Subway tile got its start as a low-maintenance option for transportation hubs in the early 20th century and the style has steadily increased in popularity ever since. Now, you’ll find subway tile in homes and businesses all over the world.
The original subway tile was white and it continues to be a timeless decor choice. However, subway tile design has evolved to include limitless creative options for color, glaze, size, grout combinations, and layout variations. Subway tile installed in a herringbone, vertical, diagonal, or stacked pattern gives a contemporary twist to this time-tested favorite.
These are just a few of our ideas for how to use subway tile in your home or business and you can find more inspiration on our Pinterest board. The sky’s the limit for subway tile design options, so use these examples as a starting point and then let your imagination run wild!
Brown Stacked Tile
Want to create a cozy feeling for your bathroom? This chocolate brown tile in a horizontal grid might be the perfect choice.
Green Stacked Tile
A horizontal tile grid in emerald green takes this kitchen from simple to sophisticated.
Variegated Black Tile Backsplash
This variegated black tile backsplash in a horizontal stack is the picture of sleek sophistication.
Variegated Vertical Tile Grid
A vertical grid with variegated matte tiles in grayscale makes for an office feature wall that’s both muted and bold.
Black, Gray and White Herringbone Tile
This hotel lobby feature wall has a little fun with herringbone tile by interspersing black, gray, and white tiles.
Beige Laundry Tile Grid
Basic never looked better. This laundry room features a straightforward beige horizontal tile grid for its backsplash and large cement-look floor tiles for a simple and efficient style.
Pearly Laundry Room Tile Flooring
Clean and pristine is the vibe of this white laundry room, which features high-gloss ceramic tile flooring, a matching countertop, and a white subway tile backsplash.
Off-Kilter Gray Subway Tile Laundry Room Backsplash
Being off-kilter isn’t necessarily a bad thing — so proves this laundry room, which features a glossy gray subway tile backsplash with a unique, barely-there offset.
Glossy Blue Laundry Room Tile Backsplash
Lose yourself in the deep-sea blue of this glossy tile backsplash as you fold laundry — you might just forget you’re doing chores!
Matte White Subway Tile Laundry Room Wall
Modern farmhouse design is at its finest in this laundry room, which features a matte subway tile feature wall and white ceramic tile flooring.
Quarry Tile Laundry Room Flooring
This laundry room features a twist on the classic grid layout with a combination of square quarry tiles and rectangle quarry tiles.
Triangle Tile Laundry Room Mosaic
Farmhouse meets FUN in this modern laundry room. Traditional white subway tile spans the left and right walls as the the back wall features a playful triangle tile mosaic in neutral shades.
Vintage-Inspired Laundry Room
Looking for the perfect equation for a vintage-inspired laundry room? It’s easy: Simply combine white subway tile with black and white penny round tile flooring and voilà!
Black Subway Tile Laundry Room Backsplash
Have you ever seen such a sophisticated laundry room? A bold black subway tile feature wall elevates this room’s function to a style statement.
Laundry Room Tile Flooring With Geometric Shapes
This laundry room ceramic floor features geometric shapes with a medieval-inspired pattern to coordinate with a variegated cream subway tile backsplash.
Variegated Stacked Tile Backsplash in Earth Tones
Earth tones are on display in this gorgeous variegated stacked tile backsplash.
Retro Pink Laundry Room Tile
Three things we love about this retro laundry room: the pink, horizontally stacked subway tile, the vintage-inspired black and white ceramic tile flooring pattern, and that classic gold dog shower fixture.