Posted on: January 28, 2009
Bath Blitz
In the mood for a new bathroom do? Being stylish and safe just got easier
By Carley Ribet
CTW Features
Image courtesy Kohler Co.
When looking for the perfect bathroom flooring options, it's best to think about what will last for a long time, and what will be safest when it gets wet. This thinking ahead, however, does not mean you have to sacrifice style.
Ceramic and marble tiles are the most popular materials for bathroom floors, and offer many style options, according to Verna Dalton, owner of Kingston, Mass.-based Dalton Interiors. The traditional use of tile flooring can be coupled with a new trend, to keep the bathroom streamlined and stylish.
"There is a trend toward a white, very clean look. It is almost more transitional than traditional styling in the bathroom. There is more of a tendency to use brushed nickel or chrome in combination with white fixtures," Dalton says.
Additionally, this can offer the greatest breadth of options when it comes to having a little fun with your flooring, though Dalton advises against going too crazy on account of its permanence. "It's much easier to change the wallpaper than it is to change the flooring," she says. "Use quality flooring in a nice fashion, and you can accent it using the walls and the windows."
One way to give life to your bathroom flooring is through colors and patterns. "I have fun with patterns in the tiles," says Nancy Taylor, principle of Providence, R.I.-based Taylor Interior Designs. "I have installed small repetitious patterns that are set within big squares of marble. That's where the fun lies for me,"
Most importantly, you must make sure that your flooring is not too slippery when it gets wet. Aside from accent rugs to curb the slippage, using smaller tile is your best option, says Taylor. "I'm very partial to a small tile called penny tile. It has a lot of design impact, and it's very good underfoot. It's very good even when the floor is wet."
"Penny tile is my current favorite but that does not mean that in two years I won't have a new one," Taylor is quick to add.