86 Timeless Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplashes

Timeless Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplashes cover

As you probably already know, subway tiles get their names from the ceramic tiles used on the walls of the New York City subway stations in the early twentieth century. Subway tiles are used now when you want to add a traditional, even mid-century feel to the space, and such tiles are timeless. More and more homeowners choose subway tiles for decorating their kitchens and bathrooms.

a black Scandinavian kitchen, a white subway tile backsplash with black grout, an open shelf and potted herbs

a black Scandinavian kitchen, a white subway tile backsplash with black grout, an open shelf and potted herbs

a bold black and white kitchen with glossy green subway tiles for a touch of color is very cool

a bold black and white kitchen with glossy green subway tiles for a touch of color is very cool

a bold black kitchen with a white subway tile backsplash accented with black grout and touches of gold and brass

a bold black kitchen with a white subway tile backsplash accented with black grout and touches of gold and brass

a bright yellow subway tile backsplash is a cool and sunny touch to your neutral kitchen is a very lovely idea

a bright yellow subway tile backsplash is a cool and sunny touch to your neutral kitchen is a very lovely idea

a cheerful turquoise and white kitchen with white subway tiles, colorful accessories and rugs for a fun feel

a cheerful turquoise and white kitchen with white subway tiles, colorful accessories and rugs for a fun feel

a chic contemporary kitchen with black lower cabinets and concrete countertops,a  white subway tile backsplash and some decor

a chic contemporary kitchen with black lower cabinets and concrete countertops,a white subway tile backsplash and some decor

a chic slate grey farmhouse kitchen with a grey subway tile backsplash and a mosaic tile floor is elegant

a chic slate grey farmhouse kitchen with a grey subway tile backsplash and a mosaic tile floor is elegant

a classic white Scandinavian kitchen with black countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and black handles

a classic white Scandinavian kitchen with black countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and black handles

a contrasting kitchen with dark walls, a white subway tile backsplash, grey cabinets and open shelves plus lights

a contrasting kitchen with dark walls, a white subway tile backsplash, grey cabinets and open shelves plus lights

a cozy coastal kitchen in white, with bold blue subway tiles that add color and hint on the location

a cozy coastal kitchen in white, with bold blue subway tiles that add color and hint on the location

a cozy farmhouse kitchen done with white subway tiles with black grout and nautral wooden shelves

a cozy farmhouse kitchen done with white subway tiles with black grout and nautral wooden shelves

a matte navy kitchen with navy subway tiles and gold touches for a bold and dramatic kitchen in dark shades

a matte navy kitchen with navy subway tiles and gold touches for a bold and dramatic kitchen in dark shades

a modern country kitchen in white, with cool cabinets, a large kitchen island with a butcherblock countertop, pendant lamps and woven stools

a modern country kitchen in white, with cool cabinets, a large kitchen island with a butcherblock countertop, pendant lamps and woven stools

a modern country kitchen with shaker style cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, a wooden hood and floating shelves

a modern country kitchen with shaker style cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, a wooden hood and floating shelves

a modern country kitchen with white and light grey cabinets, butcherblock countertops, a shiny subway tile backsplash and a pendant lamp

a modern country kitchen with white and light grey cabinets, butcherblock countertops, a shiny subway tile backsplash and a pendant lamp

a modern country kitchen with white walls and white cabinetry, wooden beams on the ceiling, a hearth and a basket plus wooden shelves

a modern country kitchen with white walls and white cabinetry, wooden beams on the ceiling, a hearth and a basket plus wooden shelves

a modern white kitchen with a green subway tile backsplash, a grey stone countertop and silver fixtures

a modern white kitchen with a green subway tile backsplash, a grey stone countertop and silver fixtures

a modern white kitchen with an emerald subway tile backsplash and butcherblock countertops and open shelves

a modern white kitchen with an emerald subway tile backsplash and butcherblock countertops and open shelves

Décor Styles

Today I’d like to be more specific about kitchens. Subway tiles are widely used in the kitchens for backsplashes and even for covering walls because tiles are a very practical and popular solution on the whole, and subway is classics. Subway tiles fit many décor styles: rustic, mid-century modern, just modern, farmhouse, industrial, art deco and Scandinavian. They aren’t boring at all: this is timeless classics that needn’t changing even years after.

