Jul. 21, 2025
It seems a simple question, but it is the first one to answer as it dictates the type of tile that can be used. The playful mosaic that works wonders for your pool liner is not an option for pool decking. Likewise, some tile cannot face the elements as well as other tile.
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The surface you intend to install the tile on is another important consideration. Concrete slabs work well if they are even and level*, have expansion joints, and are free of cracks. Uneven surfaces can cause grout to crumble. Confirm the substrate is properly prepared before installing tile.
*Outdoor flooring requires slope to allow sufficient rainwater drainage.
Your climate may have an effect on your tile selection as well. If you expect to have regular freeze/thaw cycles you’ll need a dense tile that can stand up to the extreme changes in temperature. If you live in a hot sunny place, you may want to select a light-colored tile that won’t get as hot in the sun as a dark tile.
For in-depth information on selecting tile for your climate, see our Solar Reflectance Index guide.
Scale refers to the size of the space you intend to cover with tile. Traditionally, small spaces take small tiles and large spaces take larger tiles. But a larger size tile in a small space can actually make the space look larger. Likewise, small tiles don’t impinge on the visual size of a large space.
Larger scale tiles (more than 12 x 12) are an exciting addition to spacious areas. Big spaces also allow for more design features, as smaller spaces quickly begin to feel too busy. Keep in mind that large tiles require planning (and perhaps additional cutting) to accommodate the appropriate slope needed for proper drainage.
Planning a new bathroom or remodel involves countless decisions. From large-format tile to mosaics, and ceramic to marble, it can be difficult to know what sizes, finishes and materials are ideal for your space. This comprehensive guide is designed to help you confidently choose the best flooring for your bathroom and create a space you’ll love for years to come.
With so many options for man-made tile (including luxury vinyl flooring) and natural stone—selecting the right material often depends on your desired look, your overall project budget, and your preferred level of maintenance. Here are some of the benefits of our most popular bathroom floor materials.
Man-made materials include clay, vinyl, cement, glass and any other material that is not naturally occurring. In this section, we’ll discuss our most popular man-made materials for bathroom floors: porcelain, ceramic and luxury vinyl flooring.
Porcelain and ceramic tiles are made of clay that has been glazed and fired in a kiln. While porcelain tile, made from a stronger clay and fired at a higher temperature, is slightly more durable, both porcelain and ceramic floor tiles are robust enough to withstand typical bathroom traffic. In addition to being waterproof, these tiles are scratch- and stain-resistant, making them an excellent choice for bathroom floors. Available in a wide variety of shapes, patterns and finishes you can find porcelain and ceramic tiles to complement virtually any design. These tiles can even mimic the appearance of other materials; wood-look or marble-look tiles offer natural beauty with superior durability and easy maintenance.
From left to right: 1. Featuring: Truewood Beige. Design & Photography by Haneen Matt of Haneen’s Haven. 2. Featuring: Enredo Steel Dark Brown, Dark Stainless Steel Somerset and Quartzite Patagonia. 3. Featuring: Invisible Grey, DURAL Black Matte and Nord Ris Hex.
Waterproof, scratch- and stain-resistant luxury vinyl flooring offers the timeless appearance of natural wood and stone with unparalleled durability and hassle-free maintenance. With an affordable price point (styles start at just $1.79 per sq. ft.) and easy installation, luxury vinyl is a great option for budget-conscious or DIY projects. Plus, since all luxury vinyl styles are compatible with in-floor heat, you can create a space that looks and feels extravagant.
Note: Vinyl is a waterproof material; however, standing water can seep through the seams of your luxury vinyl planks and tiles. Ensure proper installation and promptly clean large spills to help prevent damage to the subfloor beneath. Not recommended for use in showers or wet rooms.
Pro Tip: DIY with confidence using our How to Install Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring guide.
From left to right: 1. Featuring: Cyrus Plus Fauna. 2. Featuring: Marmoreal Cement Silver Grey.
