Best bathroom floor tiles: style and durability for every home

Our new Adventuras Palma Terracotta Porcelain tiles have been designed by renowned pattern designer Zoe Glencross. Featuring a pretty pattern in a matt finish, this design offers a subtle Mediterranean finish in this bathroom

Finding the perfect bathroom floor tiles means balancing style, durability, and safety. So let's explore top options like ceramic, porcelain, and stone effect tiles, highlighting their benefits and practical considerations. Simply read on to discover the best choice for your bathroom.

Main points to consider

• Bathroom floor tiles are available in ceramic, porcelain, and stone effect materials, each offering unique benefits in terms of affordability, durability, and aesthetics.

• Consider practical aspects like slip resistance, compatibility with underfloor heating, and maintenance needs when selecting tiles to ensure safety and functionality.

• Creating cohesion in bathroom design involves coordinating wall and floor tiles, using matching sets for unity or contrasting styles for added depth and interest.

Exploring bathroom floor tiles

Our new Oxford Black 29.5cm x 29.5cm bathroom tiles are porcelain mosaics which feature a classic Victorian style. Suitable for floors and walls, these look striking if you pair them with chic white metro tiles

Bathroom floor tiles come in all sorts of materials, each offering distinct benefits and aesthetics. Here are some options to consider:

• Ceramic tiles for their affordability and versatility

• Porcelain tiles for their durability and moisture resistance

• Stone effect tiles for their elegance

So there’s an ideal choice for every home.

Selecting the right tile requires considering safety, comfort, compatibility with heating systems, and maintenance.

Here are the unique characteristics of ceramic, porcelain, and stone effect tiles:

Ceramic tiles

Our new Abbey Fountains matt ceramic bathroom tiles offer a classic finish on this floor, complete with a roll-top bath. This alternative to traditional encaustic tiles offers you the chance to make your floors (or walls) into a striking centrepiece in your bathroom

Ceramic tiles are favoured for bathroom floors because they are cost-effective with a wide range of design options. Their affordability makes them ideal for budget-conscious homeowners.

Ceramic tiles offer a vast array of colours and styles, enabling a personalised look that matches your bathroom’s decor. Their versatility suits both traditional and contemporary designs.

Porcelain tiles

Our new Sorrento Correale porcelain matt bathroom tiles offer an Art Deco-style aesthetic in this contemporary bathroom. Ideal for adding a sense of drama to the floor, these tiles feature a slip rating of R10, making them a great choice

Porcelain tiles are celebrated for their durability and resistance to water and stains, thanks to their dense composition. This makes them ideal for bathrooms, where water exposure is frequent.

They also resist stains and scratches, keeping your bathroom floors pristine for years.

Stone effect tiles

Our Ascoli Porcelain Grigio 40 x 60cm bathroom tiles look like travertine with tumbled edges, however they are made from porcelain with a satin finish, for an easy to maintain finish

Stone effect tiles offer an elegant and sophisticated look by mimicking natural stone, providing luxury without the high maintenance of real stone.

Besides being easier to maintain, stone effect tiles resist wear, making them a practical and stylish bathroom option.

Choosing the right style for your bathroom floors

Our new Zayda Yellow Multi Matt Vitrified Ceramic 450 x 450mm tiles are ideal if you want to add a splash of colour to a neutral bathroom scheme

The style you choose for your bathroom floors significantly impacts the overall design and ambiance. Options like sophisticated marble effect, sleek concrete effect, or vibrant patterned tiles can transform your bathroom into a personalised oasis. Mixing different tile colours and textures can create a dynamic design that reflects your personal taste.

Marble effect

Marble effect tiles create a sophisticated and luxurious bathroom atmosphere, mimicking natural marble’s elegance without the high maintenance. The marble effect can add a touch of classic beauty to your space, making it feel more refined and stylish.

Concrete effect

Concrete effect tiles offer a sleek, minimalist look ideal for modern bathrooms, combining practicality with visual appeal. Concrete effect tiles can add an industrial touch, giving your bathroom a unique, edgy, modern vibe.

Patterned tiles

Patterned tiles add character and visual interest to your bathroom. With numerous designs available, they offer unique customisation, helping your bathroom stand out. Bold geometric patterns or intricate floral designs can introduce vibrant, dynamic elements to your decor.

Practical considerations for bathroom floor tiles

Our Lin Porcelain 59.2 x 59.2cm bathroom tiles not only look striking, but they also feature a satin finish, which offers plenty of slip resistance with an R10 rating, for a practical design

When choosing bathroom floor tiles, consider practical aspects like slip resistance, compatibility with underfloor heating, and maintenance needs to ensure a beautiful, safe, and functional bathroom. Evaluating the durability, maintenance requirements, and safety features of different tile materials helps you make an informed decision.

Slip resistance

Slip resistance is crucial for bathroom tiles, especially in family bathrooms where safety is paramount. Tiles with a high resistant to friction help prevent slips and falls in wet environments, reducing the risk of accidents that can lead to wet feet. Non-slip tiles provide better traction, enhancing safety, and are essential for bathrooms used by children and the elderly.

