Subway Tiles Design Ideas for Kitchens & Bathrooms

Tile design evolves with time, but there are some tile designs that stay longer. Designers extensively use subway tile designs because they are simple, familiar and full of possibilities. In kitchens and bathrooms these tiles are used to cover walls, backsplashes and sometimes floors. In this blog, we will cover the best subway tile designs for the kitchen and bathroom, as well as the different tile patterns that can change the ambience of the space. We will also discuss the colors available and the tips on how to choose the right Subway tile sizes.

What Are Subway Tiles And Why Are They So Popular?

Subway tiles are basically 3x6-inch white tiles that are laid in an offset brick arrangement. They were introduced in the New York Subway stations in the 1900s. After a century, they have become a staple for kitchens and bathrooms. The modern techniques have introduced different materials, patterns, sizes, and colors in Subway tiles. Their versatility in many areas makes them a popular choice. Pair them with contemporary or vintage designs for an excellent match. Subway tile designs don’t seek attention. They give a classic frame to the other elements while being in the background. 

Best Subway Tiles Design Ideas For Kitchens & Bathrooms

Decorating with Subway tile designs never goes out of style. It’s been a popular choice for kitchens and bathrooms for all these years. Originally, Subway tiles were rectangular-shaped, but now they come in different sizes and patterns to match your style. Now, let’s look into the best Subway tile ideas for kitchens and bathrooms:

Best Subway Tile Design Ideas For Bathrooms

In bathrooms, Subway wall tiles are mostly used on walls, shower areas, and accent walls. There are several mix-and-match possibilities, along with practical benefits such as durability and moisture resistance.

• The glossy-finish Subway bathroom tiles work great for compact spaces, as they create an illusion of something larger.
• Halfway tiling for the walls is a good option for modern bathrooms. This approach looks airy and less overwhelming.
• Vertical stacking of Subway tiles is another idea for small bathrooms. This lets the ceilings appear higher, and the area looks less cramped.
• You can play around with colorful Subway tiles and can opt for soft colors to create a backsplash or just one accent wall.

Best Subway Tile Design Ideas For Kitchens

Subway tiles for kitchen backsplashes are an enduring classic. They create easy-to-clean surfaces that resist moisture, splashes, and heat. There are several design possibilities in Subway kitchen tiles. 

• You can create herringbone, chevron and more patterns to give an interesting look to your kitchen.
• These tiles have a large color palette. You can give a pop of color to the kitchen with beautiful colors such as deep blue, green, or terracotta.
• Conventional backsplashes can be extended up to the ceiling with Subway tile designs. This creates a beautiful, uninterrupted look. 
• Black or deep-toned backsplashes can be used in bigger kitchens to balance out light cabinet colors. They look beautiful and catch attention instantly. 

Subway Tile Patterns That Can Change The Look Of A Space

Subway tiles started as classic, rectangular-shaped ceramic tiles. But it evolved with time not only in terms of materials and finishes but also in shape and size. They are now a part of some well-known interiors, changing the aesthetics of the space while creating patterns. Let’s have a look at some pattern inspirations for beautiful layouts in kitchens and bathrooms:

• Classic Brick Bond: The oldest pattern from where Subway tiles started. This pattern is inspired by traditional brick placement. 
• Vertical Stack: If you are looking to add height to your room. Then stack the Subway wall tiles vertically. They will make the room appear larger. Vertical stacking is also a good choice for kitchen backsplashes.
• Horizontal Stack: Horizontal stack is a pattern that is known for its simple elegance. They are perfect for large format areas, like bathroom walls or kitchen backsplashes.
• Herringbone Pattern: The same Subway tiles in different orientations create a herringbone pattern. Without adding much cost, they give a designer look to the space. You can create this zig-zag pattern in kitchen backsplashes or bathroom walls.
• Chevron Pattern: Chevron is another orientation that makes V-shaped patterns. These tiles are also good for adding dramatic patterns to the floors. They look stylish and modern, helping the spaces look large.

Best Subway Tile Colors For Kitchens And Bathrooms

Colors play a key role in Subway tiles. They impact the designer look of the tiles. There are many different color tones, including grey, beige, blue and green Subway tiles. Select the one that matches the scheme of your space. 

• White & Off-White: These are classic options to lighten the kitchens and bathrooms. They are a great option for smaller rooms as well as light-reflecting and enhancing the airy feel.
• Grey Tones: Grey color Subway tiles are beautiful to use in contemporary spaces. It beautifully matches the minimalist accents.
• Beige & Earthy Neutrals: Beige, taupe and greige tones are warm and earthy tones which work great with the wooden or stone elements.
• Blue Shades: Blue Subway tiles refresh the kitchens and bathrooms. These tiles can energise the ordinary spaces with their vibrant energy. 
• Green Hues: Green Subway tiles add a rich feel to the bathrooms. These tiles, when paired with light colored grouts, let the green color shine more and look impressive.
• Black & Dark Colors: Dark colors are bold and provide a strong contrast with light colours. You can use matte black Subway tiles on floors and glossy classic white Subway tiles on walls for a premium look in bathrooms.

How To Choose The Right Subway Tile Size For Your Space

Subway tiles are discussed for creating patterns, but there is little information on their sizes. The sizes range from timeless 3x6-inch to large 4x12-inch Subway tiles. Each size has its visual effect and affects the appearance of the space. The Subway tile size you go with depends on many factors:

• Dimension And Layout: The first thing to consider for your project is your room dimensions and the layout you want to achieve. Larger sizes of Subway tile will make a space appear more open, while smaller tile creates a busier look.
• Room size And Scale: Choose a Subway tile size that complements your room’s scale. It’s best to stick to smaller tiles for small bathrooms and gallery kitchens. By contrast, expansive big bathrooms look stunning with large tiles.
• Functionality: The tile size determines the functionality of a space. The small-sized Subway tiles have more grout lines, giving more traction, but are difficult to clean. On the other hand, large tiles are good with maintenance.

Subway Tiles That Redefine Your Space

Subway tiles are timeless; they have been extensively used in interiors for almost a century. With time, these tiles have evolved from classic white tiles to colorful tiles. This availability offers flexibility and gives a lot of scope to creativity. You can create different patterns, play with contrasting grout colors, and even mix-and-match the colorful subway tile to create designs that look premium. The subway tile designs are a budget-friendly option to create designer bathrooms and kitchens. So, if you have some design ideas in your mind and you want to bring them to life. Then, you can explore the exclusive collection of modern Subway tiles at MyTyles. We provide PAN India delivery. If you need expert guidance, you can visit our Bengaluru experience centre.