Decorating
New Ways to Use Beloved Subway Tiles
Subway tiles are still all the rage in contemporary homes, but why not add interest and style to this classic look with a little twist
We’ve seen subway tiles hung in herringbone and chevron patterns, stacked with straight grout lines and in fetching colours. But wait, there’s more. How about a Tetris-like layout or a coursing pattern that mimics a textile weave? Those are just some of the emerging ways of working with the classic shape. Subway tiles are easy to find and versatile, which makes them a go-to choice, architect Zuzanna Krykorka says. Here are a few of the interesting ways to use them.
Krykorka drew up the interior design to give the clients a better sense of what it would look like in their space, and even did a 60 x 60-centimetre mock-up on a plywood board.
She used standard 7.5 x 15-centimetre tiles in white and chose dark grout to emphasise the lines.
Lifting the lid on tile effects
She used standard 7.5 x 15-centimetre tiles in white and chose dark grout to emphasise the lines.
Lifting the lid on tile effects
You could pick a lighter grout, which leads to a more subtle pattern, as with this splashback done in standard grey tiles.
The straight herringbone design takes longer to install than a simple subway tile pattern, so it can be a pricier option, says Melissa Couture-Peterson, a designer with Designs of the Interior.
The straight herringbone design takes longer to install than a simple subway tile pattern, so it can be a pricier option, says Melissa Couture-Peterson, a designer with Designs of the Interior.
2. Pattern with colour
Architect Michael Howells used two colour groups of handmade standard-size subways to create a straight herringbone pattern on this bathroom floor. No two tiles are alike, which leads to the illusion that more than one hue is in play.
He wanted a Western vibe and liked that this was a nice break from the regular subway layout.
Architect Michael Howells used two colour groups of handmade standard-size subways to create a straight herringbone pattern on this bathroom floor. No two tiles are alike, which leads to the illusion that more than one hue is in play.
He wanted a Western vibe and liked that this was a nice break from the regular subway layout.
3. Coursing
Colour and an alternative layout blend to create a subtle textile-like design called coursing, says Daniel Ewald of etA Architecture. Subway tiles are offset and alternate in colour to look like a basket or textile weave.
This is a moderately more complicated pattern, with three colours of 7.5 x 20-centimetre tiles. The design does require careful alignment and installation, Ewald says. Homeowners should make sure the installers are comfortable with it, and they should expect to pay more for the work.
Colour and an alternative layout blend to create a subtle textile-like design called coursing, says Daniel Ewald of etA Architecture. Subway tiles are offset and alternate in colour to look like a basket or textile weave.
This is a moderately more complicated pattern, with three colours of 7.5 x 20-centimetre tiles. The design does require careful alignment and installation, Ewald says. Homeowners should make sure the installers are comfortable with it, and they should expect to pay more for the work.
This kitchen splashback also features a coursing pattern with three colours, but it’s done on the horizontal.
It’s important to understand how any pattern will look in your space, says Kali Robledo, social media manager for Fireclay Tile.
She suggests getting samples from your tile supplier and putting them in the space. Homeowners should also do a mock-up on a large sheet of paper, sketching out a scaled version of the pattern, or use a designer who can provide a digital rendering.
Browse more subway tile splashbacks
She suggests getting samples from your tile supplier and putting them in the space. Homeowners should also do a mock-up on a large sheet of paper, sketching out a scaled version of the pattern, or use a designer who can provide a digital rendering.
Browse more subway tile splashbacks
4. Vertical layout
This is a simple take on the traditional subway layout, just rotated vertically.
The homeowner’s initials are H.H., and you can see this pattern is a comment on that, Howells says.
This is a simple take on the traditional subway layout, just rotated vertically.
The homeowner’s initials are H.H., and you can see this pattern is a comment on that, Howells says.
Howells coordinated the grout colour with the benchtops so that the colour threads up through the tiles.
When the grout contrasts with the glaze – especially in terms of light and dark – the individual tiles are much more identifiable and the size and pattern pop.
When the grout contrasts with the glaze – especially in terms of light and dark – the individual tiles are much more identifiable and the size and pattern pop.
This kitchen splashback features 7.5 x 20-centimetre subways in two finishes and set vertically. The random pattern and the stacked layout turn the classic into a modern statement.
The return of tiled splashbacks
The return of tiled splashbacks
5. Coloured grout
Customising a grout colour is an easy way to add interest and detail to an economical white subway, says Antony Martin, an architect with MRTN Architects.
Customising a grout colour is an easy way to add interest and detail to an economical white subway, says Antony Martin, an architect with MRTN Architects.
In this bathroom, the designers chose a yellow grout to match two custom towel hooks. Custom grout is only slightly more expensive than standard colours and shouldn’t affect installation costs, Martin says.
Grout is an easy means of offering a pop of colour without the big commitment of coloured tile, Martin says.
Here, green grout was used to illustrate the traditional subway layout and continue the wall colour.
Here, green grout was used to illustrate the traditional subway layout and continue the wall colour.
6. Mirrored finishes
Manufacturers have emerged with new, interesting materials for subway tiles, like these mirrored tiles with an antiqued finish used in a powder room.
Designer Jacqueline Fortier wanted an elegant tile that felt antique to honour the 120-year-old home. She likes the drama it adds to the wall and the fact that it’s not an in-your-face-mirror you would normally see over a vanity.
She mixed two finishes, gold and silver, to give the feel of a naturally aged mirror.
Manufacturers have emerged with new, interesting materials for subway tiles, like these mirrored tiles with an antiqued finish used in a powder room.
Designer Jacqueline Fortier wanted an elegant tile that felt antique to honour the 120-year-old home. She likes the drama it adds to the wall and the fact that it’s not an in-your-face-mirror you would normally see over a vanity.
She mixed two finishes, gold and silver, to give the feel of a naturally aged mirror.
It’s easy for a mirrored tile to look gaudy, Fortier says, but the classic shape of subway tempers the effect.
It comes at a price, though, she adds. The mirrored tiles cost about $87 a square foot, (roughly $1250 per square metre) a big jump from the usual cost of subway tile.
It’s also worth noting that this is a wall tile, not meant for shower enclosures or flooring, Fortier says.
TELL US
Have you used subway tiles in a new or different way? We’d love to see! Upload your photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more statement tiles
It comes at a price, though, she adds. The mirrored tiles cost about $87 a square foot, (roughly $1250 per square metre) a big jump from the usual cost of subway tile.
It’s also worth noting that this is a wall tile, not meant for shower enclosures or flooring, Fortier says.
TELL US
Have you used subway tiles in a new or different way? We’d love to see! Upload your photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more statement tiles
This pattern, featuring tiles stacked so their corners form right angles, feels fresh, but Krykorka, of Studio Z Design, notes that it’s been around for thousands of years. For this project, the owners wanted a neutral colour palette with pattern, so the designer suggested this layout, different from the traditional herringbone pattern set on a diagonal.