Inexpensive Bathroom Flooring Options
Affordable Bathroom Makeovers Without the Fuss
You know the feeling – that sinking disappointment when you gaze upon the dated, dingy tiles lining your bathroom floor. Visions of a spa-worthy sanctuary get quickly dashed, replaced by the nagging reality that a full bathroom reno is simply not in the budget. But hold up, my friend! Before you resign yourself to a lifetime of drab, builder-grade floors, let me let you in on a little secret – there are plenty of inexpensive bathroom flooring options that can instantly upgrade the look and feel of your space, without breaking the bank.
As a self-proclaimed DIY enthusiast and budget-conscious home renovator, I’ve been down this road before. Back when my husband and I were fixing up our first fixer-upper, our 1980’s ranch had the most god-awful, porous ceramic tiles in the main bathroom. I’m talking the kind that acted like a magnet for dirt and grime, no matter how much scrubbing I did. Something about that dated, builder-grade look just sucked the life right out of the room.
But thanks to some savvy shopping and a little elbow grease, we were able to transform those eyesores into a stylish, wet-area-ready floor for a fraction of the cost of a full gut renovation. And let me tell you, the difference it made in the overall vibe of the space was nothing short of game-changing. So if you’re ready to bid farewell to your boring, blah bathroom floors once and for all, grab a pen and get ready to take some notes. I’m about to share some of my favorite budget-friendly flooring ideas that will have your space looking fresh, modern, and ,most importantly, Pinterest-worthy in no time.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and Planks
Perhaps one of the most popular inexpensive flooring options for bathrooms these days is luxury vinyl tile, or LVT for short. And let me tell you, this stuff is no longer your grandma’s basic sheet vinyl. Thanks to advancements in manufacturing, today’s LVT is thicker, more rigid, and looks shockingly similar to real hardwood, stone, or even cement. The best part? It’s super easy to install, especially for DIYers.
When my husband and I were redoing our 1980’s bathroom, we opted for an LVT with a waterproof, antimicrobial core that could be installed directly over the existing ceramic tiles. No messy demo required! And let me tell you, those floors looked amazing. The realistic wood-look planks gave the space an entirely new, elevated vibe – you’d never know they weren’t the real deal. And the best part? We did the whole installation ourselves in just a weekend, saving a ton on labor costs. [1]
Waterproof Engineered Hardwood
Now, I know what you’re thinking – hardwood floors in a bathroom? Isn’t that just asking for trouble? Well, fear not, my friend. These days, there are plenty of waterproof engineered wood options that are specifically designed for high-moisture areas like bathrooms.
When we tackled our 1980’s ranch reno, my husband installed some gorgeous oak engineered wood planks right over the old tile floors. And let me tell you, the transformation was stunning. The rich, earthy tones of the wood instantly warmed up the space, giving it a cozy, high-end vibe. And the best part? The waterproof core meant we never had to worry about dreaded water damage, even with all the splashing from our little boys’ bathtime antics. [2]
Affordable Tile Options
Okay, I know I just got done ranting about how much I hate dated, builder-grade tile. But hear me out – when it comes to bathroom floors, tile can actually be an incredibly budget-friendly option, especially if you’re willing to get a little DIY-happy.
Take, for example, the faux wood tile my friend Heathered Nest used in her rustic cabin renovation. At just $2 per square foot, this affordable porcelain option not only looked convincingly like the real thing, but it was also completely impervious to water. And with a little elbow grease and some YouTube tutorials, she was able to install it herself, saving a ton on labor costs. [3]
Another genius tile hack? Using a stencil and some patio floor paint to transform dated ceramic tiles into a stunning Moroccan-inspired pattern. My friend over at Pine + Poplar did this in her bathroom, and the results were nothing short of jaw-dropping. All for under $100! [4]
The Power of Paint
Speaking of budget-friendly DIY solutions, let’s talk about the transformative power of paint. If you’re looking to give your tired bathroom floors a quick facelift without breaking the bank, a good quality porch and floor paint could be the answer to your prayers.
My friend from The Handyman’s Daughter is the perfect example. Her bathroom started out with a busy, dated tile pattern that was really bringing the whole space down. But with a strategic stencil and a few cans of paint, she was able to create the illusion of larger, more modern tiles that completely elevated the look and feel of the room. And the best part? The whole project came in at under $100. [5]
Groutable Vinyl Tiles
Now, I know what you’re thinking – vinyl tiles in the bathroom? Isn’t that just a recipe for disaster? Well, my friend, allow me to introduce you to the magic of groutable vinyl tiles.
These bad boys are essentially luxury vinyl tiles, but with the added benefit of a grout-like seam that gives them the look and feel of real tile – minus the hassle and expense of a traditional tile install. My friend Craving Some Creativity used this genius hack in her bathroom, and the results were nothing short of stunning. Not only did the hexagonal pattern look super high-end, but the fact that she could install them herself without a tile saw saved her a ton of time and money. [6]
DIY Hardwood Floors
Alright, I know I’ve thrown a lot of alternative flooring options your way, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the good old-fashioned power of good ol’ fashioned hardwood. Now, I know what you’re thinking – hardwood in the bathroom? Isn’t that just asking for trouble?
Well, my friend over at The Roots of Home proved that with a little elbow grease and some good old-fashioned ingenuity, you can absolutely rock those wide plank pine floors, even in a high-moisture area like the bathroom. And the best part? She was able to do the whole project for just $1 per square foot. Talk about a steal! [7]
So there you have it, my friends – a veritable treasure trove of budget-friendly bathroom flooring ideas that will have your space looking like a million bucks, without the hefty price tag. Whether you opt for the ease and versatility of luxury vinyl, the rustic charm of engineered wood, or the classic appeal of DIY tile and paint, the options are truly endless when it comes to transforming your tired old floors on a dime.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your measuring tape, cue up those DIY YouTube tutorials, and get ready to say goodbye to those dated, dingy tiles once and for all. Your dream bathroom awaits!
References
[1] Designing Vibes. “10 Cheap and Easy DIY Bathroom Flooring Ideas.” July 11, 2023. https://designingvibes.com/10-cheap-and-easy-diy-bathroom-flooring-ideas/
[2] Designing Vibes. “How To Install Floating Hardwood Directly Over Existing Flooring.” July 11, 2023. https://designingvibes.com/how-to-install-floating-hardwood-directly-over-existing-flooring/
[3] Heathered Nest. “DIY Faux Wood Tile Bathroom Floor.” April 24, 2023. https://www.heatherednest.com/diy-faux-wood-tile-bathroom-floor/
[4] Pine + Poplar. “DIY Painted Bathroom Floor Makeover.” May 18, 2023. https://pineandpoplar.com/diy-painted-bathroom-floor-makeover/
[5] The Handyman’s Daughter. “DIY Stenciled Bathroom Floor Makeover.” August 15, 2022. https://www.thehandymansdaughter.com/diy-stenciled-bathroom-floor-makeover/
[6] Craving Some Creativity. “DIY Groutable Vinyl Tile Bathroom Floor.” September 2, 2022. https://www.cravingsomecreativity.com/diy-groutable-vinyl-tile-bathroom-floor/
[7] The Roots of Home. “DIY Wide Plank Pine Floors in a Rustic Cabin.” June 1, 2023. https://www.therootsofhome.com/diy-wide-plank-pine-floors-rustic-cabin/