Bathroom Floor Tiles: Everything You Need to Know

Choosing the right bathroom floor tiles is essential for creating a space that is both functional and stylish. The floor is one of the most important design elements in any bathroom, and the tiles you select can significantly influence the room’s look and feel. With so many options available, finding the perfect floor tiles for bathroom designs requires careful consideration.

There’s more to buying bathroom tiles than just picking a colour or pattern that catches your eye. Understanding the types of bathroom floor tiles and their specific features—such as slip resistance, durability, and moisture tolerance—is crucial to making the right choice. Selecting tiles designed specifically for wet areas ensures your bathroom is safe, long-lasting, and visually appealing.

As the head of purchasing at Ross’s Discount Home Centre, I’ve spent years helping homeowners choose the perfect tiles for their projects. In this article, I’ll share my expertise to help you make an informed decision. Whether you’re building a new bathroom or updating an existing one, this guide will provide all the tips you need to select the best tiles for your bathroom floors.

Types of bathroom floor tiles

Before selecting your bathroom floor tile, it’s important to understand the various types of floor tiles available to determine which one best meets your needs.

Ceramic Floor Tiles

Ceramic floor tiles, also known as non-porcelain floor tiles, are the most popular choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and other moisture-prone areas. They are usually made out of white, red, or brown clay that is kiln-fired and finished with a glazing material. Glazing makes the tile surface non-porous and dense, making ceramic tiles stain-resistant, slip-resistant, and fire-resistant. Glazing also determines the pattern and colour of a ceramic tile and makes it easy to clean and maintain. Ceramic floor tiles are suitable for use in bathrooms that experience light to moderate traffic as they are relatively prone to chipping and wear. Modern ceramic tiles are available in various styles, designs, and finish options, including matte, polished, satin, glossy, and semi-polished.

Read our blog post, The 101 of Ceramic Tiles, to learn more about this popular floor tile option.

Porcelain Floor Tiles

Porcelain floor tiles are another popular tile choice and can be used in indoor and outdoor flooring applications. Porcelain tiles are much harder and denser than ceramic tiles, which makes them more suitable for use in areas that experience high foot traffic. And unlike ceramic tiles, they usually carry the colour and pattern throughout the entire thickness of the tile. As with ceramic tiles, the surface of porcelain tiles is also hardwearing and resistant to scratches and stains. They are also very easy to clean and maintain. Porcelain tiles offer better stain and water resistance as compared to ceramic tiles but are usually more expensive as well.

Read our Beginners Guide to Porcelain Tiles to learn more.

Stone & Stone-Look Floor Tiles

Natural stone tiles are yet another suitable tile choice for bathroom floors. Such tiles are made from natural stones such as limestone, marble, granite, travertine, and slate, among others. Natural stone tiles are available in a wide array of styles, colours, and patterns for you to choose from. However, do note that natural stone tiles are porous and they are prone to absorbing water, stains, and lubricants, which is why stone-look floor tiles are so popular—they offer the look of stone while being non-porous. If you choose to go with natural stone tiles, then you should make sure that the tile surface is properly sealed and make sure to maintain your tiles periodically. Doing so will keep them looking flawless, will prevent damages and stains and will ensure longevity. Also, note that natural stone tiles are the most expensive flooring option of all types of floor tiles.

Read our article on Stone-Look Tiles to discover why these trendy tiles are an excellent choice for bathroom flooring.

Patterned Bathroom Floor Tiles

Patterned floor tiles have become a major trend in modern bathroom design, offering the perfect blend of functionality and style. These tiles are an excellent way to add visual interest and personality to your bathroom floor without overwhelming the space. Patterned tiles are available in a wide variety of styles, from vintage-inspired motifs to contemporary geometric designs, making it easy to find something that matches your unique taste.

Some of the current popular trends in patterned floor tiles include:

• Geometric Patterns: Bold, angular shapes like hexagons, diamonds, and chevrons are trending for a modern, sleek look. These geometric patterns create a dynamic, clean aesthetic that is perfect for minimalistic or industrial-style bathrooms.
• Moroccan and Mediterranean Patterns: Known for their intricate, detailed designs and vibrant colours, Moroccan and Mediterranean-inspired tiles bring an exotic, bohemian feel to your bathroom. These tiles are especially popular in neutral tones like greys and blues to maintain a serene atmosphere.
• Encaustic-look Tiles: With their classic and vintage charm, encaustic-look tiles offer a timeless appeal. Featuring floral or ornamental motifs, these tiles often come in muted colours, adding an elegant touch to any bathroom design.
• Bold Monochrome: Black-and-white patterned tiles are a go-to option for creating a striking contrast. These tiles work particularly well in creating a modern, stylish look with a minimalist edge while still offering plenty of visual interest.