a modern white kitchen with butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, a kitchen island and potted plants

a modern white kitchen with butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, a kitchen island and potted plants

a neutral contemporary kitchen with white countertops and hunter green subway tiles plus gold fixtures for a more elegant look

a neutral contemporary kitchen with white countertops and hunter green subway tiles plus gold fixtures for a more elegant look

a neutral farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, a blue subway tile backsplash and a metal hood, white stone countertops

a neutral farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, a blue subway tile backsplash and a metal hood, white stone countertops

a neutral kitchen with farmhouse touches, rich stained wooden countertops and a white subway tile backsplash

a neutral kitchen with farmhouse touches, rich stained wooden countertops and a white subway tile backsplash

a pretty modern kitchen with white cabinets and a stained kitchen island, a green subway tile wall and open shelves

a pretty modern kitchen with white cabinets and a stained kitchen island, a green subway tile wall and open shelves

a serene Scandinavian kitchen with only lower cabinets and dark butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and a shelf

a serene Scandinavian kitchen with only lower cabinets and dark butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and a shelf

a simple white Scandi kitchen with sleek cabinets, butcherblock countertops and a white subway tile backsplash

a simple white Scandi kitchen with sleek cabinets, butcherblock countertops and a white subway tile backsplash

a stylish black farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, a whiet subway tile backsplash, open shelves and a large metal hood

a stylish black farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, a whiet subway tile backsplash, open shelves and a large metal hood

a tiny minimalist kitchen in white, with wooden coutnertops and a shelf plus a white subway tile backsplash and pendant bulbs

a tiny minimalist kitchen in white, with wooden coutnertops and a shelf plus a white subway tile backsplash and pendant bulbs

a traditional white kitchen with grey marble subway tiles on the backsplash and walls plus wooden touches

a traditional white kitchen with grey marble subway tiles on the backsplash and walls plus wooden touches

a trendy two-tone kitchen with white and stained cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash and metal countertops

a trendy two-tone kitchen with white and stained cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash and metal countertops

a unique kitchen clad with light blue subway tiles all over the walls, dark cabinets and open shelves is a cool idea

a unique kitchen clad with light blue subway tiles all over the walls, dark cabinets and open shelves is a cool idea

a vintage farmhouse kittchen with white shaker cabinets, a white subway tile bacjsplash, a planked kitchen island and pendant lamps

a vintage farmhouse kittchen with white shaker cabinets, a white subway tile bacjsplash, a planked kitchen island and pendant lamps

a vintage-inspired navy kitchen with glossy navy subway tiles, white marble countertops and metallic touches

a vintage-inspired navy kitchen with glossy navy subway tiles, white marble countertops and metallic touches

a wgute modern farmhouse kitchen wiht grey and green subway tiles, a glass storage unit, a white sink and lamps

a wgute modern farmhouse kitchen wiht grey and green subway tiles, a glass storage unit, a white sink and lamps

a white coastal kitchen with shaker cabinets, a turquoise subway tile backsplash, a stained table and blue stools

a white coastal kitchen with shaker cabinets, a turquoise subway tile backsplash, a stained table and blue stools

a white farmhouse kitchen with light grey subway tile backsplash and stainless steel to finish off the look

a white farmhouse kitchen with light grey subway tile backsplash and stainless steel to finish off the look

Patterns

Subway tiles can be clad in various ways: crosshatch, stack bond, traditional herringbone, running bond, straight and diagonal herringbone, offset, diagonal offset, vertical stack bond and vertical offset bond. The most popular are offset and straight and diagonal herringbone.

a white farmhouse kitchen with white countertops, a grey subway tile backsplash and gold fixtures

a white farmhouse kitchen with white countertops, a grey subway tile backsplash and gold fixtures

a white farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, open shelves, a stained kitchen island

a white farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, open shelves, a stained kitchen island

a white farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, pendant lamps and decor

a white farmhouse kitchen with white stone countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, pendant lamps and decor

a white kitchen with a navy subway tile backsplash, a metal hood, a white stone countertop is super chic

a white kitchen with a navy subway tile backsplash, a metal hood, a white stone countertop is super chic

a white kitchen with grey countertops and a black glossy tile backsplash that takes two walls plus floating stained shelves for spices

a white kitchen with grey countertops and a black glossy tile backsplash that takes two walls plus floating stained shelves for spices

a white modern country kitchen with shaker style cabinets, white stone countertops, wooden floating shelves and a wooden hood

a white modern country kitchen with shaker style cabinets, white stone countertops, wooden floating shelves and a wooden hood

a white modern country kitchen with white planked cabinets, dark ceiling beams, pendant lamps, tall stools and shelves

a white modern country kitchen with white planked cabinets, dark ceiling beams, pendant lamps, tall stools and shelves

