Overwhelmed by so many flooring options you can use for your bathroom? We get you. As a homeowner, you want something durable that will last for a long time, but you also want something stylish and add some character to the room.
In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about different types of flooring for your bathroom and how much each option costs. Continue reading below to know which material suits your needs best and fits your budget.
Which Flooring Type Is Best for My Bathroom?
For homeowners, the bathroom is the most difficult to decorate. It's where you start to de-load all the stress of the day, so it should be a space where you can pamper yourself. Aside from the appliance and furniture inside, flooring is also crucial. Your flooring material should be safe to use and durable, especially since it's always in contact with water.
Let's look at the different flooring types and see if they are most suited for your bathroom flooring options.
Natural Stone Flooring
- No one can deny the beauty of natural stone flooring. That's why many homeowners use this flooring material in their living spaces. It can be a big investment at first, but it adds real estate value to your property if you plan to sell it in the future.
- There are different types of natural stone. If you want something for your bathroom, there are non-porous choices for you. Quartz and Soapstone are the best choices. These materials don't absorb water and are not prone to stains. In addition, these floors don't have reactions to cleaning chemicals, so you're sure they won't ruin your flooring quality.
- Stone can easily radiate heat. So during the winter, you can install a heater on your flooring to keep your bathroom warm.
- Natural stone flooring can outlive you. With proper and regular maintenance, flooring experts believe that stone floors can last 100 years.
- The average cost of stone flooring is between $30 to $50. You also need to spend extra on installation fees because it takes professional workers to install the stone flooring properly.
Solid Hardwood Flooring
- Solid hardwood flooring can give any living space a classic and timeless look. In addition, there are solid hardwood materials that have natural waxes and can repel a certain amount of liquid, so it's safe to use in the bathroom.
- Aside from its appearance, solid hardwood is naturally warm, so it is comfortable underfoot during the cold season.
- It's hard to install hardwood flooring by yourself. For a better and seamless outcome, hire a professional. The gaps in the floor planks should be completely sealed so no moisture can pass through the floor planks that can cause rotting. Additionally, these floors also need a coating on the top layer that protects them against moisture.
- The average cost of solid hardwood flooring is between $8 to $40, depending on the type of wood you choose. Other rare types of wood can cost more than $65 per square meter.

Laminate Flooring
- Laminate flooring is an excellent alternative for a cheaper flooring option. The cost of the flooring averages between $3 to $8 per square meter. This flooring material is easy to install, so you don't need to hire a professional.
- Laminated floors planks are made from multiple resin layers that act as the moisture barrier for the wood chip base. It also has wear and tear layer for durability. This floor can easily last up to 30 years.
- You can easily spot if the liquid has penetrated your laminated planks. You will find a bubble under the clear layer, and your planks will expand. You can tear the damaged plank and replace them with a new one without needing professional tools.
Vinyl Flooring
- Vinyl flooring is a waterproof bathroom flooring option. You can have vinyl flooring in planks, tiles, or sheets to install it seamlessly and ensure that moisture won't seep through the subfloor, which can weaken the adhesive that bonds the floor to your vinyl tiles.
- Vinyl is another cost-effective option when you're on a budget. Its average cost is between $1 to $5 per square foot. At the same time, luxury vinyl tiles can cost between $10 to $20 per square foot, depending on the quality of the material.
- You'll never run out of design options with vinyl. Vinyl flooring has an image layer that can mimic any flooring you want. You can have a printed wood or stone design, and you can have flooring that is not as expensive as the original materials.
- These vinyl tiles can also be textured, depending on your preference. The textured vinyl tiles can give you the experience of walking on wood or stone floors.
Porcelain and Ceramic Tiles
- Porcelain and ceramic tiles are the most popular flooring options for bathrooms. Everything you're looking for in flooring, these tiles have it. It's affordable, beautiful, durable, and most importantly, waterproof.
- Tiles come in different shapes and sizes; square and hexagonal are the most popular choices. The grouts also come in different shades, so you can be as creative if you want to.
- You can have your tiles textured to have anti-slip bathroom flooring. In addition, you can have a heated tile under your flooring, so your bathroom floor feels warm underfoot.
- Ceramic and porcelain tiles have endless designs. If you want solid colors or geometric patterns, you can have them. You can even have ceramic tile mimic wood or stone flooring to elevate the appearance of your bathroom without spending too much.
- Porcelain tiles can cost between $3 t0 $7 per square foot, while ceramic tile costs $0.50 to $7 per square foot. You can install these tiles as a DIY project, but you must be precise to even your floors, or you can have a professional do it for you for a better outcome.
Concrete flooring
- If your home has a slab foundation, the cost-effective material is a concrete floor. You can have concrete floors stained or dyed so the floor matches the overall appearance of your interior.
- Concrete floors are completely waterproof. You can have it polished and textured to add a little traction on your floors to prevent you from slipping when it's wet.
- Concrete flooring can cost between $2 to $7 per square foot. You'll spend additional costs if you want it stained or polished. This extra labor can cost you up to $30 per square foot, depending on what design you want to render your floors with.
Cork Flooring
- If you're looking for a sustainable flooring option, cork flooring is for you. Cork is commonly made from oak tree bark, so no part of the tree goes to waste. It's also very durable, which makes it an excellent flooring material.
- Cork can absorb water, so there's no problem using it in the bathroom. In addition, the water absorbed by the cork will evaporate after some time, so you don't have to worry about the floors retaining the water.
- Cork flooring has unique grain patterns, which makes it attractive. And since it's made from tree bark, it has a natural texture that gives it an anti-skid feature.
- Depending on the thickness you prefer, cork flooring can cost between $1.50 to $14 per square foot.

Final Thoughts
When choosing flooring for bathrooms, especially with a limited budget, you need to consider many things. Different materials have different features that suit your needs. It doesn't always have to be the most expensive to look beautiful, and it doesn't always have to be the cheapest so you can save.
Knowing the bathroom size and the correct material to use will not only build you the bathroom of your dream but can also be an excellent investment.
We hope this list of flooring materials helps you with your bathroom decorations. For more inspiration and ideas on living space flooring, you can check our reviews and buying guides.