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.
grey subway tiles all over the kitchen wall
herringbone clad wall with subway tiles for functionality in the kitchen
shower completely covered with ceramic bubway tiles
white subway tiles clad in herringbone pattern in the bathroom
modern shower and bathtub fully clad with grey subway tiles
aqua-toned subway tiles for cladding a shower
navy subway tiles look so bold with white seams
black subway tiles perfectly fit this mid-century modern bathroom
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.
mid-century modern kitchen with an ivory subway tile backsplash
traditional black kitchen with crispy white subway tiles
modern white kitchen with grey subway tiles for a contrasting look
rustic kitchen with wooden cabinets and walls covered with subway tiles
art deco kitchen with subway tiles on the walls
modern Scandinavian kitchen with white subway tiles
modern farmhouse kitchen with subway tiles on the wall
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.
classic subway tile laid with a diagonal herringbone pattern
kitchen backsplash clad in subway tiles with a diagonal herringbone pattern
bold orange kitchen backsplash and wall covered in offset pattern
black kitchen countertops crisply contrast a white subway tile backsplash for a look that's fresh and simple
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.
grass green subway tiles as a backsplash and on the kitchen island
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
gray glass subway tile backsplash with dark brown cabinets and stainless steel appliances
marble-looking subway tiles for delicate and subtle decor
navy subway tiles and black countertops make white cabinetry stand out
emerald subway tile backsplash makes up the whole kitchen decor
aqua-colored subway tiles for kitchen decor
bold blue subway tiles to make the cabinetry look fresher
art deco kitchen with blue subway tiles of different shades
Now enjoy more various ideas of subway tiles in the kitchen and get inspired!
vertical stack bond clad subway tiles in this kitchen add a pop of color
light blue subway tiles for adding a coastal feel in the kitchen
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
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