How To Choose A Bathroom Floor Tile

Choosing a bathroom tile isn't always just about the look.

You need to think about how it will wear. What kind of tile is safe on a wet floor.

The price, the ease of installation and ok, ok, the look!

Here are a few more important considerations, plus a comparison of tile types.



Many of you know that right now, we are in the middle of a major Exquisitely Unremarkable bathroom makeover.

To be perfectly honest, that was not the plan. All I really wanted was a new bathtub.

Of course, once the rip out began, it sort of took on a life of its own...as renovations often do.

When we started, there really wasn't anything wrong with the bathroom.

Granted it hadn't been remodeled since 2003, but overall, everything was holding up very well.

Even better, since the tiles were white and the decor was cottage style, fitting the aesthetic of this 1920's beach bungalow, it wasn't outdated.
Plus, I still loved it.

However, when the tub was removed, more of the wall and floor tile came up than expected. After a long search, we were able to track down the wall tiles.

The floor was a different story.


I adored my old tile. It was a classic and fit the house perfectly. I never would've ripped it out, but once it was gone, I didn't really want to put it back.

Just get the same thing, my husband said.

No. I wan't something different, I replied.

Why? If you love so much, just do it again. I had to explain to him that the chance to get a new Barbie only comes around once in a while and you don't get the same one you already have. You want new.

Unfortunately, new wasn't so easy.

Since the bathroom was not a planned project, and I was wrapped up with the girls' project, I really hadn't put much thought into what kind of look I was after...that is not the way I usually operate.

So, I wandered about Home Depot, Lowe's, the local tile shops and virtually on Pinterest and came up with a few choices.

Which just confused me more.


There were way too many choices and each one had its own list of pros and cons. I brought home tons of samples and mapped out a bunch of looks around them.

In the end, I chose something not too far off from what I started with.

Turns out when it comes to those Barbies, I have a type. Who knew?

Keep in mind these are just my thoughts, there are so many, many gorgeous homes out there with these materials on the floor.

Decor choices are extremely personal and I respect that. I'm just sharing a bit of what led me to my decision.

Choosing A Bathroom Tile Floor

1. Evaluate Saddle And Subflooring

I have a carpeted hallway. We already had a marble saddle in place, since it was the perfect choice to transition from black and white porcelain tile to the carpet.

It gave the area a very finished look. We really didn't want to have to replace it, so it was a consideration when choosing a tile.

Of course, it wasn't a deal breaker, however, I will say that it was difficult to find a good looking, transition strip for the wood tile to carpet.

We were unable to find a wood tile saddle. It would've been wood, marble or one of those metal tack strips...which a definite no.

We also needed to make sure we had the proper subfloor for the tile we chose and it was in good condition. Turns out we needed to replace ours.

Keep in mind that the tiles were all different thicknesses. Some of my tile samples would've necessitated a different subfloor for a thinner one so the door would close, etc.

2. Price

Money, money, money. It's always a major factor when renovating.

Marble was the most expensive. The porcelain and glass tiles were mid to low range and wood tiles were the least expensive by far.

Yes, there are always exceptions to the rule, but in general that was what we found...whether we were at the box stores or the fancy shop.

Now, my bathroom is exceptionally small...cottage living and all...so cost wasn't a big factor here. We're also in it for the long haul.

We don't have any plans to move or redo this room again anytime within the next decade. If any of those things were a possibility I would definitely take it into consideration.

3. Installation

If a contractor is installing your floor, you might want to inquire whether a certain tiles will be more expensive to put down. If you're a DIYer, there are a whole host of factors to think about, including your own skill level.

Some tiles are much easier to install than others. The tile I eventually chose required many tiny cuts. It was time consuming.

Luckily, my guy is a DIY pro. There are different tile cutters from hand tools to wet saws. We had them all after years of renovations.

4. The Look

Ah...now we get to the fun part. Modern? Farmhouse? Cottage Style? Small tiles, large ones? And don't forget the color.

Next to the walls, your floor will have the biggest visual impact in the room and help to define its style. With all the choices out there, it could drive you a little crazy.

Types Of Tile

1. Wooden Tile

I knew I wanted a rustic look. So I started here.

After all, wood tile is all the rage. It's new and definitely a hot trend. I've admired it online and in other people's homes for years and thought for sure this is where I would end up.

Turns out, I didn't love it once it was on my own floor. Compared to the real wood floors in the kitchen and living room, it clearly looked like tile and the idea of grout lines just didn't sit well with me.

I think if I had a larger bathroom, I would've liked it more. I tried hard to make it work. I played with colors, tile width and patterns, but nothing was right.

In addition, we would've had to lower the subfloor to accommodate its thicker profile and when I spoke to a few contractor friends they said, yes, it's porcelain and strong, but if and when it ever chipped, it was grey underneath.

The wood finish is a simple top coat.

Oh no. That wasn't something I was willing to take a chance on with kids.

It's rare, but chips happen. At least when it happens to wood...it's still wood.

2. Marble

That led me to marble. Totally different direction, but the idea of sparkle intrigued me. Once I got it in my head, I was hooked. I was going to have an elegant, rustic look.

Then my husband, my girlfriends and the tile salespeople lowered the boom. Marble is a nightmare, they all said.

It's porous, it can stain and will stain if the kids dropped conditioner, make up or toothpaste on it and in a bathroom, it's going to get slick after a humid shower. Choose something else, they all said.

Boo. Nobody wants to hear that.

However, again, the tile was thick and the subfloor needed to be lowered.

My contractor - ahem husband- wasn't thrilled with any of that. So I passed.

3. Porcelain and Glass Marble Look-Alikes

Marble looks-alike seemed like the obvious choice.

They came in glass and porcelain and were pretty close to the real thing. But not quite.

Something about them just didn't have that same shine and deep crystal sparkle that the real McCoy did.

There was a little too much gray in most of them for my taste and that didn't seem to fit my new rustic glam aesthetic, so I kept searching.

4. All White Porcelain

Through all the shopping and dreaming, I kept thinking about my old black and white cottage style floor.

There was something so charming about it...small, white octagon tiles, the little shiny black diamonds in between.

It really was perfect, but I wanted new. The next best thing was the same floor in all white. I really liked it. It fit the house, the period styling was correct, the scale was right on.

However, since it was a flat matte tile, it didn't have any sparkle.

It also didn't have any way to camouflage dirt, dust and the long black hair that was being brushed in that space. I was so close...

...and then one day, when I was totally done with shopping, my husband literally dragged me into a tile shop and there it was, the perfect floor.

It was one I hadn't seen anywhere else and it was stunning. It was the exact same floor I used to have in black and white, in white...and white...with sparkle and shine.

I was in love. Again.


So yes, I'm totally boring. Although, I prefer to call myself consistent.

And now that the floor is down, I'm absolutely certain it was the right choice for me.

Hopefully, I'll be ready to share it all very soon. We were this close to completion when I decided I wanted a wooden countertop in there.

More construction.

But that's another story.

What's on your bathroom floor?