flooring you’re considering, try to pick a material that is:

  • Waterproof
  • Easy to wipe down
  • Stain-resistant
  • Durable

If you forget to think about future maintenance, you may find yourself stuck with floors you hate as it collects mildew, dust, and scratches.

2. Understand the Installation Process

Next, when thinking about what kind of flooring is best for your bathrooms, we encourage you to research the installation processes.

Tile is one of the best options for bathrooms, but it’s also fairly difficult and time-consuming to install. If you were planning to DIY the project, you may want to consider working with a professional installer instead.

Vinyl planks, in contrast, are a much better alternative if you’re tackling the project on your own. As long as you don’t need to remove existing tile or wood first, you can probably handle the installation with fairly minimal experience.

Regardless of what material you pick, learn about the installation process first. How long will it take? Is it relatively difficult or easy? Should you talk to a contractor before beginning? Asking yourself these questions could save time and money in the future.

3. Run the Numbers

Our third recommendation is to think long and hard about your budget.

According to Angie’s List, the typical cost of a full bathroom remodel ranges from $6,200 to $15,250. Flooring can eat up a huge chunk of your expenses, and it’s arguably one of the best ways to save a little money if you’re on a tight budget.

For an average-sized bathroom, you can expect to spend anywhere from $290 to $382 on flooring materials. Then, if you plan to pay for labor, installation, supplies, and the removal of the previous flooring, you’re looking at more than $2K in expenses.

Fortunately, you can save money on materials by going with a more affordable selection. Some budget-friendly options for bathroom floors include:

  • Standard or luxury vinyl
  • Linoleum
  • Ceramic
  • Porcelain

However, if you have a little more to spend, the best flooring for bathrooms (with a higher price tag) is a natural stone, such as quartz or marble. If you choose to go with a higher-end floor material, you may have to consider cutting costs on other bathroom renovation elements such as cabinets or fixtures.

If you plan to work with a contractor, don’t assume that you know how much installation and labor will cost. Request an estimate upfront so that you can make informed financial decisions as you pick the best tile for your bathroom floor.

4. Assess the Latest Trends

Another big recommendation we give to homeowners is to pay attention to the latest bathroom trends.

Not only will this help your home feel “in style,” but it will also potentially boost the value of your home – something that’s important if you’re planning to sell within the next few years.

In general, porcelain, stone, and ceramic tiles tend to help homes maintain their value for the longest time. Colors like white, black, and gray are timeless, classic choices, but there are also some interesting trends that encourage more colorful, interesting flooring options in bathrooms.

From penny tile floors to brilliant blue tile that continues up the wall, we’ve seen many great design trends in the past year. Take a look at this guide from HGTV for some inspiration.

The bottom line is that, as you pick your new floors and make further design choices, make sure you’re keeping tabs on what’s popular. This could seriously help you improve the value of your home and even sell the house quicker in the coming years.

5. Don’t Forget to Reflect Your Style

Lastly, we want to remind you that your bathroom should embody your style – all the way down to the floors.

Yes, you should still pay attention to what materials are high-quality, affordable, and on-trend, but you should also consider your own aesthetics and preferences.

Do you love unique designs? Look for design inspiration that involves interesting colors and shapes. Are you big into sanitization and organization? Think about the floors that will give you that “oh so clean” vibe as soon as you walk in.

You should also consider the rest of the personal design elements you plan to bring into the bathroom. You might love that pink ceramic tile now, but will it really look good with the colored cabinets you have picked out or the clawfoot bathtub you’ve always wanted?

Don’t be afraid to spend some time experimenting with different patterns, tiles, and paint samples. Committing to a flooring material is a big decision, and it will likely define the bathroom. You need to feel good about the choice you make.

In Conclusion

We’ve probably given you a lot to think about when it comes to your bathroom flooring options. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team at OMG Kitchen and Bath.

We’re a family-owned and operated business in the South Orange County area. Our goal is always to provide personalized experiences to our customers and give them the renovation that perfectly suits their taste, budget, and needs.

If you’re not sure where to start with your upcoming bathroom renovation, let us know. We’re happy to give you some inspiration, as well as provide pricing estimates and recommendations for your particular situation.

To learn more, call 948-540-8859 and set up a free consultation with our designers. We look forward to helping you build the bathroom of your dreams.

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