Renovating
Bored of Standard Subway Tiles? Here’s How to Update
Every other home's got subway tiles but here's how to make yours stand out
Timeless, budget-friendly and easy to lay – the simple subway tile is a great choice for kitchen and bathroom walls. But if you’re tired of the usual brickwork layout and want to make a bold design statement, check out these ideas for giving these plain rectangular tiles a fresh look.
Take it sideways
The same pattern can have a very different effect if the rows are laid horizontally. The herringbone design in this bathroom is the same as in the previous kitchen, but the angle makes the pattern appear less uniform.
The same pattern can have a very different effect if the rows are laid horizontally. The herringbone design in this bathroom is the same as in the previous kitchen, but the angle makes the pattern appear less uniform.
Design on the diagonal
Or how about laying your herringbone design diagonally? Tiles positioned vertically and horizontally form diagonal points, but the overall effect is of a grid.
It works well here with black grouting, which emphasises the geometric pattern and the contrast with the circular mirror.
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Or how about laying your herringbone design diagonally? Tiles positioned vertically and horizontally form diagonal points, but the overall effect is of a grid.
It works well here with black grouting, which emphasises the geometric pattern and the contrast with the circular mirror.
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Give it some teeth
For an interesting alternative, ditch the edging and let the herringbone form a zigzag finish.
How long and how high should your backsplash be?
For an interesting alternative, ditch the edging and let the herringbone form a zigzag finish.
How long and how high should your backsplash be?
Big up basketweave
Showcase squares
The owners of this kitchen wanted simple finishes for a fresh look. To add some very subtle texture to the space, they laid the tiles in a basketweave pattern. The simple design is created by setting the tiles perpendicular to each other in groups of three.
Here, the white grouting ensures the pattern is understated enough to blend into the background, while the basketweave design brings character to the room.
This pattern can look equally appealing laid diagonally, so try rotating the squares 45 degrees for a different take.
Showcase squares
The owners of this kitchen wanted simple finishes for a fresh look. To add some very subtle texture to the space, they laid the tiles in a basketweave pattern. The simple design is created by setting the tiles perpendicular to each other in groups of three.
Here, the white grouting ensures the pattern is understated enough to blend into the background, while the basketweave design brings character to the room.
This pattern can look equally appealing laid diagonally, so try rotating the squares 45 degrees for a different take.
Play with pattern
If a uniform basketweave doesn’t appeal, try a more random design. Here, just a few of the tile squares have been flipped over to break up the pattern and catch the eye without being too shouty.
If a uniform basketweave doesn’t appeal, try a more random design. Here, just a few of the tile squares have been flipped over to break up the pattern and catch the eye without being too shouty.
Vote for Vertical
Up the ante
By simply turning the classic brickwork pattern 90 degrees, you can change the look of your subway tiles. Here, a dividing wall stands out with its vertical tile pattern, which is laid at a right angle to the horizontal brick design elsewhere.
The change of tile and grout colour helps to reinforce the difference, but the contrast is subtle enough to keep the space feeling harmonious.
Up the ante
By simply turning the classic brickwork pattern 90 degrees, you can change the look of your subway tiles. Here, a dividing wall stands out with its vertical tile pattern, which is laid at a right angle to the horizontal brick design elsewhere.
The change of tile and grout colour helps to reinforce the difference, but the contrast is subtle enough to keep the space feeling harmonious.
Hint at tongue-and-groove
Here’s the same idea, but with a different effect. This time the vertical pattern contrasts with a hexagonal mosaic above.
The grey tiles are laid only halfway up the wall and along the bath – an interesting take on timber tongue-and-groove panelling.
Here’s the same idea, but with a different effect. This time the vertical pattern contrasts with a hexagonal mosaic above.
The grey tiles are laid only halfway up the wall and along the bath – an interesting take on timber tongue-and-groove panelling.
Stack ’em high
Create columns
Make a statement by keeping your design ultra-simple. These long, linear subway tiles have been positioned in straight columns to form a neat grid.
By laying them along the bath as well, the designers have made the effect more dramatic, and the black grout adds to the graphic look.
Create columns
Make a statement by keeping your design ultra-simple. These long, linear subway tiles have been positioned in straight columns to form a neat grid.
By laying them along the bath as well, the designers have made the effect more dramatic, and the black grout adds to the graphic look.
Bridge the gap
Here, smaller tiles work nicely in columns to chime with the stacked wall cupboards and break up the expanse of rich wood.
TELL US
Are you planning to be creative with subway tiles? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
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Here, smaller tiles work nicely in columns to chime with the stacked wall cupboards and break up the expanse of rich wood.
TELL US
Are you planning to be creative with subway tiles? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments section.
MORE
Ceramic Tile vs Porcelain: How They Stack Up in Different Spaces
Go up the wall
For an instant update on classic subway tiles, consider laying them in a herringbone pattern.
This contemporary kitchen is full of sleek surfaces and neat lines that move vertically and horizontally. It’s the ideal streamlined backdrop to a wall of pattern, created by laying white rectangular tiles in diagonal columns. The idea is simple, yet the effect is quite stunning.