Patterned bathroom floor tiles are not just about aesthetics—they are also functional, offering durability and easy maintenance. Many of these tiles are made from porcelain or ceramic, making them resistant to water and wear. When choosing patterned tiles, always consider the slip rating to ensure they are safe for wet areas like bathroom floors. Patterned tiles provide an excellent way to transform your bathroom into a designer space with a distinctive flair.

Tile size

Bathroom floor tiles are available in many different sizes and shapes. You’ll need to consider the layout of your bathroom and the look you want to achieve in order to choose the right tile size.

Square bathroom floor tiles are the most common type, and they come in standard sizes of 300x300mm and 600x600mm. Square tiles are incredibly popular because they offer excellent uniformity and they are easy to work with. They’re the perfect choice for creating a traditional, classic, and neutral bathroom.

Modern bathroom floor tiles come in rectangular, hexagonal, and other shapes. While these tiles can help you create a unique look, working with irregularly shaped tiles means that you will need to be careful with your measurements. You should also consider hiring an experienced tiler to get a flawless finish.

Other considerations

Apart from the tile type and shape, you should consider other factors before purchasing bathroom floor tiles. These include checking the tile’s slip and wear ratings.

Because bathroom floors are wet areas, bathroom floor tiles are put through a slip-wear rating test to assess frictional characteristics. The higher the slip wear rating of a tile, the better suited it is for use in heavy-duty applications.

This table will give you a better idea about the slip wear ratings of bathroom floor tiles:

• PEI Class 1 (absolutely no foot traffic): These tiles are recommended for wall use only.
• PEI Class 2 (light foot traffic): These tiles are recommended for bathroom floor and wall use.
• PEI Class 3 (light to moderate foot traffic): These tiles are recommended for walls, benchtops, and floors that experience normal foot traffic.
• PEI Class 4 (moderate to heavy foot traffic): These tiles are recommended for use in residential and light commercial or institutional flooring applications.
• PEI Class 5 (heavy to extra heavy foot traffic): These tiles are recommended for use in heavy-duty commercial and institutional flooring applications.

Always make sure to purchase floor tiles that are suitable for use in wet areas. The last thing you want to do is choose floor tiles that don’t offer the appropriate slip resistance.

Where to find high-quality bathroom floor tiles in Perth

When it comes to finding high-quality bathroom floor tiles at the best prices, look no further than Ross’s Discount Home Centre. We’re one of Perth’s largest stockists of tiles, and we offer an entire selection of ceramic, porcelain, natural stone, and patterned tiles for you to choose from. Our bathroom floor tiles are available in a wide range of colours, patterns, designs, and style options. Whether you’re looking to create a modern, contemporary, classic, or traditional look, you’ll find the best bathroom floor tiles Perth has to offer. To help you get started, here are some bathroom floor tile recommendations from our range.

If you’re looking to go with ceramic floor tiles, consider our Matang Light Bianco and our Celina Charcoal tiles, which are best sellers at Ross’s. Alternatively, for porcelain floor tiles, take a look at our Normandy Navona Smooth Grip tiles, my personal favourite. For patterned floor tiles, view our extensive feature tile range, where you’re sure to find a suitable option. Finally, for natural stone-look tiles, choose from our stone-look tile range, which looks amazing in any application, including bathroom floors.

Conclusion

Bathroom floor tiles play a crucial role in defining your bathroom’s style and functionality. Whether you’re building a new bathroom or renovating an existing one, selecting the right type of floor tile is essential. From classic ceramic and durable porcelain to earthy natural stone and intricate mosaic tiles, there are many options to choose from. Each offers unique characteristics to help you create a bathroom that suits your taste and lifestyle.

When selecting bathroom floor tiles, take accurate measurements, consider the tile’s slip resistance, and ensure that your choice is suited for wet areas. This attention to detail will ensure a safe and visually appealing space.

If you’re still deciding on your bathroom design, our guide to choosing the perfect bathroom wall tiles and selecting the best tiles for bathroom renovations can offer valuable insights. And for the best quality bathroom floor tiles in Perth, visit Ross’s Discount Home Centre. Visit our Guildford showroom or shop online today to find a tile that matches your vision and budget.