Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring: Which One Should You Choose?

Picture this: Morning. You’re in a rush.

And somewhere between brushing your teeth and taking a shower, you slip on the shiny tile floor of your bathroom as you try to make up for lost time and get to work.

What a “fun” way to start the day!

Bathroom floors are notoriously slippery surfaces, and choosing to overhaul or update your existing one with a non-slip treatment is a wise decision. But which should you choose?

Let’s learn everything there’s to know about non-slip bathroom flooring.

Why Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring?

Non-slip bathroom flooring is an excellent option to keep you safe in a potentially dangerous space that is your bathroom. With slippery combinations of water, soap, and glossy surfaces, having non-slip bathroom flooring is a no-brainer.

There is a range of bathroom floors from tiles, cork, linoleum to vinyl and slate to choose from on the market.

And while these surfaces each offer their unique aesthetic appeal, some of them can provide unique anti-slipping qualities worth consideration. After all, even one misstep can lead to an unplanned eye-level inspection of your flooring.

Let’s go through every non-slip flooring option you have.

Textured Ceramic/Porcelain Tile Flooring

While ceramic tiles have traditionally been the option of choice for upscale bathrooms because they are easy to clean and water-resistant, they are not always the best non-slip option.

Luckily, some manufacturers offer non-slip textured treatment.

Pros

• Wide range of colors, patterns, and designs available
• Easy to clean and maintain
• A neat finish adds value to any home

Cons

• Hard flooring type with an unforgiving landing when you fall
• Uneven grout lines can create a tripping hazard

Given the cost of ceramic tiles, which are available in a wide range of prices, this is the option most homeowners consider. Yet, slipping on ceramic floors contribute to a large number of emergency room visits annually.

Non-Slip Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl flooring is a popular flooring finish in bathrooms due to its affordable price and benefits of non-slip characteristics.

Pros

• Available in a range of prints, it can imitate other flooring types
• Can be manufactured with a non-slip layer or topcoat
• Single sheet installation limits tripping hazards
• Built-in padding contributes to a softer landing

Cons

• Water seepage can ruin the vinyl flooring installation, causing tripping hazards with curling corners or uneven bubbles
• May require specialist installation and equipment for a professional finish

Vinyl bathroom flooring is an option that makes sense, and with an extra underlay, you may find you avoid a few bruises too.

Bamboo Or Cork Flooring

While not the cheapest option, bamboo or cork flooring is undoubtedly an eco-friendly choice that will significantly reduce slipping potential.

Pros

• A naturally non-slip surface that absorbs water
• No seams that can potentially trip you
• Soft texture to cushion falls

Cons

• It can be expensive and costly to install
• Water absorption can lead to mold or mildew build-up

Offering a great look, this is a stunning, though pricey option.

Sandblasted Natural Stone

Stone flooring is a hugely popular choice, but it is going to frustrate your bank manager. Alternatively, there are ceramic tiles that very closely mimic the look and feel of the stone floor, which are also much more affordable.

Pros

• Natural non-slip flooring ideal for high traffic and wet conditions
• A beautiful finish will add value to your home
• A sandblasted finish will ensure a long-term non-slip surface

Cons

• The price
• Transportation and installation costs are a huge factor
• Treated stone can become slippery when wet
• Uneven surface due to natural imperfections or stone cuts can be a tripping hazard

If you have the money and wish to increase your home’s value, you might want to invest in natural stone non-slip bathroom flooring.

Rubber Flooring

Ok, so it’s ugly, dated, and, well … ugly! But rubber flooring is the pinnacle of non-slip flooring for bathrooms, making it an ideal choice in homes with seniors or kids.

Pros

• Best non-slip flooring for bathrooms and kitchens
• It doesn’t become slippery when wet
• Soft and supported landing when you do fall, limiting serious injuries
• Reasonably priced

Cons

• It’s ugly!
• Can become damaged by dropping stuff on the surface, such as glass or metal objects
• Repairs can be costly and can compromise the non-slip surface qualities
• When incorrectly installed, it can “run” like a carpet, causing tripping hazards

Not my first choice, but certainly one of the best in terms of non-slipness and ideal for people with aging parents living with them.

Linoleum

Another worthy eco-friendly and biodegradable option is linoleum flooring.

Pros

• Excellent non-slip properties, even when wet
• Soft feel surface and low on noise
• Reasonably soft surface to support the body if you do fall

Cons

• Can show surface damage from impact by pitting or being blemished
• If in tile form, the edges can present tripping hazards

Available in a range of finishes, linoleum is a great option for bathrooms as it is fully waterproof and soft underfoot, making for sure footing.

Considerations When Choosing Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring

Deciding on which non-slip bathroom flooring is the best for your home is not easy. With these considerations, you will have a much easier time deciding which to purchase for your home.

Safety of a True Non-Slip

Non-slip flooring means precisely what it says. You shouldn’t slip, slide, or even stumble when you walk on this kind of flooring with or without shoes, in water, or on a dry floor. The best performing non-slip bathroom flooring is rubber (which is mainly used in factories), with vinyl flooring coming in a close second due to the soft landing and excellent non-slip topcoat that you can apply.

Winners here: rubber, vinyl, stone.

Safety With Non-Tripping 

When considering non-slip, you should also consider non-tripping, as we often start a slip with a trip. Yip, your foot catches on a raised edge, and before you know it, you are figure skating across the bathroom floor before doing a graceful swan-dive into the bathtub.

Large flooring sheets certainly eliminate this kind of hazard, so cork, vinyl, and rubber flooring are clear winners here. When linoleum is in large sheet format, it can join this happy slip-free family.

Winners here: cork, vinyl, rubber, linoleum.

Installation and Cost

One of the cheapest options for installation is vinyl floor sheeting. It’s lightweight and easy to transport. Vinyl floor tiles are also available, but in a wet environment of a bathroom, these are ill-advised. There are different price ranges available to suit any budget, making this a firm favorite in this category.

Winners here: best bang for a buck is vinyl flooring.

Appearance

For a classy and neat finish, bamboo, natural stone, and ceramic floor tiles are the clear market leaders. Yet, for affordability and long-term use, ceramic tile is the winner. When choosing this option, be sure to select a non-slip floor tile and avoid those high gloss finishes that will definitely leave you floored when wet.

Winners here: bamboo, natural stone, ceramic.

The Best Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring: Overview

For low budgets: vinyl. 

For big budgets: stone.

When shopping for suitable non-slip bathroom flooring that will keep you and your family safe, you also need to keep your budget, decor, and family members in mind. While your girlfriend may look stunning in her eight-inch stilettos, your cork and bamboo bathroom floor won’t last long.

So, with a careful evaluation of the surface properties of each flooring type, you can consider safety and your lifestyle to make the best choice.

My favorite go-to non-slip flooring is vinyl since it’s affordable, it offers excellent protection and a soft landing, and it is available in a vast range of styles, patterns, colors, and finishes.

Non-Slip Bathroom Flooring FAQ