Toilet Renovation Vol.8: Cushion Floor Installation

u270fufe0f Originally published: January 9, 2017 / ud83dudd04 Rewritten: May 8, 2026

u270fufe0f 2026 Update from DIY Dad: Key Points for the Finishing Stage

We’re now at the finishing phase of the toilet renovation. Once all the accessories are removed, it’s time for the floor and wall finish work. Because a toilet is such a small, compact space, the quality of the finish is immediately obvious. ^ ^

Removing Toilet Accessories (Paper Holder, Towel Ring, etc.)

Before applying wallpaper or diatomite plaster, remove everything attached to the walls.

What to Remove

• Toilet paper holder
• Towel ring / storage shelf
• Outlet cover plate
• Light fixture (if needed)
• Ventilation fan cover

If you try to work around these items, your finish will look sloppy. It’s a rule: no matter how tedious it is, remove everything first. m(_ _)m

Floor Repair and Cushion Floor Replacement

After removing the toilet bowl, you’ll be left with anchor bolt holes in the floor. If the new toilet’s drain flange aligns with the existing holes, you can go straight to laying the new cushion floor (CF) and installing the new toilet.

The hardest part of cutting CF is cutting out the hole for the drain flange. Make a paper template and cut carefully.

DIY Dad’s tip: Make the template for the drain area slightly smaller than the actual opening, then gradually expand it on-site for a better fit without over-cutting. ^ ^

Why I Chose Diatomite for the Toilet Walls

For this toilet renovation I applied diatomite plaster to the walls instead of wallpaper. My reasons:

• It absorbs moisture and odors (diatomite’s natural humidity-control and deodorizing properties)
• I’d already used it in the Japanese-style room with great results, so I continued with it
• It creates a more distinctive, premium look than wallpaper

Diatomite does take some practice to apply well, but in a small space like a toilet it’s also a great opportunity to build your technique. DIY Dad’s trowel skills improved considerably working in this tight space. (Lol) u0669( u141b )u0648

Diatomite Application Tips (Toilet Edition)

1. Thoroughly mask around the toilet bowl and tank with masking tape
2. Protect the water supply pipe and shutoff valve with plastic wrap
3. Mask around the ventilation opening and outlet
4. Peel off masking tape immediately after applying u2014 before it dries

If you wait until the diatomite dries before peeling the tape, it will tear the surface with it. The rule is: peel the moment you finish applying. m(_ _)m

As a Landlord: Cleanliness u00d7 Functionality Changes Your Occupancy Rate

A toilet with diatomite walls, brand-new cushion flooring, and a fresh washlet-equipped bowl u2014 the reaction from prospective tenants was noticeably different. I heard “Wow, this bathroom is so clean!” again and again. ^ ^

Total material cost for the DIY toilet renovation: around u00a580,000. A contractor would charge u00a5300,000u2013500,000 for the same work. Huge savings through DIY.

ud83dudebd For Anyone Considering a Toilet Renovation

Even just replacing the toilet bowl can dramatically change the feel of the space. Going from a tank-type to a tankless toilet in this property gave the room a completely different sense of spaciousness. ^ ^

Water leaks and clogs get worse if ignored u2014 call a professional right away when trouble strikes.

24-Hour Emergency Plumbing Service u2014 Toilet & Water Trouble u00bb

Hi there, it’s DIY Dad. ^ ^
A long weekend, but the sun just won’t come out. (u00b4uff65_uff65`) I’d love to get outside and really move around on a clear, sunny day. Instead, without going outside my appetite is getting way ahead of me. (uffe3+u30fcuffe3) The holiday weight is stacking up. (u30ce_uff1c) How on earth am I going to get rid of it? u03c3(^_^;) DIY Dad’s belly is still growing.

Continuing on with the 1st-floor toilet renovation. Getting close to defeating the bad smell! ^ ^

Next up: laying the cushion floor. Tools and materials: cushion floor sheet, cushion floor adhesive, notched trowel (kushi), utility knife.

I wanted to add my own personal touch to the cushion floor. ^ ^ The vision: a European-style pub toilet!! (Second time I’ve said that.) (uff3euff2fuff3eu2606u266a

So I went with a slightly more expensive stone-pattern cushion floor: quartz stone look, model CM-4658, 900 mm wide.

It’s a thick, heavy-duty type u2014 even suitable for use with shoes. Before gluing it down, I cut the cushion floor to shape with a utility knife. The toilet floor has a surprisingly complex shape for such a small area. The entryway cutout alone was tricky. There’s also a drain opening in the center.

DIY Dad had a bit of a battle with the complex shapes. Once the cutting was done, I spread adhesive with a notched trowel over half the floor, waited for it to set slightly, then pressed the CF into place. Repeated the same process for the other half.

u2191 Cushion floor u2014 drain side.

u2191 Opposite side. Oh yeah! (u2267u2200u2266) Looks great! u266a(*u00b4u2200`)u266a With this, almost all of the odor is gone. d(^_^o) First hurdle cleared! (^^)v That’s all for today! (^^)/~~~

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