You've bought a new bathroom suite, you've given the walls a fresh lick of paint and you've accessorised with a chrome electrical towel radiator. But have you given much thought to your flooring?

There are numerous options, from popular materials like tiles and vinyl to unexpected ones such as cork, and it's likely that the one you go for will be the one that best fits the decor theme of your bathroom, as well as your budget.

But have you given much thought to safety? The bathroom can be a hazardous place, especially when it gets wet, and for children or older adults it's important to minimise the risk of injury when stepping out of the bath or hopping out of the shower.

And of course maintaining your bathroom will be far easier if you choose the right flooring, as some materials, such as hardwood, are simply not suitable in such a moist environment.

Caroline Wille from Avenue Floors claims the most important factor to consider when choosing a bathroom floor is how resistant it is to water, as well as slips and trips.

"This should really come before contemplating aesthetics," she says, noting that cushion vinyl flooring ticks both boxes since it's practical, durable, easy to maintain and attractive. It is also pretty inexpensive.

"Some of the cushion floors currently offered in the UK tend to be safer as they can be more slip-resistant than other popular flooring options," Ms Wille states.

"Comfortable and warm underfoot, cushion flooring is an affordable and practical option for the bathroom that still offers great style."

But what are the other choices? Tile is popular, but it's very easy to slip if there is water on the floor, so bath mats will be important.

Cork is another potential flooring material, and it's a good option for the eco-conscious. Provided it has been treated with a sealant, it will be suitable for use in bathrooms. What's more, it will be much warmer underfoot than tiles for those cold winter mornings.