When it comes to bathroom decor, all sorts of things may be considered, from the color of the furnishings to the location of fixtures and fittings, but the issue of what to have as the floor is something that nobody should neglect.

There are many types of material that are not well suited to a bathroom, such as carpets or wood. This is chiefly because they are vulnerable to damage, expansion or discoloration through spillages of water and other substances. For this reason, vinyl bathroom flooring and cork bathroom flooring are among the very best choices.

Bathroom vinyl flooring has the great quality of being entirely waterproof, so no matter what gets splashed or dripped on it, the floor will be impervious to it all. While some kinds of vinyl can be slippery, anti-slip vinyl flooring is now widely available and this means that even when it is wet, staying on your feet will not be hard.

Cork is not waterproof, but is water-resistant and can certainly deal with temporary splashing and general humidity. The key is not to allow standing water to stay on it for lengthy periods. At the same time, a lacquer can help give the cork extra protection and this also helps maintain the durability of cork, a quality it shares with vinyl.

Cork is good for when you step out of the bath, as it is a soft material that is easy on the feet, an important attribute when they are wrinkly and sensitive after a bath. Cushion vinyl flooring offers another foot-friendly option, although cork’s warmth may give it the edge on a cold winter’s day.

Vinyl is likely to be the cheaper of the two materials, but it may also be worth considering the green credentials of cork as it comes from a sustainable source.

Of course, for many the final choice will come down to personal taste. A floor that matches the decor of the bathroom may win favor with many householders and cork can offer more options than simply the familiar golden brown natural hue, as tinted shades area available. Even so, vinyl does come in a wider range of styles, designs and effects to select from.