GC, Reigate
Cork tiles can look rather dated. Bathroom floor finishes have come a long way since the 1980s, and there is a wealth of tiles, laminate floorboards and linoleum to suit your look.
Fired Earth (0845 366 0400, www.firedearth.com) has ochre-coloured Antalya travertine tiles from £58.80 per sq m. They come in four sizes, 20cm x 20cm, 20cm x 40cm, 40cm x 40cm and 40cm x 61cm, and can be used on the walls and floor, and with underfloor heating.
For practicality, value for money and sheer range of designs, cushioned vinyl is an affordable option, at £18 per sq m. It is naturally warm underfoot, so is ideal when getting out of the bath, and it can be used with underfloor heating. Cushioned vinyl is also easy to maintain, requiring just a quick sweep clean with a soft broom and then a wipe-over with a clean, damp mop or cloth. The Rhinofloor collection from Armstrong (01642 768 899, www.rhinofloor.com) offers a huge choice of wood-effect designs from light oak, beech and pine through to richer colours, such as walnut. Alternatively, try a dark slate-effect design in quarry charcoal.
For porcelain tiles that are scratchproof as well as waterproof without treating or sealing, try Checkalow (020 8441 7070, www.checkalow.com). The Opus range comes in four colours and costs £33.80 per sq m; Meteor brown tiles are available in different shapes and sizes, ranging from small, oblong mosaics to large square tiles, and are priced from £39 per sq m.
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For waterproofing and preventing slippage, try laying Fired Earth’s Fleximat beneath the tiles. To create a smooth surface if the floor is not flat, fix ply board to the floor before tiling.
Andrea Maflin is an interior designer based in London