Bathroom Design Ideas

Bathroom carpets often get a bad press, with people viewing them as unhygienic, particularly around the toilet and complaining that they retain water and are prone to rotting. 

However, bathroom carpets do have a great advantage over other types of floor surface, they are non slip and they are not cold when you walk on them, so particularly for older people, they really can offer a very practical floor covering.

The price of bathroom carpets has come down over recent years and they can now be bought at very competitive prices. Usually the manufacturer will state if the product can, or should be used in a bathroom and it is always worth buying one that is specifically designed for this use. You may pay less for a standard carpet, but it will need to be replaced more frequently than one that is designed to withstand bathroom usage.

If hygiene is a consideration, then you should think about installing a small toilet pedestal mat. This will ensure that any little splashes go onto it and it can easily be put into a washing machine, thereby allowing your carpet to be protected.

The only downside to carpeting the bathroom is that it will be difficult to vacuum around all the nooks and crannies where it is fitted. Some people find that using a small steam cleaner will help to get rid of any dust from hard to reach areas and keep your carpet in tip top condition for as long as possible.

Tiles come in many different materials, including marble, granite or slate, but the most common types are ceramic, porcelain, quarry, terracotta, natural stone or even vinyl.

Ceramic tiles are either glazed or unglazed. They are made from clay, which has been shaped and then fired in a kiln. Tiles that are glazed have a protective barrier that prevents them from being scratched or stained, while unglazed tiles lack this layer, but are still quite durable.

Porcelain tiles can either be used on walls or floors and are very hard wearing. 

Quarry tiles are usually used on floors and are very traditional. Although unglazed they are very long lasting.

Mosaic tiles are generally used as wall tiles, are very small and usually come in sheet form. They can be very effective in terms of making a design statement, but they can also be quite expensive.

Terracotta tiles are basically just a type of ceramic tile that is unglazed. It is a floor tile that will have to be sealed before use to prevent water permeating through.

At the top end of the market are natural stone tiles, such as marble or slate, which have been quarried from the earth and are usually quite expensive. They can make a fabulous impact in terms of design, so if you can afford them, they are a good option to consider.

Vinyl floor tiles are cheaper than other types and do not have quite the same quality as the others, but for those on a tight budget, they can offer a very cost effective floor surface.