How to Make Subway Tile Look Classic, Not Basic

Let’s talk tile, friends… everyone and their mother, brother, mailman, etc (you get the point) is using subway tile these. For the past six or seven years this classic material caught on in a big way and the trend isn’t seeming to slow. In my opinion, that’s a good and bad thing. The good news is this: people have discovered the magical and timeless aesthetic of subway tile. The bad news? Since subway tile has been a safe and trendy choice for quite some time now, the overuse of it is quite frankly feeling boring and dated, instead of classic. You’re probably thinking, “since it IS a classic material, you really can’t go wrong and it will never go out of style”… ehhh, yes and no. Like all trends- materials and decor cycle back around with time. Too much of a good thing doesn’t always end well, you know? Not to worry though! I’m sharing a bunch of tips for installing subway tile in a way that feels timeless, intentional, and anything but basic or boring. Click through for lots of ideas and ways to avoid using this popular tile without it looking too trendy or running the risk of it becoming dated. 

Ready or not, here we go! You know what they say… variety is the spice of life. It’s only natural to get bored with something after you’ve seen it a million times on Pinterest, Instagram, or installed in five of your neighbors’ kitchens and baths. Something becomes “trendy” and runs the risk of feeling dated when a material or design is overused. That doesn’t mean a material is no longer relevant- it just means you have to be thoughtful in the way you install and design it, if you want it to withstand the test of time.

The key to using subway tile in a way that won’t get old is to look to history for inspiration. In doing so, you’ll find craftsmanship and intentional design.

I want to share some ideas for making this amazing and affordable tile feel fresh again! After all, I’m about to start installing our guest bathroom this week (YAY!), and there’s a reason I’m using subway tile… obviously I still love it.

USE TRIM PIECES

This goes for any tile job, if you want it to look finished and tailored… use trim pieces! Obviously the above image looks over the top because of the architecture. It’s stunning and not really the norm, but you get the point!

In my guest bath, I’ll be using this base tile, pencil liner, subway tile, and chair rail tile for a cohesive look. No matter your aesthetic, make sure the visible edges look and feel finished. Even if you’re shooting for a modern aesthetic, be sure to cap the tile with a line of simple bullnose tile or install a piece of schluter to hide an unfinished edge. I’m a details person and I promise- they make all the difference!

CONSIDER A BORDER

The beautiful thing about subway tile is that it comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Don’t be afraid to add a little contrast with an inset border. You could even use a different material! Look how beautifully marble carrara pairs with classic white subway in the above image. Again, looking back through history, this technique was commonly installed. Spoiler alert… there will also be a border in my guest bath and just looking at the design plan gets me all kinds of excited for a fun graphic detail.

TRY COLOR BLOCKING

Obviously I’m a color blocking fan, and tile is no exception. This is a great way to elongate a space or break up a field of boring, white tile.

GIVE COLORED TILE A TRY

My friends Kim & Scott used a colored subway tile for the backsplash in their treehouse kitchen and the result is stunning! I love the warm gray hue that is still neutral and classic- yet inviting. Using a colored subway tile immediately feels updated and modern.

USE A DIFFERENT PATTERN

Try running your subway tile in a different direction or pattern. This is the easiest way to make an impact using what you already have.

PUSH THE SCALE

Traditional subway tile is sized at 3×6 inches. However, there are plenty of options on the market that push the scale of subway tile in a unique direction. The above tile makes this bath feel more modern because of the elongated shape. You’ll also notice the designer ran it in a vertical direction. I’m calling that a win for both the scale and the unique pattern. Remember, when I ran the tile in my previous bathroom vertically to trick the eye into thinking the ceiling height was taller than it actually was? That’s another designer trick using tile orientation.

EXPLORE TEXTURED TILE

I’m loving textural tile lately. These handmade and hand glazed subway tiles take on a very organic and natural feel that add a ton of depth and variety to any wall. They feel timeless and effortless, yet updated. The textured tiles certainly give off a more casual vibe.

CREATE A UNIQUE NICHE

For added interest, I prefer to install a little contrast in the niche. Whether it’s behind the range or cooktop in the kitchen on the backsplash, or a shower niche in the bathtub, a little classy contrast goes a long way! You could trim it out with a different color, switch up the tile completely, run a different pattern, or play with scale. However you choose the highlight the recessed area, it will certainly add instant sophistication. Remember, we’re trying to steer clear of “basic”.

DESIGN THE SURROUNDINGS

Lastly, the surroundings and accompanying design elements in a space highly influence the look and feel of a room. For example, if you’re installing subway tile in a bathroom because it’s a classic material, consider purchasing plumbing fixtures that will also withstand the test of time. The surroundings really come into play- it’s not just the tile! Everything that goes into a space plays a part in making it feel timeless, trendy, or dated.

If you’re wondering about grout, that’s an entirely different ballgame. Check out this post for tips on how to choose the right grout for your tile!

For those of you that are rocking plain subway tile and are freaking out right about now… please don’t! Rock it, embrace it, and style the living daylights out of it. OWN IT. At the end of the day, it is a classic material- even if it’s everywhere. To sum things up, I’ll use this little analogy…

Subway tile is like a basic tee- you can wear it every single day and it can look fresh and new depending on how you style it. That’s exactly how I like to think of subway tile! It’s so versatile and can morph into any aesthetic- it just depends on how you install it. It will never really go out of style, but it can look boring if you don’t pay attention to the details. I’m so excited to start tiling this week! Stay tuned. Questions? Comments? I want to hear them all in the comments below!!