See one Subway Tile backsplash, you’ve seen them all? We beg to differ. Hailing originally from the New York City subway system and hung in homes and offices throughout the world, Subway Tile is the undisputed champ for kitchen and bathroom backsplashes.
Tile Shown: Crater Lake in 3x6 // Design: JL Interior Design // Image: Thomas Kuoh
But this classic shape is capable of much more than the standard white kitchen--not that there’s anything wrong with a white Subway Tile backsplash!
Learn the 6 Things to Consider When Choosing a Tile Backsplash
Tile Shown: Rosemary in 3x6 //Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel, Emily Farnham Architecture // Image: Tessa Neustadt
Today’s top interior designers continue to turn to the versatile Subway Tile to create fresh and inventive backsplash designs, and show no signs of letting up.
We’re showing off our top 11 favorite Subway Tile Backsplash Designs. Let's get into it, but first a little Q&A.
What is a Subway Tile?
Subway Tile is a glazed rectangular ceramic tile, usually measuring 3x6. Black and white are the most common subway tile glaze colors, but Fireclay offers over 100 standard tile colors in a variety of finishes and degrees of variation.
Where can Subway Tile be Used?
Subway Tile is one of the most versatile tiles available and works almost anywhere. Ceramic Subway Tile can be used as bathroom and kitchen backsplash tile, floor tile, shower tile including steam showers, fireplace tile, counter tile, and outdoor tile applications in non-freeze/thaw environments like pools, patios, hardscapes, and stair risers.
Tile Shown: Amalfi Coast in 3x6 // Design + Images: DIY Cartel
Today we’re focusing on backsplashes for the kitchen and bathroom in residential spaces.
Why Subway Tile Works for Backsplashes
Subway Tile is a true utilitarian tile. It’s why you still see it throughout the New York City subway system where millions of people pass through each day. Subway Tile is strong--a breaking strength of 393 lbs and scratch hardness of 6.0 mohs if you’re keeping score at home--beautiful and versatile.
Tile Shown: Seedling in 3x6 // Design: Interior Blooms Design Co. // Image: Emily Kennedy Photography
In the kitchen and bathroom, it’s no exception. Subway Tile stands up to high use, high moisture areas and looks great for years and years. And given the staying power of this design staple, you won’t be wondering what you were thinking 10 to 20 years down the road. Subway Tile’s appeal is as durable as the tile itself.
Subway Tile Patterns
Tile Shown: Flagstone in 3x6 // Design: Curio Design Studio // Image: Samantha Elizabeth Collin
Half Offset
The most common pattern you’ll see with Subway Tile is Half Offset. Also known as a running bond or brick pattern, the edges of the tile line up with the center of the tile in the row above and below it.
A bright white kitchen gets a frosty white backsplash with Subway Tile in Frost and matching white grout lines.
Tile Shown: Frost in 3x6 // Design: reBuilt Workshop // Image: Pepe Molina
Enhance the look of the classic offset pattern with a grout color that contrasts with the color of your tile. This backsplash in cool blue Moonshine uses black grout to make each tile pop.
Tile Shown: Moonshine in 3x6 // Design: Pepper Interiors // Image: Chad Jackson
A classic doesn’t have to be conventional. This offset Subway Tile backsplash uses bright color to add vibrance to the kitchen with a familiar pattern.
Tile Shown: Tuolumne Meadow in 3x6 // Design: Ellen Nystrom Design // Image: Liz Daly
If black Subway Tile is a bit too dark for your tastes, consider a dark blue like this Navy Blue backsplash with an offset pattern with light grout lines.
Tile Shown: Navy Blue in 3x6 // Design: Emerson Grace Design, Fink Architecture // Image: Vivian Johnson Photo
With a high variation glaze, a single color can have a range of personalities, adding dimension to a standard offset backsplash pattern.
Tile Shown: Amalfi Coast in 3x6 // Design + Images: DIY Cartel
Straight Set
For a more modern look, try Subway Tile with a straight set pattern. This pattern evokes simplicity, order, and symmetry, perfect for a minimalist mid-century or contemporary kitchen or bathroom.
This vertical straight set bathroom backsplash uses rich Rosemary tile with matching grout for a minimalist look in Mandy Moore’s bathroom.
Tile Shown: Rosemary in 3x6 //Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel, Emily Farnham Architecture // Image: Tessa Neustadt
This straight set backsplash gets creative with color-blocked courses of Subway Tile in Dawn, Sea Green Matte, and Sunflower.
Tile Shown: Dawn, Sea Green Matte, and Sunflower in 3x6 // Design + Image: Samantha Klein
Herringbone
Subway Tile is capable of a creative herringbone pattern on your backsplash. Rows of layered “V’s” lead the eye upward, giving the illusion of length and height to surfaces.
Framed by a full backsplash of horizontal offset Subway Tile in Aegean Sea, the space above the stove gets a special design touch with a herringbone pattern trimmed in flat liner trim.
Tile Shown: Aegean Sea in 3x6
Basketweave
Because Subway Tile has a 1:2 Width to Length ratio, it’s a perfect fit for a basketweave pattern backsplash. 2 subway tiles are arranged side by side horizontally to form a square, followed by another square of 2 tiles arranged vertically and so on. This creates a woven look like that of a basket or parquet wood floor.
This Tiki Blue kitchen backsplash gets even more tropical with an artistic basketweave pattern.
Tile Shown: Tiki Blue in 3x6 // Design: Lily Spindle Design // Image: Michele Thomas
Mix and Match
A subtle white Subway Tile backsplash plays a supporting role to the star of this backsplash, a stovetop square of Mini Star and Cross Tile in eye-catching Slate Blue.
Tile Shown: Calcite Gloss in 3x6 , Slate Blue in Star and Cross // Design: Sabrina Alfin Interiors, Darcy Tsung // Image: Dean Biriyini
This backsplash places Handpainted Tile from our Contemporary collection front and center above the stovetop and sink with our brightest white Subway Tile color, Calcite Gloss, filling out the counter space for a clean finishing touch.
Tile Shown: Calcite Gloss in 3x6 & Isosceles in Custom Motif // Design + Image: Jenny Nelson
Looking for more resources on designing the perfect backsplash? Check out our article on 6 Things to Consider When Choosing Kitchen Backsplash Tile or get connected to a dedicated Design Consultant for free design assistance.