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with a light green subway tile backsplash and white stone countertops

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with a light green subway tile backsplash and white stone countertops

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with black countertops, a navy subway tile backsplash and open shelves

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with black countertops, a navy subway tile backsplash and open shelves

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, open shelves and grey subway tile on the whole wall

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, open shelves and grey subway tile on the whole wall

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, white stone countertops, open storage compartments

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, white stone countertops, open storage compartments

a white Nordic kitchen with shaker cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, open shelves and a black hood

a white Nordic kitchen with shaker cabinets, a white subway tile backsplash, open shelves and a black hood

a white Scandinavian kitchen with buctherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and a wall-mounted table and stools

a white Scandinavian kitchen with buctherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and a wall-mounted table and stools

a white Scandinavian kitchen with shaker cabinets, a bold blu subway tile backsplash and white countertops

a white Scandinavian kitchen with shaker cabinets, a bold blu subway tile backsplash and white countertops

Colors

If you think that subway tiles mean only white or ivory ones, you are so wrong! Today you can find lots of colors of such tiles and find your perfect fit easily. It may be a light accent: aqua or blue tiles for a white coastal kitchen to hint on its décor theme, or marble subway tiles for delicate décor. Contrasting and bold colors of subway tiles will help you to make your backsplash not boring, even if you don’t use any eye-catching pattern for cladding. Bold and contrasting subway tiles make your light-colored cabinetry stand out, and white cabinets look crispier; such tiles can also add dimension to your kitchen look. If you don’t want a contrast, keep the backsplash in the colors of your kitchen. Subway tiles can highlight your colors, décor, wood texture and many other things if you use it right.

a white Scandinavian kitchen with shaker cabinets, butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and open shelves

a white Scandinavian kitchen with shaker cabinets, butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash and open shelves

a white Scandinavian kitchen with sleek cabinets, butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, a hood that matches the wall

a white Scandinavian kitchen with sleek cabinets, butcherblock countertops, a white subway tile backsplash, a hood that matches the wall

an amazing pale green modern country kitchen with shaker cabients, white subway tiles, brass touches for extra elegance

an amazing pale green modern country kitchen with shaker cabients, white subway tiles, brass touches for extra elegance

an elegant dove grey kitchen with white marble countertops and a white subway tile backsplash for an airy feel

an elegant dove grey kitchen with white marble countertops and a white subway tile backsplash for an airy feel

an elegant kitchen with white and dark green cabinets, white stone countertops, a white subway tile backsplash

an elegant kitchen with white and dark green cabinets, white stone countertops, a white subway tile backsplash

an eye-catchy kitchen with sleek cabinets, a bold blue subway tile backsplash, a large kitchen island and dark stools

an eye-catchy kitchen with sleek cabinets, a bold blue subway tile backsplash, a large kitchen island and dark stools

an eye-catchy white farmhouse kitchen with stone and butcherblock countertops, a bold green subway tile backsplash

an eye-catchy white farmhouse kitchen with stone and butcherblock countertops, a bold green subway tile backsplash

an off-white farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, a white marble subway tile backsplash and a large hood

an off-white farmhouse kitchen with shaker cabinets, a white marble subway tile backsplash and a large hood

dark chocolate subway tiles with white grout make up a contrasting and bold kitchen backsplash

dark chocolate subway tiles with white grout make up a contrasting and bold kitchen backsplash

a white farmhouse kitchen with grey subway tiles all over the kitchen wall and white stone countertops is a chic space

a white farmhouse kitchen with grey subway tiles all over the kitchen wall and white stone countertops is a chic space

a stylish grey farmhouse kitchen with a white subway tile backsplash and white countertops plus black fixtures and pendant lamps

a stylish grey farmhouse kitchen with a white subway tile backsplash and white countertops plus black fixtures and pendant lamps

a classy black farmhouse kitchen with a white subway tile backsplash, butcherblock countertops and stained shelves plus brass handles is pure chic

a classy black farmhouse kitchen with a white subway tile backsplash, butcherblock countertops and stained shelves plus brass handles is pure chic

a modern white kitchen with grey subway tiles on the backsplash to add a subtle touch of color and grey countertops

a modern white kitchen with grey subway tiles on the backsplash to add a subtle touch of color and grey countertops

a rustic meets retro kitchen with wooden cabinets and shelves instead of upper cabinets and walls covered with white subway tiles

a rustic meets retro kitchen with wooden cabinets and shelves instead of upper cabinets and walls covered with white subway tiles

a modern art deco kitchen with grey cabinets, an oversized black metal hood and white subway tiles on the walls

a modern art deco kitchen with grey cabinets, an oversized black metal hood and white subway tiles on the walls

a chic modern white Scandinavian kitchen with white subway tiles and concrete countertops plus potted greenery

a chic modern white Scandinavian kitchen with white subway tiles and concrete countertops plus potted greenery

