Best Flooring for Bathrooms

The best flooring for a bathroom is one approved for the room and fitted as a complete, suitable system. Compare the exact product's water-resistance conditions, cleaning needs and installation details, as well as the colour and price.

A bathroom is not the same as a wet room

A plank described as waterproof does not make its joints, perimeter or subfloor a waterproof room. A shower area with water draining across the floor needs a specifically approved system. Do not treat standard glue-down LVT as seamless wet-room flooring: Karndean explicitly says its flooring is not suitable for wet rooms.

Compare the flooring formats

• LVT: individual planks or tiles, with glue-down and floating formats. Check bathroom approval, preparation, perimeter requirements and the permitted adhesive or backing system.
• Sheet vinyl: supplied on a roll, sometimes allowing fewer joins in a small room. The backing, seams and fixing method still need to suit the application. See our sheet vinyl fitting guide.
• Laminate: do not assume all ranges are unsuitable, or that every water-resistant range is approved. Quick-Step explains its bathroom-specific conditions.
• Tile and wood: evaluate the exact product and complete fitting system. The surface material alone does not determine waterproofing, preparation or maintenance.

Grip, comfort and cleaning

Do not infer a slip rating from a matt finish or a wood-grain texture. Ask for the relevant product data and consider how the floor will be used. Water, soap and other spills can create a slipping hazard, so keep the floor clean and dry. Compare samples for feel and appearance, but use technical guidance to decide suitability.

Check the complete project

Have the base, existing covering, floor height and fittings assessed before ordering. Check whether the chosen product can be used with your heating system. Include preparation, approved fixing materials, joins, trims, fitting and delivery when comparing costs; do not choose on the headline m² price alone.

Build your shortlist

Browse LVT and sheet vinyl, then request samples. For a quantity or suitability enquiry, send the product reference, room sketch and intended use. Tell us explicitly if the project is a wet room rather than a conventional bathroom.