DIY on a Budget: Easy Stick Bathroom Flooring Ideas
Best option for budget bathroom flooring ideas
Our bathroom was a room that desperately needed an update when we purchased the house. As we've been chipping away at the house over the last year, I finally convinced my significant other to give the bathroom a new look without doing a full bathroom remodel. While I was desperate for real tiles, I knew that this would not be in the budget- as we would need to take out part of the subfloor to complete this. But I was determined to cover up the vinyl sheet flooring that was installed in the 70s. We were looking for low maintenance, tile stickers that allowed us to update the entire bathroom floor. So we set off on the search!
I've come across many stick tiles flooring options, but in my opinion, the intricate designs on some sticky tiles give off a "cheap" feel. I wanted something that would give the illusion of bathroom tiles but didn't require me to bust out the wet saw to cut ceramic tiles AND would allow me to get the project done in a weekend!
The thing that stood out most to me about stick vinyl tiles was the ease of installation, an inexpensive option, water resistance, and something that made a big difference in the space.
I came across a blogger that trialed a few stick tile floors and the blogger installed the stick tiles in her laundry room. She also has a historical house and wants to keep true to the era of the house. It was a perfect choice! The tiles looked like marble and she installed them in a day. I jumped straight in the car and headed to Lowe's. The stick vinyl tile is 1 square foot per tile and only $1.29 per tile. My bathroom only reacquired approximately 75 tiles and cost under $100- is there a more budget-friendly way to update your small spaces?! The tiles can stick to any type of flooring including natural stone, luxury vinyl plank, hardwood floors, stone tiles, luxury vinyl tile, porcelain tiles, cork flooring, etc.
Link to tiles:
If you don’t have a Lowe’s close by, I recommend these tiles that you can purchase from Amazon.
Before I could get started, I had to repair a small section of my flooring that had water damage. You may also have to complete some prep before sticking the tiles down.
What you'll need: The only thing that you'll need to complete this project is a straight edge, utility knife, pen/marker, and measuring tape.
Step 1:
Give the entire floor a really good scrub and allow it to dry thoroughly. Clean the surface thoroughly to remove any dust, grease, or debris. It should be smooth and dry before application. If you have old surface flooring that you don't feel guilty about, you may consider using an additional adhesive glue to aid in long-term floor. The tiles are relatively sticky, but I have noticed a few spots that may have lost their stickiness when I was handling them.
Step 2:
Plan your layout: measure and plan where you want to place each tile, ensuring they fit properly and align correctly. I alternated between grey and white tiles and patterned them in a diamond design to give a nod to my 1920s historical house.
Step 3:
Start from the center: begin applying tiles from the center of the area you're covering and work your way outwards. This helps to ensure a symmetrical layout.
Step 4:
Peel and stick baby! Peel off the backing of the first tile and carefully stick it to the surface, pressing firmly to remove any air bubbles. If you're using adhesive glue- this is the point to use it on the back of the tile.
Step 5:
Continue! Peel off the backing of the next tile and align it with the first one, making sure they fit snugly together. Continue this process until you've covered the entire flooring. During my search, I came across a gal that spaced the tiles and did grout between them. This elevated the project! I just didn't have the motivation lol.
Step 6:
Trim if necessary: use a utility knife or scissors to trim any excess material around the edges or obstacles. It can be tough to cut around the edges of the toilet or sink, but just take your time with it and use spare tiles as templates. I also watched a couple of YouTube videos on the best ways to make the cuts and there were some good tips! I recommend this video to aid in your project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q81Vyk4Ai4Y
Step 7:
Apply pressure: once all tiles are in place, go over them with a roller or a flat object to ensure they adhere properly to the surface.
**Remember to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific peel-and-stick tiles you use for best results.
This was not my first time installing sticky tiles, but this is a great option for a first-time DIY project. After I got the tiles down, I returned with a tinted silicone and cleaned up the edges. The silicone helps with water penetration. If water gets under the tile, it does a number on the adhesive. I learned this the hard way. It's also never a good idea to have stagnant water, as this increases the risk of mold.
Pro-tip: use painter's tape to get a clean finish of silicone caulk and straight edges. I did not do this, but wish that I had. I went back in around the trim with a fresh coat of paint just to give it the cleanest look possible.
