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10 Small Bathroom Flooring Ideas

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Sometimes a small room is harder to design than a large one. Today we are talking all about different small bathroom flooring ideas and what to consider with each one.

Flooring is a big decision because it’s not the type of thing you want to redo any time soon. So it’s important to get it right the first time.

I am going to introduce you to different patterns, colors, and materials. They are all things to consider when choosing flooring for a small bathroom.

Let’s talk about design style. Do you like rustic, modern, farmhouse, or something different? This is the first thing you want to think of when choosing your flooring.

If you love rustic then a natural stone or a hardwood might be your perfect flooring. If you love modern then possibly a geometric pattern.

*This post contains affiliate links. For more details see my full disclosure.

Consider the Pattern

No matter what material you choose you need a pattern. The pattern you choose will show off what your design style is. Here are some of my favorite patterns:

  • Herringbone
  • Mosaic
  • Patterned
  • Geometric
  • Penny Tile
  • Fun Shapes
  • Stripes

Small Bathroom Flooring Ideas

There are some great choices when it comes to small bathroom floor tiles. Here are so really great choices as well as some different patterns that you will see in these floors.

Natural Stone

Natural stone flooring is a very durable material and is perfect for both indoors as well as outdoors. They stay naturally cool and are not porous so they repel allergens from hiding in pores.

Stone floors can be very expensive though, especially the installation of them. They can also be slippery, so take caution if this is the type of floor you choose.

A bathroom with lots of slate tile on the floor and wall.
Source: The Tile Shop

Slate tile floors are very cool and rustic. They look great with dark wood tones and as you can see they are great for floors and walls.

Luxury Vinyl Plank (aka LVP)

Luxury Vinyl Plank flooring gives you the look of hardwood floors but for much less. They are waterproof (great for bathrooms), scratch-resistant, and easy to clean.

They are very durable and will last for many years.

A bathroom with shiplap walls and brown LVP wood flooring.  A white free standing tub with a wood bench next to it.
Source: LL Flooring

You will find that LVP comes in many different wood colors, widths, and even different shapes. It’s a great choice for bathrooms that see a lot of moisture.

Luxury Vinyl Tile (aka LVT)

Luxury Vinyl Tile is a form of LVP but it is made to look like natural materials including stone, marble, travertine, or wood. It is scratch-resistant, easy to clean, waterproof, and easy to install.

A bathroom with LVT pattern floor tile next to a tb that has shiplap around it.
Source: Designing Vibes

Luxury Vinyl Tile is simply gorgeous as you can see in the photo above it can come in many colors and designs. This pattern tile looks a lot like cement tile but comes at a fraction of the cost.

Hardwood

Hardwood floors are extremely popular for their durability, low maintenance, and long-lasting qualities but are they good for a bathroom?

Hardwoods do have a hard time in areas with high moisture but there are certain kinds that can do well. Using hardwood floors in a bathroom will require a bit more maintenance but the natural look can be amazing!

A very big bathroom with a clawfoot tub, gold hardware, white vanity and light wood floors.
Source: LL Flooring

This blond hardwood flooring is gorgeous, especially with the black accents in the room. Probably not one I would go with though just because of the moisture and maintenance.

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors which makes them so versatile for any kind of design style. They are very affordable and easy to install.

In the end, ceramic tiles are a great choice for any budget and style.

A bathroom with tan and white geometric floor tiles, a light wood vanity and a woven trash can.
Source: Elizabeth Lawson Designs

Ceramic tiles can be made in so many colors and designs. Here this geometric design has a tan and white look which gives the floor a lot of interest.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tiles are actually made from ceramic tiles but have been exposed to extremely high heat. We are talking nearly 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit.

A bathroom with gray and white checkerboard floor tiles that look like marble next to a white free standing tub.
Source: Guitar and Lace

Checkered floors are classic and timeless. This floor is made with two different colors of porcelain tiles, one in gray and the other in white. They are made to look like marble but cost a fraction of the price of marble!

Cement Tile

Cement tiles are extremely durable, more so than hardwood and ceramic tiles. They also have a very long life which you can extend by properly treating them with sealant.

They are made from natural materials in gorgeous patterns however they do need to be sealed every 2-3 years because they are porous.

Cement tiles are not recommended for the outdoors because they can crack to show distress in extreme weather conditions.

Patterned cement floor tiles and light gray subway tile on the walls, a stool with a flower and towel on it.
Source: Mineral Tiles

Cement tiles have been in use for centuries. These patterned tiles are gorgeous and will last you a very long time!

Terrazzo

Terrazzo flooring is durable and very decorative. It’s made up of chips of other materials that are mixed together and poured into prefabricated shapes.

The chips are made of marble, granite, quartz, glass, and other materials. It is great for indoors or out and can last between 40-100 years!

Terrazzo floors in a bathroom with white stacked subway tile on the wall.
Source: Hut Architecture

I love the look of Terrazzo floors. They are gorgeous and timeless. They have a lot of practical applications but I love the different colors you see in the different floors.

Faux Brick

Faux brick flooring can be made of many different materials. Some are just porcelain tiles made to look like brick, others can be a composite of thin layers of real brick mixed with mdf and high density polyurethane.

They are lightweight, easy to install, and fairy easy on the wallet.

Faux brick floors in a bathroom with a white pedestal sink, cabinetry in light gray with gold hardware.
Source: Sincerely Marie Designs

Faux brick floors add a warmth to a room that has a lot of cold surfaces. You can do them in a brick pattern as shown in teh photo above or (my favorite) a herringbone pattern.

Terra Cotta

Terra Cotta tiles are made from clay which is what gives them their rich red/orange color. The clay tiles are heated in a kiln up to 1,000 degrees.

There are two types, glazed and unglazed. Glazed tiles are put through a second firing process which makes them durable and non-porous. This is best for bathroom floors since it is a wet space.

Terra Cotta tiles are durable, strong, great for indoor or outdoor, and naturally resistant to mold and mildew. They all have slightly different colors which can give a room a very unique look.

Terra Cotta floor tiles and blue subway tile on the shower walls as well as around the bathtub.
Source: Rustico tile

Terra cotta floors add a lot of warmth and come in several unique designs. They have a more rustic or Spanish style feel. As you can see in the phot above they pair very nicely with the blue tile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of flooring is best for a small bathroom?

That totally depends on what your design style is and what you are looking for.

What flooring makes a small bathroom look bigger?

You might think a small pattern on the floor would make a small bathroom look bigger but using a larger scale pattern will make it feel bigger.

Also having a monochromatic look (as in using the same colors scheme throughout the room) will make the bathroom look bigger.

Which way should flooring run in a small bathroom?

If you have a long bathroom, kind of like a bowling alley then run the tile sideways. This makes it look wider than it is. And vice versa.

Other Bathroom Ideas:

A grid of four photos of bathroom floor tiles with text overlay.

As a licensed Real Estate Agent and an avid home decorator, I strive to give my clients the very best I can when it comes to staging, selling, and decorating their homes. I have lots of experience with paint color choices and love to DIY my home so I can have everything just the way I want it. I share my ideas and projects with the world in the hopes that I can help others have their homes just the way they want as well.

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