Best Bathroom Flooring Options on a Budget

June 17, 2025

When it comes to choosing the best flooring for your bathroom remodel, you need to consider more than just style. You need flooring that can handle daily moisture, humidity, spills, and high traffic — and just as importantly, without breaking the bank. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of the most affordable, practical, and stylish flooring options for your bathroom that perform well every day and still look great.

Why Flooring Choice Matters for Your Bathroom

Bathrooms are some of the most used and moisture-prone areas in your home. This means your bathroom floors need to be water-resistant or waterproof, durable, easy to clean, and stylish.

At Discount House Wilmington, we specialize in affordable flooring options that fit the needs of any homeowner working on a budget. You can check our in-stock flooring options here . Here are the three best flooring types we recommend for a stylish, functional, and cost-effective bathroom.

1. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Luxury vinyl plank flooring, or LVP, is best for homeowners who want waterproof performance, a variety of looks (mostly wood or tile), and a comfortable underfoot feel — all for a great price.

LVP is 100% waterproof, meaning it resists water, humidity, and spills, making it ideal for high-moisture areas like the bathroom. It is also durable, handling daily wear and tear like scratches and dents with ease. Not only is it tough, but it’s also comfortable — walking on it barefoot feels much softer and warmer compared to tile, for example. Installation is also easy and DIY-friendly. Most LVP products feature a click-lock system, which helps save on installation costs.

When choosing LVP, it's important to know that prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause expansion — though this usually isn't an issue in bathrooms that use window treatments. Lower-quality LVP may also wear faster, so be sure to choose a good wear layer. While the top layer is waterproof, water can still cause damage if it seeps underneath, so be cautious around tubs and toilets during installation and maintenance.

2. Ceramic & Porcelain Tile

Tile flooring is a common choice in bathrooms and is great for homeowners who want a long-lasting, waterproof floor that can handle heavy use.

These materials are naturally waterproof, making them perfect for bathrooms. Tiles can handle constant exposure to water. They’re also highly durable and won’t scratch, stain, or warp — ideal for households with pets or kids. Ceramic and porcelain are easy to clean and maintain; most dirt or grime can be removed with water or a mild cleaner. Plus, tile comes in endless textures, sizes, and colors, so you’re sure to find the right look for your bathroom.

Some things to consider when choosing tile: it’s cold and hard under bare feet, and it can also be slippery when wet. Consider a matte or textured finish for better traction, and if you want added comfort, heated floors can be a great upgrade.

3. Waterproof Laminate

For budget-conscious homeowners who love the look of wood but want better water resistance than standard laminate, consider a waterproof laminate option. Newer waterproof laminate can handle splashes and humidity for 24–72 hours. It offers a great aesthetic, mimicking hardwoods and other materials at a fraction of the cost. It’s also scratch-resistant, so it holds up well to daily traffic, and it’s typically more affordable than most LVP or tile options.

Even though the flooring is labeled “waterproof,” it’s not fully flood-proof. Standing water can still cause damage. For more information on the best flooring for flood-prone areas, check out our blog . Waterproof laminate also requires careful installation — edges must be sealed, and a moisture barrier should be used underneath.

Which Affordable Flooring is Best for Your Bathroom?

Each of these bathroom flooring options offers a balance of affordability and durability:

Choose LVP if you want full waterproofing, comfort, and DIY-friendliness.
Choose tile if you want the most durable, water-resistant floor.
Choose waterproof laminate if you want a budget wood-look floor and are careful with moisture.