With their roots back in early 1900’s New York subways, subway tiles are the epitome of classic, timeless design. The humble subway tile can be laid in all sorts of patterns to create a more modern look in your home and of course, with so many colours and styles available on the market, you are sure to find your perfect tile! We look at 10 exciting subway tile patterns to help you create the perfect look in your next interior design project, whether it is a kitchen renovation or bathroom renovation.
Subway tiles provide a classic and timeless design choice for the home. These elegant tiles can be used as a wall tile solution, being a popular choice for use as a kitchen or laundry splashback tile, as a bathroom feature wall tile and even as a floor tile throughout the home. It is of course important to note the tile’s properties and materials when it comes to selecting subway tiles as a flooring solution; most natural stone tiles for example are perfect for use as a floor tile whereas ceramic tiles may feature a more decorative surface finish and cannot always be used as a flooring option.
Subway tiles can be used to create a huge range of different tile patterns or layouts, from classic brick bond tile layouts, intricate basket weave patterns and more.
The chart below shows a range of exciting subway tile patterns that can be achieved:
Subway Tile Patterns: Experimenting with Space
Thanks to their classic rectangle shape and smaller size, subway tiles can be used to create an impressive range of patterns – as seen in the diagram above! A great way to use subway tiles to your benefit however is to experiment with the space or dimensions in the area being tiled. Say for example, your bathroom has a low ceiling – Subway tiles can be laid running vertically up the wall to create a sense of height in the room. A narrow space? Run your tiles in a horizontally stacked layout to create a sense of width in the room!
PRO TIP: Always ensure you discuss your selected preferences with your Tiler prior to signing off on any quotes as the pattern, size and even grout type can affect the overall cost of your tiling project. If grout lines are a concern to you, you may want to consider using an epoxy grout – Find out more in our guide here.
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