Unlike porcelain and ceramic tiles, stone is mined from the earth in large pieces and then cut into individual tiles, revealing inherently unique variations in color and veining. The Tile Shop’s stone collections include field tiles as well as coordinating mosaic and trim pieces, making them an excellent choice for a luxurious whole-bathroom remodel.
At The Tile Shop, you can find natural limestone, quartzite, slate and granite tiles, but here we’ll focus on our two most popular stones for bathrooms: marble and travertine.
These tiles are available in four distinct finishes:
Tumbled: A rough, textured look created by tumbling the stone with rocks.
Brushed: A textured look is achieved by combing the stone with a wire brush.
Honed: A smooth, matte finish.
Polished: A smooth, shiny finish with a sleek surface.
When choosing marble tile, the main considerations are color, finish, and shape. Available in a wide variety of colors–white, beige, and even green and black–marble floor tile can achieve virtually any aesthetic. Whether you like a rough, textured appearance or a smooth matte finish will determine whether you choose tumbled, brushed or honed marble. Polished marble tends to be slippery when wet, so if you prefer this shiny finish, consider a marble mosaic tile, which provides more grout joints for greater traction.
Pro Tip: Regularly treat your marble tile with made-in-U.S.A. Superior Enhancers and Sealers to keep it looking new.
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Clockwise from top: 1. Featuring: Arctic White, Bandung Gris Acid, Riad White, White Pebbles (Small) and Arctic White Skirting. Design and photography by @MaryLauren. 2. Featuring: Arctic White. Design by Annie Selke. Photography by Bethany Nauert Photography. 3. Featuring: Meram Blanc Carrara, Verano White and Meram Blanc Carrara Somerset. Design by Timber Trails Development Company. Photography by John and Maura Stoffer. 4. Featuring: Firenze Carrara Hex. Design and Photography by The Grit and Polish. 5. Featuring: Siberian Pearl. Design by Timber Trails Development Company. Photography by John and Maura Stoffer.
A type of limestone characterized by its formation in natural springs, travertine features rich veining and color variation, with shades ranging from brilliant silver to warm beige to black. Available in the same four finishes as marble, travertine tile has seen a resurgence in recent years thanks to its warm, earthy tones.
Pro Tip: Stretch your bathroom budget by pairing a natural stone floor with a stone-look porcelain or ceramic wall tile.
Right to left: 1. Featuring: Atlanta White, Claros Silver, Claros Silver Barnes, Claros Silver Threshold, Claros Silver Skirting and Claros Silver Hex. Design by Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang. Build by Rick and Kelli Vogelgesang of West Bay Homes. Photography by Spacecrafting. 2. Featuring: Claros Silver. Design & Photography by Coco & Jack.
Both man-made and natural stone tiles are available in a wide range of styles. From hexagons and penny rounds to checkerboards–when it comes to design, there’s no wrong choice. Virtually any floor tile will meet the functional requirements of your bathroom. Ultimately, it comes down to your individual taste. Here are some of our most popular styles to consider.
Since it requires fewer grout lines, large-format tile makes any space feel more cohesive and expansive. Defined as any tile with one side greater than 15″, large-format floor tiles are available in styles up to 48″ x 48″. The majority of these tiles are porcelain, as the strength of this material reduces the risk of cracks and breakage, ensuring smoother installation and superior durability. Cement and stone looks are especially popular in this format, as the large tiles create the appearance of a single, seamless slab.
Left to right: 1. Featuring: Softcement Graphite, Noir Honed Hixton, Noir Honed Threshold, Noir Honed Limestone, Alvarado Matte and Livingstone Nero. Design by Kelli Fontana Vogelgesang. Build by Rick and Kelli Vogelgesang of West Bay Homes. Photography by Spacecrafting. 2. Featuring: Argile Matte White and Livingstone Melange. Design by Nikki Chu
Delicate florals, abstract shapes and textile-influenced designs are all represented in our wide selection of patterned tile. Whether bold or subtle, a pattern can reflect your personality and set the tone for your space. Explore our patterned tile collection to discover the perfect tile for your style.
