Is It Over for Subway Tile?
Should we ditch the ubiquitous rows of rectangles for a rival, or is subway tile a classic that’s here to stay?
by Amanda Pollard
Subway tile has been a staple on kitchen and bathroom walls for the past decade and still seems to be going strong, but does the emergence of some beautiful tile trends signal the end of the line for it? We look at five popular subway substitutes and then make a case for sticking with the classic tile.
5 Alternatives to Subway Tile
1. Mosaic: interesting and tactile. For a textured feel in your bathroom or kitchen, try small mosaics like these. Sheets of tiny tiles are a tactile alternative to the smooth subway, but they can work just as well to form a subtle backdrop to the rest of the room.
Hexagonal mosaics like these are popping up in many well-designed homes right now, and they look great on both floors and walls.
1. Mosaic: interesting and tactile. For a textured feel in your bathroom or kitchen, try small mosaics like these. Sheets of tiny tiles are a tactile alternative to the smooth subway, but they can work just as well to form a subtle backdrop to the rest of the room.
Hexagonal mosaics like these are popping up in many well-designed homes right now, and they look great on both floors and walls.
2. Glazed: soft and shimmery. If you love the pared-back look of subway tile but want an even softer feel, go for a glazed finish, as shown here. The shiny, uneven surface reflects the light to give a shimmery look that’s perfect for a tranquil, traditional-style bathroom or kitchen.
The square tiles here are laid in a brickwork pattern, so the difference between this look and subway tile is slight — an ideal compromise for die-hard fans.
The square tiles here are laid in a brickwork pattern, so the difference between this look and subway tile is slight — an ideal compromise for die-hard fans.
3. Chevron: the same, but different. Another compromise for subway tile enthusiasts is this alternative layout. Flat, rectangular tiles are positioned in a chevron pattern to give them a modern edge. The effect is stylish and interesting, and the diagonal lines tie in with the patterned design elsewhere.
A layout like this would work well in a room with a herringbone parquet floor forming a pleasing imitation of the design on the wall.
A layout like this would work well in a room with a herringbone parquet floor forming a pleasing imitation of the design on the wall.
Here’s another chevron design that’s even further away from classic subway tile. These long, black tiles look stunning laid diagonally from top to bottom in this shower enclosure.
4. Geometric: to enliven a surface. Geometric patterns are continuing to show up frequently in home design on numerous surfaces, and tiles are no exception. The diamond shapes on this wall are laid in an interesting formation that would provide hours of fun for the owners: Are they cubes, hexagons, flowers or stars?
The design is certainly more visually stimulating than a classic subway arrangement, but the tiles are subtle enough not to overwhelm the space.
The design is certainly more visually stimulating than a classic subway arrangement, but the tiles are subtle enough not to overwhelm the space.
5. Moroccan: to create elegant curves. Not keen on straight, sharp lines? Try one of the Moroccan-style tiles that are on the market. The shapes created by a layout like this look gentle and elegant. As an easy transition from subway tiles, use them as a monochrome backsplash, as the homeowners have done here, or go for an all-white design to cover the walls.
If you’re feeling brave, choose a rich color, such as cobalt blue or emerald green, to really make a statement.
If you’re feeling brave, choose a rich color, such as cobalt blue or emerald green, to really make a statement.
5 Reasons to Stick With Subway Tile
Each of these alternatives is beautiful in its own way and would look gorgeous in any home. But does that mean subway tile has had its day? See if you agree with these five reasons for sticking with it.
1. It’s timeless. If you’re going for a vintage look in your bathroom or kitchen, tile design can make or break the room. In this wash space, for example, the distressed wood cabinet, the vintage chair and artwork, and the old fireplace give the room a cozy, antique feel. Since the subway tile’s timeless look doesn’t shout modern, the feel of the room remains old-fashioned.
Each of these alternatives is beautiful in its own way and would look gorgeous in any home. But does that mean subway tile has had its day? See if you agree with these five reasons for sticking with it.
1. It’s timeless. If you’re going for a vintage look in your bathroom or kitchen, tile design can make or break the room. In this wash space, for example, the distressed wood cabinet, the vintage chair and artwork, and the old fireplace give the room a cozy, antique feel. Since the subway tile’s timeless look doesn’t shout modern, the feel of the room remains old-fashioned.
2. It’s also contemporary. In contrast to the previous vintage look, this bathroom has a distinctly contemporary style. The black-framed shower door and industrial-style vanity unit are smart and on-trend.
Versatile subway tile works with this look as perfectly as it does with a traditional design. The black grout is the key to updating it, as the sharp lines replicate the other elements in the room.
Versatile subway tile works with this look as perfectly as it does with a traditional design. The black grout is the key to updating it, as the sharp lines replicate the other elements in the room.
3. It works as a frame. Want some pattern on your walls but not all over? Try teaming classic subway tile with smaller areas of pattern, as shown in this design. The pale gray subway tile forms a frame around one of two recesses that were tiled with an intricate design.
The pattern would have been too busy all over the walls, but the subway tile calms it down and helps showcase the beautiful design in the recesses.
The pattern would have been too busy all over the walls, but the subway tile calms it down and helps showcase the beautiful design in the recesses.
4. It contrasts with patterned floors. Subway tile is also the ideal foil for a bold floor design. By tiling the walls with a simple brickwork formation, the owners of this kitchen were able to let loose on the floor. The white walls form a blank canvas to highlight an expanse of stunning pattern.
5. It shows off architectural features. The exposed brick walls in this bathroom give the room architectural character but would have looked too busy next to an elaborate tile design. The subway tile echoes the brickwork formation on the exposed walls, and the blue tone brings out the warm terra-cotta in the brick.
Looking to remodel your kitchen or bath? Cabinet-S-Top is here to help! Stop by our showroom located at 1977 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256 ~ 330.239.3630 ~
www.cabinet-s-top.com
Looking to remodel your kitchen or bath? Cabinet-S-Top is here to help! Stop by our showroom located at 1977 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256 ~ 330.239.3630 ~
www.cabinet-s-top.com
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1977 Medina Rd, Medina, OH 44256, USA
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