Our top five bathroom flooring options are easy on the eye – and feet

1. Polished concrete. Available in a range of natural colours and aggregate stone textures, polished concrete can be laid in one 
of three ways: a steel trowel finish with no aggregate showing (the most slip-resistant); a light grind that exposes the finer sand and the odd patch of aggregate, 
so the concrete looks worn in places (the most popular style); and a full grind that shows all the aggregate and looks like terrazzo. Cost: A one-off bathroom floor might cost up to $6000.

2. Stone. Materials such as marble, limestone and travertine are the luxe option. Being a natural product, no two tiles or slabs are exactly alike. Honed or textured stone is more slip-resistant than the polished types, but all varieties should be resealed every five years to make cleaning easier and minimise staining. Cost: Natural stone runs from $80/square metre to over $200/square metre, plus installation. Reconstituted stone costs from $180/square metre plus installation.
 
3. Tiles. The most popular option in bathroom flooring. “They’re waterproof, easy to clean, can accommodate underfloor heating to 30°C, and come in great colours and textures,” notes Vanessa Moran of Beaumont Tiles. When choosing tiles, consider your home and lifestyle to help whittle down the massive selection on offer. Cost: From $40/square metre plus installation.

4. Rubber. Soft, resilient and naturally non-slip, rubber absorbs noise (great in apartments) and can take underfloor heating up to 27°C. French manufacturer Dalsouple offers 80 colours, 26 textures and an eco range made entirely from natural latex, which are laid in a brick pattern to minimise movement. Clean with a damp mop and pH-neutral detergent. Cost: From $120/square metre plus installation.

5. Vinyl. A great budget option in a huge range of patterns, 
the new breed of vinyl is pleasant underfoot, quiet, water-resistant and easy to clean with a vacuum, soft broom or damp mop. Gerflor’s ‘Pureclean’ finish comes in matte for a realistic look, sand for an aged appearance or grain that mimics the texture of timber. Cost: Gerflor ‘Pureclean’ vinyl, from $51/square metre.