Pro Tip: “If there’s a tile that stands out to you but you’re having second thoughts because it may be too bold or too colorful, a powder bath is the perfect place to experiment.” – Nikki Chu, Celebrity Designer
Clockwise: 1. Featuring: Nikki Chu Zulu Graphite. 2. Featuring: Tribeca Gypsum White and Jeffrey Alan Marks Summerland Miramar. 3. Featuring: Imperial Bianco Bevel Gloss, Laura Ashely Leaf Cloud Blue and Laura Ashley Sunflower Charcoal with Cloud Blue.
Besides offering beautifully intricate designs, the small pieces that make up each sheet of mosaic tile feature more grout joints per square foot, which adds traction to your floors. This makes mosaics perfect for wetrooms, showers and primary bathroom floors. While more grout joints require more cleaning and regular sealing, the results are stunning.
Mounted on mesh sheets for easy installation, this highly versatile tile is available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, materials and styles. Some mosaics, like penny rounds and small hexagons, allow for custom designs by mixing colors in the same size and shape. When you select marble or travertine mosaics from The Tile Shop’s natural stone collections, you can choose from a variety of matching field tiles and trim to complete your bathroom design.
Pro Tip: Achieve a highly designed look by using your bathroom floor mosaic to create matching accents, such as a sink backsplash or shower niche.
Right to left: 1. Featuring: Penny Round Gloss White and Penny Round Cloudy. Design by Timber Trails Development Company. Photography by John and Maura Stoffer. 2. Featuring: Meram Blanc Carrara Polished Niles with Grey. Design by Timber Trails Development Company. Photography by John and Maura Stoffer. 3. Featuring: Hampton Carrara Cardine, Hampton Niles, Noir Hixton and Hampton Carrara Threshold. Design and Photography by Mas Means More.
Sleek, chic and highly versatile, subway tile consistently ranks as one of our most popular tile styles. While commonly used on walls, subway tile is just as stylish on bathroom floors. The wide range of colors, materials (stone and man-made) and sizes (from petite 2″ x 6″ to long, skinny 4″ x 24″) make this tile compatible with virtually any contemporary or traditional design style. Its versatile rectangular shape can be installed in a variety of layouts, such as brick-lay, straight stack or herringbone. Check out this guide to subway tile layouts for more ideas.
Clockwise: 1. Featuring: Coco White Matte. 2. Featuring: Coco Canvas Matte. 3. Featuring: Victoria Grey Dark.
Handcrafted by artisans using centuries-old techniques, Zellige tile is renowned for its authentic character and perfectly imperfect appearance. Available in petite subway, square and mosaic styles, the Star and Cross shapes are the most popular floor designs. These unique shapes reflect traditional Moroccan design and can be installed in alternating glossy and matte finishes to create subtle interest.
Note: part of Zellige tile’s handmade appeal lies in the slight variations in size, thickness and surface texture from tile to tile.
Pro Tip: For a slightly more uniform (and budget-friendly) floor tile, try the handmade-look Kasbah Cross and Star tiles.
Clockwise: 1. Featuring: Zellige Alabaster Gloss, Zellige Charcoal Chabone Cross Gloss and Zellige Charcoal Chabone Star Matte. 2. Featuring: Pisa Oro Matte, Kasbah Cross Terracotta, Kasbah Star Bone, Coco White Matte and Coco Canvas Matte. 3. Featuring: Kasbah Cross Terracotta and Kasbah Star Terracotta.
Whether cleaning the bathroom is a chore you love or dread, chances are you want it to go as smoothly and effortlessly as possible. Easy to clean, stain resistant and waterproof, tile is perfect for bathroom floors. Whatever style or material you choose, a good broom and a mop will be enough for daily cleaning. However, you’ll occasionally want to do a deeper clean to address build-up in your grout joints. Large-format tile has the fewest grout joints, while mosaics have the most. Natural stone will also require extra maintenance, including regular sealing and special cleaning.
Pro Tip: A dark-colored grout will hide the appearance of dirt.
Featuring: Siberian Pearl. Design by Timber Trails Development Company. Photography by John and Maura Stoffer.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of steel flooring. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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