3 Timeless White Bathroom Tile Trends Beyond Subway Tile

All-purpose and always flattering, there’s everything to love about white bathroom tile. Bright white tile is one of the best ways to make your bathroom feel more spacious–it’s a staple of interior design for good reason. No matter what your style is, you can count on white to go the distance.

Although we love the timeless look of subway tile, there’s so much more that white tile has to offer. We’ve rounded up three ways to work with white tile for your bathroom design–beyond classic offset subway–that will never fall out of favor (and if you can’t get enough, our Pinterest Board has even more!).

Hit The Right Angles with Herringbone

Herringbone tile has been around for centuries and remains a go-to pattern to this day. The woven veneer adds texture and visual interest, and white tile laid in a herringbone pattern is a beautifully understated way to elevate your bathroom.

Soft white ceramic wall tile in a herringbone pattern above the marble tile vanity exudes sophistication in Mandy Moore’s guest bathroom designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel.

Add floor-to-ceiling detail with a full shower surround of white herringbone–the pattern is classic and eye-catching, but the color is subtle enough that the walls don’t clash with the intricate Handpainted Tile in the bathroom below.

Play with different sizes of field tile to find the herringbone style that works in your space–whether you use it as a backsplash, in the shower, on the floor, or another application, white herringbone tile leaves a lasting impression.

See How Well White Tile Stacks Up

Offset may be the classic pattern for subway tile, but a straight-set pattern gives this tile a modern refresh. Also known as a stacked pattern, this style came into fashion with midcentury modern design and hasn’t stopped serving looks since. Use square tiles in a straight set for a timeless look, or rectangular tiles in either a horizontal or vertical stack.

Vertical white straight-set tile provides a distinctive modern touch to this tranquil bathroom around the shower and soaking tub.

If you’re going for a midcentury modern look, a stacked installation is practically a must. The bathroom below, located in a revitalized 1960 midcentury gem, used white sheeted square tiles to channel the original design.

We can’t get enough of this stunning neutral bathroom. The stacked white tiles epitomize luxe shower goals and the warm white pops when set against a veined marble accent.

A vertical straight set pattern can help your bathroom ceilings appear higher, making your bathroom look and feel more spacious. This installation featuring white Glass Tile evokes simplicity and symmetry, tenets of minimalist and Scandinavian design.

Don’t Be Afraid to Play with Pattern

Fireclay offers handmade tile patterns and shapes that will make the bathroom your favorite room in the house. If you’ve fallen in love with a tile pattern or shape but aren’t sure how to make it work, go white! White tile is an approachable way to introduce patterns and shapes into your bathroom for a timeless look with major visual interest.

Hexagon tile is a classic choice for a bathroom application. You simply can’t go wrong with this always-on-trend shape–it’s lovely as both floor and wall tile.

Looking for ceramic tiles that are a little more distinctive? A specialty shape, like our Ogee Drop, adds dimension and texture to an all-white tile installation.

We love Claire Thomas’s twist on classic subway tile in this warm bathroom, achieved by adding square white tiles in a random attractive pattern between 3x6 rectangle tiles.

Who says white can’t be bold? With just the right amount of color variation and luster, our Chaine Homme Tile in White Wash takes Emily Henderson's guest bathroom from standard to extra special.

There are lots of opportunities to pattern play with our field tile sizes in small or large formats, and this parquet floor is a perfect example.

The shower below showcases another unexpected way to play with our field tile, using a unique yet timeless horizontal-to-vertical offset pattern that flows through the built-in niche.

Our Star and Cross Tile is another classic shape that makes any space shine with a hint of Moroccan flair. Perfect for bathroom floors or walls, this pattern is just as dynamic in white as it is in one of our bright glazes.

A beautiful way to keep your space classic without reaching for subway tile is using square tile. The Brownstone Boys demonstrated this timeless style while paying homage to the history of their Brooklyn brownstone.