Tile: 2x6 Pheasant Gloss | Design: Fish & Co Studio | Image: Molly Rose Photo
There’s something endlessly appealing about a glass subway tile backsplash. The luminosity of glass reflects a story of elegance and enduring charm, transforming your kitchen or bathroom into a space of artful sophistication.
Fireclay’s glass tiles are meticulously crafted out of Spokane, WA in our state-of-the-art Glass Factory, offering a diverse palette that would make any color-lover rejoice. Our glass is designed to enhance any space with its clean lines and light-reflecting qualities–and today we’re highlighting 14 modern backsplash ideas that illustrate the beauty of these glass subway tiles.
Sample Our Bestselling Glass Tile Colors
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Egret Gloss
Rosy Finch Matte
Flycatcher Matte
Sparrow Gloss
Falcon Matte
Carolina Wren Gloss
Great Blue Heron Matte
Answering FAQs
Before we get to the inspiration, we’re answering some common questions about glass subway tile backsplashes.
Is Glass Subway Tile Good For a Kitchen Backsplash?
Absolutely–glass subway tiles are a fantastic choice for backsplashes. Their reflective surface amplifies light, giving your space a brighter, more spacious feel. Plus, they’re a breeze to clean, making them as practical as they are beautiful.
How Durable is a Glass Tile Backsplash?
Glass tile backsplashes are remarkably durable. Our tiles are designed to withstand the heat and moisture common in kitchens and bathrooms, ensuring they remain as stunning as the day they were installed.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Glass Tile Backsplash?
The benefits are great: glass tile offers a luminous, reflective quality for unmatched aesthetic appeal, particularly in modern spaces, and with a stunning color palette from vibrant yellows to serene blues, the color possibilities are endless. Glass tile backsplashes are also easy to maintain; a simple wipe-down keeps your glass looking pristine.
Keep in mind that glass tile isn’t DIY-friendly–it requires a professional tile installer for perfect alignment and finishing. It can also be a bit pricer than other tile materials, but the value and enduring beauty they add are worth it in our opinion.
With those questions answered, let’s get to the design ideas.
1. Modern Pink Mosaic
Mamie Pink goes modern with a clean-lined stacked pattern of 2x4 Sheeted Glass Tile. Our Lark Matte glaze exudes a whisper of pink that sets this contemporary bathroom apart.
2. Retro-Inspired Red
Tile: 2x6 Pheasant Gloss | Design: Fish & Co Studio | Image: Molly Rose Photo
For a more grounded feel, rich red glass tile provides a solid, earthy backdrop with a retro vibe. We love how the glossy glass surface creates a luminous, prism-like effect that reflects light onto the wood accents in the bathroom.
3. Sunny & Sleek
Tile: 2x12 Chickadee Matte | Design: Happy House Place | Image: Kate Falconer
The backsplash of elongated buttery yellow glass subway tile in a stairstep pattern brings a cheerful energy to this space, reminiscent of a bright, sunny day.
4. Cool-Toned Herringbone
Glass is positively mesmerizing in a herringbone pattern, drawing the eye up and down the sleek diagonal lines of stone blue Blue Jay Matte in Jaclyn Johnson’s Euro Modern bathroom.
5. Matte & Gloss Blend
A subtle blend of glass finishes across the same plane will make you do a double-take, illustrated by this sleek matte backsplash sprinkled with gloss tiles in the same shade that elegantly catch the light.
6. Futuristic Pink
Tile: 3x12 Rosy Finch Matte | Design: Handsome Salt | Image: Jenny Siegwart
With crisp white grout lines and the perfect accents, our tonal pink subway tile creates a sophisticated futuristic look in this Handsome Salt-designed space.
7. Jewel Box Wainscot
Tile: 2x6 Oriole Gloss | Design: LaTonya Yvette | Image: Nina Barry | Installer: Dziewa Construction
Can’t get enough of your gorgeous glass? Consider expanding the backsplash to a full wainscot, as LaTonya Yvette did with Oriole Matte in the Mae House’s primary bathroom.
8. Transitional Edge
Tile: 3x12 Dove Matte | Design: Tara Felice Interiors | Image: Sarah Rossi
The soft look of our matte glass subway tiles fits seamlessly into transitional design, lending these spaces a subtle modern edge. In the kitchen above, Dove Matte gives off a dewy, barely-blue glow in a classic offset pattern.
9. Glass Tile Goes to Work
Tile: 2x12 Flycatcher Matte | Design + Image: SIN
If you still aren’t convinced that Glass Tile is incredibly durable, look no further than SIN Ceramics’ Brooklyn HQ–Flycatcher Matte clads the factory sink wall, adding beauty and functionality to this heavily utilitarian space.
10. Contemporary Kitchen
Tile: 3x12 Magpie Matte | Design + Image: Joy Street Design
Add a pop to your contemporary kitchen with vibrantly colored glass tile. In this space designed by Joy Street Design, electric blue Magpie Matte is the standout feature among neutral counters and cabinets.
11. Large Format Glass
Tile: 3x12 Rosy Finch Matte | Design: BOXI by Semihandmade | Image: Molly Rose Photo | Installer: BOXI by Semihandmade
Subway tile was once solely considered 3x6, but these days virtually any rectangular tile can be classified as subway tile–like our larger format 3x12. This size beautifully shows off the color and radiance of glass tiles with fewer grout lines creating a seamless, uniform backsplash.
12. Classic Elegance
Tile: 3x12 Sparrow Matte | Design + Image: Chase Daniel
Creamy white glass subway tiles offer a timeless look, creating a soft and sophisticated backdrop to kitchens and bathrooms alike. A vertically stacked pattern, shown in the bathroom above, gives this timeless tile an attractive modern edge.
13. Glossy Pink Pattern Play
Tile: 4x12 Rosy Finch Gloss | Design: Project M plus, Oh Joy | Image: Bethany Nauert
For a touch of whimsy in her daughters’ bathroom, Joy Cho of Oh Joy! chose soft pink glass subway tile in a fun stacked-stairstep pattern for a uniquely patterned backsplash.
14. Crisp & Clean Craftsman
Tile: 2x4 Egret Matte | Design: Ollie Pop Design | Image: Belu Photography, Ollie Pop Design
This glass tile backsplash’s petite subway pattern and matte white finish refreshingly anchor the kitchen’s contemporary upgrades and craftsman touches.
Go For Glass With Free Design Assistance
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