The bathroom is one place in the home where you should attempt to stay on trend. Homeowners, buyers and sellers care about the look and functionality of this space, and you should too. The floors are especially important because they’re one of the first things you see when you walk in the room and get a lot of foot traffic.

A bathroom floor will be admired for its shine and color, but you should also consider how well it’ll hold up in this particular environment and how much work it’ll be to maintain. I’ve got six big and shiny ideas for your next bathroom floor makeover.

1. Luxury Vinyl

Luxury vinyl is a new category of flooring that’s going to be big in 2016. This flooring choice combines the high-end look of hardwood (or stone) with the durability of vinyl. One of the most popular options among homeowners is vinyl that mimics the look of wood.

This material is a natural fit in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms because it stands up to moisture, and it looks pretty. A low maintenance floor that’s warm to the touch and soft underfoot? If you ask me, it sounds like an excellent choice for any bathroom!

2. Laminate

Laminate is always a sensible choice for the bathroom floor. This material can handle high volumes of traffic and will keep its composure for an extended amount of time. One benefit of laminate flooring is that you’re able to combine the look of hardwood with a surface that’s resistant to both stains and moisture.

Installing a new laminate floor is an easy and affordable way to upgrade your bathroom without having to completely gut the entire space. Given the array of realistic-looking wood and stone patterns available in stores, it makes it very difficult for anyone to tell that it’s not the real thing. Although laminate is tough, you should be careful to keep the floors as dry as possible because there’s a possibility of standing water to seep through the seams.

3. Bamboo & Cork

If you’re looking for environmentally friendly bathroom floors, then this is the right choice for you. Bamboo and cork are unique materials made from tree-like tropical grasses that replenish themselves in the wild every couple of years.

Bamboo is specifically known for its durability and warmth. This material is not only affordable, but plays nicely with both traditional and modern spaces. Engineered bamboo planks are by far the most durable bamboo floors and the best at withstanding wet environments. The one downside of engineered bamboo is that once it wears, it can’t be refinished; it needs to be replaced. On the other hand, solid bamboo floors can be refinished, but they’re more susceptible to water damage. Decisions, decisions.

Cork flooring is great for walking on with bare feet because of its warmth and cushion. It’s a durable material that retains heat better than tile or wood. It’s easier to install than wood flooring, but it doesn’t have as long of a shelf life. Cork is a good option for rooms that get a lot of foot traffic, like the bathroom.

4. Large-Format Tile

Typically tile floors are installed using 12” x 12” tiles, but more and more designers are remodeling with tiles that come 12″ x 24″ and even 36″ x 36.” Consumers and industry professionals alike agree that they look great and are easier to clean because there are less grout lines to scrub.

Experts don’t recommend installing large tile floors yourself. They’re heavy and require a perfectly level substrate, so if you want it done right, you should hire a professional for the job. Below are three popular types of tile you should consider in your search.

Ceramic Tile: Comes in various sizes, shapes and styles. A good option for mimicking natural stone. Textured designs help prevent slippage.

Porcelain Tile: This option is more durable and less porous because it’s fired at higher temperatures than ceramic. It’s very easy to clean and maintain.

Stone Tile: Natural stone lends a high-end look to a bathroom. This tile is usually made from travertine, limestone, marble, granite or slate. It’s a timeless, unique and durable flooring option.

5. Heated Floors

As the days get shorter and temperatures cool, what more could you want than to step on heated floors when you go to shower on those chilly winter mornings. Heated floors are quickly gaining popularity with homeowners who feel they can’t live without this luxury upgrade.

These systems can be installed under tile, hardwood and many other popular flooring surfaces. Heated floors are a great selling point for those thinking about listing their home on the market. Many homeowners would agree that the additional comfort and resale value outweigh the initial investment.

6. Elaborate Designs

Basic square tiles are slowly being replaced with unusual shapes and beautiful mosaics. Mixing and matching colors and patterns is highly encouraged. In other words, the flashier, the better. Designers are starting to use staggered floor patterns with multiple tile sizes. Think outside the box and play with different shapes such as octagonal, hexagonal or small mosaic tile schemes.

Don’t be afraid to mix different shades of colors or incorporate multiple colors in order to liven up your bathroom floors. We’re also seeing designers go as far as mixing materials, such as combining marble, limestone and onyx into one floor design. Use a combination of ideas to make your bathroom floors come alive!

Conclusion

Hopefully you feel a bit more prepared to tackle your next bathroom remodel or flooring project after reviewing these up and coming trends. Remember that what you think looks nice and works for your family and style of home could be very different from what someone else prefers. It’s good to be informed of all the trends so you can find something that not only looks good, but makes you happy.