Underfloor heating compatibility

Underfloor heating systems enhance bathroom comfort, and many tile materials are compatible. Ceramic, stone, and porcelain tiles are particularly suitable due to their excellent thermal conductivity. These tiles, used with underfloor heating, ensure a warm and inviting bathroom floor, enhancing overall comfort.

Maintenance and durability

Tile materials vary in maintenance needs and durability. Marble effect tiles, for example, provide a luxurious look without natural marble’s high maintenance, while concrete effect tiles are strong and durable, suitable for high-traffic areas. Understanding the maintenance needs and longevity of different tiles helps you choose an option that balances beauty and practicality for your bathroom.

Colour choices for bathroom floor tiles

Colour choices significantly influence your bathroom’s design. Neutral tones, like beige and light grey, offer a timeless foundation, while bold colours like deep blue create a vibrant, dynamic atmosphere. Mixing and matching colours and styles can create a personalised, cohesive bathroom design.

Neutral tones

Our Riverstone White Flat Cut Pebble Mosaic tiles will bring spa-style appeal to any bespoke bathing heaven. In neutral tones, these offer a matt finish making them ideal for a bathroom floor

Neutral tones create a serene, sophisticated bathroom atmosphere. These versatile shades adapt to various design styles, offering a timeless choice. These tones in bathroom tiles provide a calm, elegant backdrop, allowing other decor elements to stand out.

Bold Colours

Bold colours like deep blue are increasingly popular for bathroom tiles. These vibrant hues create a striking visual impact, adding energy and personality. They provide a dramatic contrast to lighter fixtures and decor, perfect for a modern, stylish bathroom.

Mixing and matching

Mixing and matching tiles creates a unique, personalised bathroom design. Combining neutral tones with bold colours adds depth and interest, while patterned tiles with solid colours create a dynamic, visually appealing look. This approach ensures your family bathroom reflects your individual style and preferences.

Enhancing your bathroom space with tile layouts

Your bathroom tile layout can significantly enhance the space’s overall look and feel. From the classic elegance of a herringbone pattern to the spacious feel of large format tiles, the right layout can transform your bathroom.

Mosaic tiles offer versatility for intricate designs and focal points. The right tile layout helps achieve your dream bathroom design.

Herringbone pattern

Our Chatham Porcelain Walnut tiles look just like wood without any of the maintenance required. Designed here in a herringbone effect, these add classic styling to this contemporary bathroom sanctuary

The herringbone tile layout is celebrated for its classic elegance and ability to add movement and depth to the flooring. This pattern creates a sophisticated look, making any bathroom feel more stylish and refined. The herringbone pattern’s visual effect can make a small bathroom appear larger and more dynamic.

Large Format Tiles

Large format tiles, typically over 600x600mm, create a streamlined, spacious bathroom look. Minimising grout lines enhances the sense of space, making smaller bathrooms feel more open and airy. The combination of large size and minimal grout lines creates a clean, modern aesthetic.

Mosaic Tiles

Mosaic tiles are versatile and can craft detailed designs or accentuate specific areas in your bathroom. They are ideal for unique focal points like splashbacks or feature walls, adding creativity and artistry. Mosaic tiles allow intricate patterns that enhance your bathroom’s overall design.

Creating cohesion with wall and floor tiles

Achieving a cohesive bathroom design involves carefully coordinating wall and floor tiles for visual harmony. Whether using matching sets for a seamless look, contrasting styles for depth, or distinctive tiles for highlights, the right combination elevates your bathroom’s aesthetic. This approach ensures every element of your bathroom design works together harmoniously.

Matching sets

Using tiles from the same collection for wall tiles and floors ensures a unified, cohesive aesthetic. Matching sets share colour and texture, creating a seamless look that enhances your bathroom’s overall design. This approach brings harmony and sophistication, making the space more visually appealing.

Contrasting styles

Incorporating tiles with contrasting styles adds depth and visual interest to your bathroom, defining different areas within the space and making it more dynamic. Whether opting for modern patterns or timeless classics, various styles enhance your bathroom’s visual complexity and appeal.

Highlighting features

Strategically using tiles to highlight specific features like bathtubs or showers draws attention to these areas. Distinctive colours and patterns accentuate these features, making them focal points. This technique adds design sophistication and ensures your bathroom’s unique qualities shine through.

Picking the right tiles

Our Woodland Glade Porcelain tiles are one of our bestselling designs from our extensive range. From The National Trust Tile Collection, these have a matt finish and come in an intricate pattern making them perfect for feature flooring

Choosing the right bathroom floor tiles involves balancing aesthetics with practicality. From the affordability and versatility of ceramic tiles to the durability and moisture resistance of porcelain tiles, each material offers distinct advantages. Stone effect tiles add a touch of luxury while being easier to maintain, making them a sophisticated choice for any bathroom.

Incorporating various styles and colours, from neutral tones to bold hues, and exploring different tile layouts like herringbone or mosaic, can transform your bathroom into a personalised oasis. Practical considerations such as slip resistance, underfloor heating compatibility, and maintenance needs are crucial to ensure safety and longevity. Ultimately, by coordinating wall and floor tiles and highlighting specific features, you can create a cohesive and stylish bathroom that reflects your unique taste.