We’ve seen countless bathrooms transformed from dull and dated to luxurious, functional retreats. The flooring and decor are key elements to achieve this transformation. A perfectly designed bathroom should look good, and stand the test of time. It has to be durable, functional, and the decor must be timeless. Let’s look at the best materials, styles, and tips to help homeowners make well informed flooring and decor design decisions.

Choosing the Right Bathroom Flooring Before the Decor

In every bathroom remodel, it starts with the flooring. The right flooring is about the balance of style, durability, and cost.

Tile

Bathrooms are wet environments. Water resistance is a must. Ceramic tile is the classic, proven choice because it is waterproof, durable, and offers practically unlimited design options. There are even several types of ceramic tiles that mimic natural materials like stone or wood. This can provide the amazing look of hardwood in the bathroom, but without suffering the moisture problems that come with natural hardwood. 

Textured Tile

Safety is the top priority when choosing bathroom flooring. Wet flooring may become slippery, and lead to accidents. Textured tiles provide added slip resistance to enhance safety without compromising style. In addition, the added grout lines of smaller tiles, such as mosaic tiles, also provide more traction on bathroom floors. 

Tile Patterns and Layouts

The layout of tiles or planks impacts the overall look of a bathroom. A thoughtfully planned arrangement elevates the design.

Herringbone and chevron patterns bring classic elegance and a sense of movement to the floor. These patterns work beautifully with wood-like tile planks. Large format tiles offer a seamless, modern appearance with minimal grout lines for a clean and contemporary feel. However, untextured large format tiles can be slippery. Mosaic tiles are usually used as accents within larger tiles. They are often used to define an area, such as the transition into the shower, or a recessed shelf within a tiled shower. 

Luxury Vinyl Plank

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a budget friendly, waterproof flooring surface that is softer underfoot compared to tile. However, it is not as durable.

Natural Stone

When looking for luxury, homeowners choose natural stone such as marble, slate, or travertine. Each type of stone offers unique patterns and textures, but they require more maintenance. Stone requires periodic sealing to prevent water damage.

Radiant Floor Heating

Radiant floor heating elevates the bathroom experience during winter months. It eliminates the discomfort of stepping out of the shower onto cold tile, and transforms the bathroom into warm oasis. This system works by embedding heating elements beneath the flooring, which makes it ideal to install during a bathroom remodel.

Radiant Heat Benefits

Radiant heating offers several benefits: It heats the room evenly, which reduces the load on HVAC systems. It adds comfort to every winter trip to the bathroom, especially after a shower or bath.  Lastly, radiant floor heating improves the value of a home.

Decor in Bathroom Remodeling

After selecting the perfect flooring, decor choices have to compliment the rest of the design. From color schemes to fixtures, every detail contributes to the bathroom’s cohesive design.

The flooring sets the tone for the entire bathroom’s color palette. Neutral tones like beige, gray, or white are versatile, and preferred by homebuyers. In addition, neutral tones set a foundation for bold accent tiles or wall colors. On the other end of the color spectrum, darker flooring creates a dramatic contrast with lighter walls and fixtures. It adds depth and sophistication.

Fixtures

Fixtures such as faucets, towel bars, and showerheads must align with the bathroom’s overall style. Modern designs often feature matte black finishes to contrast neutral tones. Traditional styles typically call for polished chrome fixtures. 

Accents

Decorative walls and accents elevate the bathroom’s look even further. Tiling the walls creates a seamless, cohesive look, especially with the addition of bold accent tiles. Tiles that extend into showers and behind bathtubs are often designed with mosaic tile accents. However, many homeowners choose the understated look of a tiled floor, and a backsplash above the sink. 

Lighting

Lighting has a huge impact on a bathroom’s look, as well as its function. When the lighting is chosen with the flooring and decor in mind, it enhances the space’s overall appeal.

Ambient lighting, such as strips beneath a floating vanity, provide safety at night. Task lighting above the mirror provides the proper illumination to get yourself together each day. Accent lighting adds another layer to achieve a balanced effect. Recessed ceiling lights provide overall brightness, and sconces on either side of the mirror eliminate shadows to make grooming easier. 

Maximizing Space: Decor Tips for Small Bathrooms

Smaller bathrooms present unique challenges, but strategic flooring and decor choices can make them feel larger and become more functional. White or light colored flooring reflects more light, and makes small bathrooms feel more spacious. A floating, wall mounted vanity provides more floor space, and gives a more open feel. For storage, we have to look upward. Take advantage of the vertical space in a small bathroom with storage above the toilet or high on the walls for added storage without cluttering the floor. A large mirror amplifies natural light, and makes the room feel larger.

Maintenance Tips for Long Lasting Flooring and Decor

Proper maintenance is essential to preserve the form and function of bathroom floors and decor. It is much easier to keep grout lines clean than to scrub months of stains out of them. Avoid acidic or abrasive cleaners that can damage tiles and finishes. A strong exhaust fan installed in the bathroom helps to reduce moisture and prevents mold, so be sure to consider installing a new bathroom fan during your remodel.

The Right Contractor for Flooring and Decor

Professional installation is crucial. Especially considering the complexity of waterproofing a remodeled bathroom. An experienced, certified contractor such as the team here at Flooring Masters ensures precision in flooring installation, offers expert advice on choices for materials and design, and completes the project efficiently without compromise. From aligning intricate tile patterns to embedding radiant heating systems, the expertise of a professional makes all the difference.

The Takeaway

Bathroom flooring and decor are critical to every remodeling project. The right flooring and decor choices are a balance of function and beauty. With the right materials, thoughtful design, and expert craftsmanship, homeowners can create a bathroom that stands the test of time while providing a serene room to retreat to at the end of a long day. 

We help our customers design and build their dream bathrooms because it is rewarding for us, and our customers call us again because it’s rewarding for them as well.

The Flooring Masters team is happy to help you choose the new flooring and decor for your bathroom remodel. Please Call or Email us today for a free estimate.