What are subway tiles and where should I use them?
Short Answer
Subway tiles are classic rectangular wall tiles, usually 75x150 mm, 100x200 mm or 100x300 mm, with a slightly bevelled edge. Named after the white wall tiles of the New York subway in 1904.
Why they're a perennial favourite:
1. Timeless - they've been popular for 120 years and never date.
2. Affordable.
3. Endless design potential through the LAYING PATTERN, not the tile itself.
Best uses:
1. Kitchen backsplash (the classic application)
2. Bathroom walls
3. Shower walls
4. Behind-the-bar walls
5. Feature accent walls
Laying patterns to try (this is where subway gets interesting):
1. Classic 50% offset (the 'brick' pattern)
2. 1/3 offset (softer, less repetitive)
3. Stacked vertical (tall, modern, columnar)
4. Stacked horizontal (wider, more contemporary)
5. Herringbone (designer drama)
6. Crosshatch / basket-weave
Colours that work: white (classic), warm cream, sage, soft grey, terracotta, deep green, charcoal. Pair with contrasting grout for the graphic look.
Why they're a perennial favourite:
1. Timeless - they've been popular for 120 years and never date.
2. Affordable.
3. Endless design potential through the LAYING PATTERN, not the tile itself.
Best uses:
1. Kitchen backsplash (the classic application)
2. Bathroom walls
3. Shower walls
4. Behind-the-bar walls
5. Feature accent walls
Laying patterns to try (this is where subway gets interesting):
1. Classic 50% offset (the 'brick' pattern)
2. 1/3 offset (softer, less repetitive)
3. Stacked vertical (tall, modern, columnar)
4. Stacked horizontal (wider, more contemporary)
5. Herringbone (designer drama)
6. Crosshatch / basket-weave
Colours that work: white (classic), warm cream, sage, soft grey, terracotta, deep green, charcoal. Pair with contrasting grout for the graphic look.
Detailed Explanation
Subway tiles are one of those design elements that look modest individually but punch above their weight in the finished space. The name comes from the 75x150 mm white glazed tiles that lined the platforms of the New York subway when it opened in 1904 - chosen because they were easy to clean and gave a bright, reflective surface in the days before electric lighting was good. 120 years later, subway is one of the most consistently specified wall tiles in modern interior design.
Standard sizes:
1. 75x150 mm - the classic 'subway' size.
2. 100x200 mm - slightly larger, more contemporary feel.
3. 100x300 mm - modern, longer subway. Currently the most popular size.
4. Smaller sub-sizes (50x100, 25x150 mm 'mini brick') for designer applications.
Materials: ceramic is the default, vitrified for premium projects, glass for shower walls and accents, stone (marble subway) for luxury bathrooms.
Finishes: glossy is classic and easiest to wipe clean (the original choice). Matte and honed are more contemporary and reduce glare. Hand-made finishes (slightly irregular edges, gentle colour variation) are very on-trend for kitchen backsplashes.
Where subway works:
1. Kitchen backsplash - the classic application. Behind the cooktop, between counter and upper units, or full-height as a feature column.
2. Bathroom walls and shower walls - clean, light, easy to clean, never dates.
3. Behind-the-bar wall in living/dining rooms - gives a café-style feature.
4. Feature accent walls - single subway wall against contrasting plain walls.
5. Laundry rooms, utility rooms - practical and easy to clean.
The real design choice with subway tiles is the LAYING PATTERN, not the tile itself. Different patterns completely change the feel of the same tile:
1. Classic 50% offset (brick pattern) - timeless, casual, traditional.
2. 1/3 offset - softer, less repetitive, more contemporary feel.
3. Stacked vertical (tiles directly above each other, vertical orientation) - tall, columnar, modern. Makes ceilings feel higher.
4. Stacked horizontal (tiles directly above each other, horizontal orientation) - wider, more spacious feel.
5. Herringbone (each tile angled at 90° to the next) - designer drama, highest-impact, also the hardest to lay.
6. Vertical herringbone - herringbone with vertical orientation. Currently very Pinterest.
7. Crosshatch / basket-weave - pairs of vertical and horizontal blocks alternating.
Colours that work in 2026:
1. Classic white - never dates.
2. Warm cream and bone - warmer, more on-trend than stark white.
3. Sage green and olive green - Pinterest favourite for kitchen backsplashes.
4. Soft grey and dove - neutral, calm.
5. Terracotta and warm clay - earthy, on-trend.
6. Deep forest green, navy, ink blue - moody, dramatic kitchens.
7. Matte black - modern, industrial.
Grout strategy: matching grout for a clean, seamless look (white tile + white grout). Contrasting grout (white tile + dark grey grout) for the graphic, exposed-brick look - currently very popular.
Standard sizes:
1. 75x150 mm - the classic 'subway' size.
2. 100x200 mm - slightly larger, more contemporary feel.
3. 100x300 mm - modern, longer subway. Currently the most popular size.
4. Smaller sub-sizes (50x100, 25x150 mm 'mini brick') for designer applications.
Materials: ceramic is the default, vitrified for premium projects, glass for shower walls and accents, stone (marble subway) for luxury bathrooms.
Finishes: glossy is classic and easiest to wipe clean (the original choice). Matte and honed are more contemporary and reduce glare. Hand-made finishes (slightly irregular edges, gentle colour variation) are very on-trend for kitchen backsplashes.
Where subway works:
1. Kitchen backsplash - the classic application. Behind the cooktop, between counter and upper units, or full-height as a feature column.
2. Bathroom walls and shower walls - clean, light, easy to clean, never dates.
3. Behind-the-bar wall in living/dining rooms - gives a café-style feature.
4. Feature accent walls - single subway wall against contrasting plain walls.
5. Laundry rooms, utility rooms - practical and easy to clean.
The real design choice with subway tiles is the LAYING PATTERN, not the tile itself. Different patterns completely change the feel of the same tile:
1. Classic 50% offset (brick pattern) - timeless, casual, traditional.
2. 1/3 offset - softer, less repetitive, more contemporary feel.
3. Stacked vertical (tiles directly above each other, vertical orientation) - tall, columnar, modern. Makes ceilings feel higher.
4. Stacked horizontal (tiles directly above each other, horizontal orientation) - wider, more spacious feel.
5. Herringbone (each tile angled at 90° to the next) - designer drama, highest-impact, also the hardest to lay.
6. Vertical herringbone - herringbone with vertical orientation. Currently very Pinterest.
7. Crosshatch / basket-weave - pairs of vertical and horizontal blocks alternating.
Colours that work in 2026:
1. Classic white - never dates.
2. Warm cream and bone - warmer, more on-trend than stark white.
3. Sage green and olive green - Pinterest favourite for kitchen backsplashes.
4. Soft grey and dove - neutral, calm.
5. Terracotta and warm clay - earthy, on-trend.
6. Deep forest green, navy, ink blue - moody, dramatic kitchens.
7. Matte black - modern, industrial.
Grout strategy: matching grout for a clean, seamless look (white tile + white grout). Contrasting grout (white tile + dark grey grout) for the graphic, exposed-brick look - currently very popular.
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