Subway Tile doesn’t have to be Boring
I know you’ve heard it time and time again, subway tile is timeless and classic. And it is! It doesn’t date a kitchen backsplash or a bathroom shower based on trends. Which is exactly why we love to use subway tile for our clients as the not-trendy factor means their design will last longer, making for a better investment. Oh and the fact that it’s frequently one of the least expensive tile options.
The other day we sent off what we refer to as the black line drawings to a client for her new kitchen. At the stage of black lines we don’t put any particular products / finishes in and the classic 3x6 subway tile is the backsplash we typically show. When we were reviewing the layout with our client she said: I know you just put the subway tile here to show me where we’ll put the tile, but I actually really like it and I thought it would be too boring. But it is quite classic looking.
This then proceeded to a discussion on how we love using subway tile and that there are some variations that can add some additional interest while still keeping the timeless and classic look that subway tile brings. And I figured, I should share a few of these options with you all as well!
White Subway Tile Options
Yes, white subway tile is the most classic of the classics, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Sure, you can go with the white 3x6, but you’ve also got options.
The BevelLED SUBWAY TILE
We love using a bevelled subway tile in our more traditional look kitchens. It gives just that extra bit of texture and reflection while heightening the look of the subway. We used it in our Meadowlark Renovation as our client’s look was more traditional and we also wanted to level-up the kitchen’s look since we did use standard IKEA cabinet fronts for the project.
We’ve also used the inverted bevel before too (not in a white though) - more on that later… but it tends to be a more contemporary look that I use in transitional spaces.
The Elongated Subway Tile
While there are lots of different subway tile sizes available, I generally refer to those with an approximate dimension of 3x12 or 4x16 as an elongated subway tile. I often use elgonated subway tiles in shower situations as there is less grout but love them in a kitchen setting too. In our Jasper Place Condo we did both!
The Textured Subway Tile
Another one of my go-to options is the textured white subway tile. Typically we use it with clients who are afraid that a basic flat subway tile will be too boring. It provides more visual interest while still remaining classic and understated. You can see it in use at our Gariepy Kitchen project.
The Thin Subway Tile
The slightly smaller and thinner option falls in the 2x8 size category and is gaining in popularity at the time of this post. We’ve used a handmade look option in our Strathearn bathroom and have it spec’d for several kitchen designs that are on the books right now. The handmade look option tends to have more of an old world feel to it where as the crisp glossy version feels more fancy and elevated.
And let’s just be clear - this list isn’t exhaustive. There are so many other sizes and finishes available out there! Some may even argue that a square counts too!
Subway Tile Patterns
One of the easiest ways to give your standard white subway tile some extra interest is to switch up the pattern from the traditional brick.
Vertical Brick Subway Tile
An easy way to switch it up is to go with a vertical stack alternating pattern like we did in the Forest Heights Basement Suite project. An inexpensive 3x6 tile gets an interesting twist by switching the direction of the brick layout.
Stacked Subway Tile
The stacked option tends towards a more modern and contemporary look in both the horizontal and vertical formats. It’s clean and unassuming while also being impactful and almost stoic.
Herringbone
There is something just so beautiful and timeless about a herringbone pattern, am I right? While a bit more work at install, the end result is always worth it. Here we used it on the kitchen floor (note that standard subway tile cannot be put on the floor unless it is specifically made for this purpose, which generally means a different material and thickness)
But wait, there’s more, however, I won’t go into every single pattern because there are too many. Plus a quick Google Search will give you lots of pattern ideas too!
Subway Tile in Colour, Different Materials and Grout Options
Beyond the white ceramic subway tile, there are several other options available. From almost all the colours you could think of to options made from glass and options made to look like brick. While we definitely lean towards the white ceramic option in most of our work, we still bring out other options too. And don’t forget about your grout! A non-matching grout can add drama in differing levels depending on what you want to achieve.
Whether you love or hate subway tile (but do you really hate subway tile??) it remains one of our most used options for good reason.
And even with something as simple as subway tile, the options are near endless. It’s just another reason to have a design team on your side, helping to narrow down the options that are best for you and your space. We’re here to assist and guide you through your renovation or redesign project. Get in touch for our full service options or take a look at our e-design service, the Petit Design Concept.