IMO tiling the walls is an unnecessary additional expense for a basement bathroom.

It's old fashioned but I like tile up to chair rail or short backsplash height around the toilet.

I like 12 x24 porcelain tile for both bathroom floors and shower walls and a backsplash for the vanity and that is is for tile IMO

I always prefer the look of tiled walls, but it adds quite a bit to the cost, so that should probably be the deciding factor. How often does the bathroom get used? What do the people who use it prefer?

For a little more info, it’s a few steps away from the rec room, which has a sectional couch, TV, a pool table and bar… and a separate office space. We would use it especially if were entertaining and if we’re watching tv in the rec room. It’s my husband’s office, so he’d use it a lot. On the other side is an unfinished area that has all our exercise equipment.

If cost wasn’t a constraint, what would you do?

Cost no constraint? I would tile. If your husband has friends over to drink and play pool, honestly some of them are going to pee everywhere. Tile will be easier to clean. I know people make fun of those contour toilet rugs but we have a couple guys who come over or do work in the house and if they are here we put a contour rug out and it goes right in the wash when they leave.