The ever-popular subway tile design owes its stylish longevity to incredible versatility.
Subway tiles were originally developed over 100 years ago for use in the New York subway system when designers were tasked with designing a surface that was both low-maintenance and bright.
The Original Subway Tile Pattern
The first subway tiles were glossy white and their highly reflective surface helped create a safe, sanitary feeling for passengers who may have had concerns about traveling underground. Victorians prioritized hygiene, so easy-to-clean, stain-resistant, and bacteria-resistant ceramic tile was soon being used anywhere hygiene was a concern, including kitchens and bathrooms.
The inherent timelessness of the original subway tile design uses plain white rectangle tiles and a simple tile layout to create a design that’s equally impactful and easy to achieve.
Subway tiles were traditionally 3 x 6 inches and laid in a 50% offset, meaning that the middle of the tile aligns with the edges of the two tiles above or beneath it. This layout pattern, as well as the size ratio of a rectangular tile with 1-to-2 dimensions became synonymous with the term “subway tile” but you may also recognize this pattern as a traditional brick layout.
Contemporary Subway Tile Patterns
Contemporary subway tile variations include both smaller and much larger rectangles: 2 x 4, 4 x 8, 6 x 12, and larger. While the original 50% offset has never been abandoned, alternative patterns include a one-third offset and a one-fourth offset. Add to this, pattern variations that are stacked, angled, and mixed sizes, and you truly have the most versaTILE shape to work with.
Running Bond Pattern
The running bond pattern gives us a variation to the traditional subway/brick pattern by altering the offset.
Vertical Stacked Grid Pattern
This vertical stacked grid tile pattern employs an offset and three colors of tile to achieve a one-of-a-kind laundry room design.
Horizontal Stacked Grid Pattern
Subway tile takes on a modern sleekness with a simple shift in alignment. These green tiles are stacked in a horizontal pattern to form a luxurious full-wall backsplash coordinated with marble-look gauged porcelain tile panel countertops and walls.
[Related: Vast Veining in Marble-Look Tile]
Crosshatch Tile Pattern
The crosshatch pattern uses two or more stacked tiles in block groups laid perpendicular to each other.
The floor of this cafe uses a large subway tile shape in a crosshatch pattern and achieves an even more unique look with random color combinations.
Herringbone Tile Pattern
Beautiful blue undulating tiles in a herringbone pattern use a stark white grout to accentuate the pattern.
[Related: Grout Color Guide: How to Choose the Right Grout Color for Your Tile]
Look at the skillful craftsmanship of this herringbone pattern turning the corner of a wall with a chevron angle!
[Related: Open Shelving Tile Backsplashes and Tile Walls]
Chevron Tile Pattern
Subway tiles can be cut at an angle to form a chevron pattern or chevron styles may come in mosaic tile sheets for easy installation. Additionally, manufacturers may produce the look of many tiles in a chevron pattern on a larger tile.
[Related: Mosaic Tile Ideas: Your Big Guide to Little Tiles]
Mixing it Up
There’s a “freeing up” of following a set pattern when you have a shape as versatile as the subway tile rectangle. Installations can use multiple patterns, sizes, and colors to create one-of-a-kind designs.
Combining tile directions
Utilizing a subway tile pattern and making an insert that is simply rotated 90 degrees achieves a dynamic focal point.
This flooring pattern, which combines vertical and horizontal stacked patterns, creates a corridor effect.
[Related: Tile: The Modern Flooring Option]
Combining tile sizes
Shapes evocative of subway tile have evolved to XL rectangles and also “skinny” tiles. These tiles in earth tones combine sizes for a contemporary twist with still the familiar subway approach.
Combining colors
Combining different colors of the same tile in a particular design, be it a color block or a random arrangement, elevates even the simplest pattern.
[Related: Tile Color Psychology: How Your tile Color Affects Your Mood]
Combining tile patterns
Incorporating a herringbone tile pattern for the flooring and the inset nook of the walls (subway/brick pattern) ties together a serene style for this bathroom.
Surface design
Whether in design, dimension, or texture, subway tiles make the most of contemporary manufacturing techniques to create or highlight a layout pattern.
Combining with other tile shapes
The simplicity of the subway rectangle gives way to endless combinations, including combining with other tile shapes for spectacular results.
Subway Savvy
Subway tile has stood the test of time. First developed for strictly utilitarian goals, this classic tile has proven style endurance for over a century, adapting to new manufacturing techniques and creative installations to be a forever starring trend with designers.
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