Subway tile has been a staple of home design way before its spike in usage during recent the farmhouse trend obsession. Dating back to 1904, the iconic 3″ x 6″ rectangles were created by designers George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge for New York's first-ever subway station (hence the name). Funny enough, New York's notoriously grimy subway stations were the perfect place to add the easy-to-clean sparkling white tiles. Now, over one hundred years later, subway tile is in the hall of fame for home renovations, still popping up everywhere from designer bathrooms to kitchens. The qualities that made it so well-suited to train stations—its durability, budget-friendly price, and user-friendly, versatile aesthetic—quickly earned it status as a go-to for designers. But after 118 years, we can't help but wonder—is white subway tile destined to remain a designer go-to? Or is it time to move on to another tile trend? We went straight to the experts—designers—to ask if the transportation-hub tile is on an express train to fame or about to be derailed. Here's what they said.
White Subway Tile Is A Bona Fide Classic
In the pro-subway-tile camp, Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors says, "Let’s be clear, as long as subway tile can be purchased for $3.99 a sq/ft—it will continue to be a classic. The economics are just too good for homeowners, especially when planning out secondary spaces like kids' and guest bathrooms."
Agreeing with this sentiment, Shannon Eddings of Shannon Eddings Interiors adds, "It's easy to clean so that is a helpful selling point for our busy clients with pets or kids. I also like that with various trim options, we are able to make it feel custom and different in most projects."
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White Subway Tile Is Beyond Basic
The beloved tile does have a few detractors. Take Caren Rideau, founder of the Kitchen Design Group, who believes tile should make a splash. "White subway tile is overused," she says, getting specific. "I love color! Even if you don't want patterns, you choose a tile that is completely blue, green, or pink—it's an opportunity to do something else."
Even fans of subway tiles are dismayed about how common it is, making it almost a victim of its own success. "There are so many 'flips' and spec homes feature it prominently throughout the houses so it can be overseen and overused," says Eddings. For this reason, "We use a lot of zellige tile or fired clay tile with interesting glazes in our projects these days."
You Can Make Subway Tile Interesting Again
If you're drawn to the cost and ease of subway tile—but the white option feels a little too safe, here's what designers are doing to keep America's favorite tile relevant. Melissa Urdang Bodie of Melissa + Miller Interiors says, "There are a myriad of ways to lay, grout, and design with subway tiles. For our latest project, we stacked them vertically to create interest and a feeling of height." Eddings adds, "We occasionally use marble trim with subway tile to amp up the glam or we use colored trim to make it playful and unique."
Tilemakers themselves are thinking up ways to refresh the expected subway tile, manufacturing it in new sizes of rectangles. "I love the new lengths and shapes that are evolving in the marketplace," Macuga says. "My favorite subway size is a 2x8, because its shape gives even more options for more elegant, modern patterns like the straight herringbone or basketweave."
No matter what the backsplash is, subway tiles are available in a range of colors that fit in with your reno plans. If you like neutrals, skip the stark white tiles and choose options with an ombre or marble effect. You can also find clever ways to install them for a modern look, especially if you choose a bold color!
Next Wave designer Hilary Matt explains, "I choose white subway tiles when it works with the design of the space, but I love playing around with the style in new ways, whether it is doing it in a color that isn't white or laying it in an unusual pattern. I have also been using oversized slab tiles—they give such a clean and luxurious look."
What Is the Next Tile Trend?
If you're ready to think outside the subway tile box (or, rather, rectangle), here's what designers say is coming up next. Avery Cox of Avery Cox Design, who loves a classic subway tile, can be found using mosaics and penny tiles as well. "If I’m really going for something special I’ll select a hand-painted or marbled tile from somewhere like Balineum," she explains. An artist's touch and customizations are having a huge moment right now, whether it's in your bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom!
For DIY pros, Eddings suggests utilizing different sizes of what the typical subway tile design looks like and creating stripes or checkerboard patterns with them. It’s an inexpensive but fun way to create a truly custom look. "A unique pattern of tile is something I’m noticing at a heightened rate in the design industry and drawn to in my own work," Eddings says.
If you can't commit to patterns or colors, Rideau suggests choosing an unusual texture of a neutral hue. Zellige tile is becoming a crowd favorite as it's natural, glazed, and brings a lot of depth without being color specific.
The final verdict? Subway tile isn't going anywhere! But think twice about committing to white subway tile in every bathroom, as there are a plethora of styles and finishes available. "People aren't as scared to use color anymore. I've also seen a lot of tile being used that isn't perfect–either they are handmade or patinated pieces that add texture when used," says Matt. In other words, subway tile is classic, but creativity is, too.
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