It's time to say goodbye to your dated, uninspiring bathroom. If you're planning a full renovation, focus on completely replacing the flooring and wall coverings for a fresh, modern look.
Modernizing a bathroom floor often involves professional installation due to the complexity and moisture exposure. Consult a skilled craftsman or contractor—they can guide you toward waterproof, durable options that withstand humidity, dampness, and water splashes.
Tiles are the gold standard for bathrooms, prized for their unmatched durability and easy maintenance. Opt for models certified to the French UPEC standard, which rates floorings for wear and suitability, especially those with high anti-slip ratings. Ceramic stoneware tiles excel as trompe-l'oeil masters, mimicking concrete or marble textures beautifully.
For a warmer touch, consider parquet flooring. Wood has gained popularity in wet areas for its elegance and barefoot comfort. Choose rot-resistant exotic woods like iroko or teak, or pre-treated European options such as spruce or Douglas fir. The downside? High costs, particularly for exotics.
Affordable alternatives include flexible coverings like linoleum and vinyl, long-time favorites for wet rooms. Craving originality? Seagrass-style vegetal fiber adds authentic texture, but ensure excellent ventilation to prevent moisture damage.
Bathroom walls, especially around showers, tubs, and sinks, demand the same water-resistant qualities as floors. Unlike floors, walls see less frequent deep cleaning, so poor choices lead to quick deterioration in poorly ventilated spaces. Tiles remain the top recommendation across the board.
Adhesive splashbacks offer a practical alternative for high-risk zones. These panel-style coatings apply and remove effortlessly, allowing easy updates and coordination with your floor.
For personalization, mosaics let you craft a unique design—follow DIY tutorials for earthenware or similar variants. Terracotta mosaics, even enameled, are more fragile by comparison.
Opt for a different vibe with specialized bathroom paints (glycero or acrylic formulas) or waterproof coatings. Always factor in room size—stunning marble, for instance, overwhelms small spaces.