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with white subway tiles on the wall and open shelves plus pendant lamps is a cool and lovely space

a white modern farmhouse kitchen with white subway tiles on the wall and open shelves plus pendant lamps is a cool and lovely space

a classic white kitchen with a large statement hood, subway tile laid with a diagonal herringbone pattern, black countertops and pendant lamps

a classic white kitchen with a large statement hood, subway tile laid with a diagonal herringbone pattern, black countertops and pendant lamps

a kitchen backsplash clad in subway tiles with a diagonal herringbone pattern is a cool way to add interest to your space without adding color

a kitchen backsplash clad in subway tiles with a diagonal herringbone pattern is a cool way to add interest to your space without adding color

a white farmhouse kitchen with a bold orange subway tile backsplash and white countertops is a cool and vibrant space

a white farmhouse kitchen with a bold orange subway tile backsplash and white countertops is a cool and vibrant space

Now enjoy more various ideas of subway tiles in the kitchen and get inspired!

black kitchen countertops crisply contrast a white subway tile backsplash for a look that's fresh and simple

black kitchen countertops crisply contrast a white subway tile backsplash for a look that's fresh and simple

grass green subway tiles as a backsplash and on the kitchen island infuse this kitchen with color still keeping it quite traditional thanks to the type of the tile

grass green subway tiles as a backsplash and on the kitchen island infuse this kitchen with color still keeping it quite traditional thanks to the type of the tile

subway tiles in a pale blue-gray give depth to the backsplash and make the white cabinetry feel even more fresh

subway tiles in a pale blue-gray give depth to the backsplash and make the white cabinetry feel even more fresh

chocolate brown subway tiles look chic with black stone countertops and white cabinetry

chocolate brown subway tiles look chic with black stone countertops and white cabinetry

gray glass subway tile backsplash with dark brown cabinets and stainless steel appliances

gray glass subway tile backsplash with dark brown cabinets and stainless steel appliances

white farmhouse cabinets with white stone countertops and marble-looking subway tiles for delicate and subtle decor

white farmhouse cabinets with white stone countertops and marble-looking subway tiles for delicate and subtle decor

navy subway tiles and black countertops make white cabinetry stand out and create a contrast

navy subway tiles and black countertops make white cabinetry stand out and create a contrast

emerald subway tile backsplash makes up the whole kitchen style infusing the space with color and bringing interest to it

emerald subway tile backsplash makes up the whole kitchen style infusing the space with color and bringing interest to it

aqua-colored subway tiles covering the whole wall infuse the kitchen with color and substitute upper cabinets

aqua-colored subway tiles covering the whole wall infuse the kitchen with color and substitute upper cabinets

bold blue subway tiles to make the cabinetry look fresher and add color to the kitchen instantly and make it cooler

bold blue subway tiles to make the cabinetry look fresher and add color to the kitchen instantly and make it cooler

a glam and art deco kitchen with blue subway tiles of different shades, white and stained cabinets, a large hood and pendant lamps

a glam and art deco kitchen with blue subway tiles of different shades, white and stained cabinets, a large hood and pendant lamps

vertical stack bond clad subway tiles in this kitchen add a pop of color and pattern and make the space cooler and catchier

vertical stack bond clad subway tiles in this kitchen add a pop of color and pattern and make the space cooler and catchier

light blue subway tiles add a coastal feel tothe kitchen, and blue stools support this color

light blue subway tiles add a coastal feel tothe kitchen, and blue stools support this color

make your kitchen stand out and raise your mood with a sunny yellow kitchen backsplash

make your kitchen stand out and raise your mood with a sunny yellow kitchen backsplash

calming and soothing gree subway tiles to make your kitchen peaceful

calming and soothing gree subway tiles to make your kitchen peaceful

lime green tiles look great with natural light wood and create a feeling of being outside

lime green tiles look great with natural light wood and create a feeling of being outside

you may use various colors of subway tiles to make the backsplash more eye-catchy

you may use various colors of subway tiles to make the backsplash more eye-catchy