11 Timeless Subway Tile Bathroom Design Ideas

Sleek, chic and effortlessly unique, subway tiles transcend trends. Read on for 11 stunning subway tile ideas to create a stylish bathroom you’ll love for years and years.

1. Keep it straight (stack)

The orderly rows of a vertical straight stack make for a design that’s neat in every sense of the word. The handmade-look Hackney Dark Blue tile shown here features rich teal and blue shades with a patina, giving this backsplash a sense of movement and expressive visual interest.

2. Make it Cool & Modern with a Vertical Offset

A vertical layout gives your space the illusion of height–perfect for a low-ceilinged shower. This chic space, designed by Alison Victoria, features her Tile Shop-exclusive Brick x Brick tile in Petal (this tile is no longer available; achieve a similar look with Color Market Rosa Cha tile) in a brick-lay layout turned 90 degrees. The beautifully textured subway tile is softened by the pretty pastel color, for a look that’s slightly edgy, yet still feminine.

Shop our exclusive Alison Victoria designer collection for more of the HGTV star’s signature city chic styles.

3. Mix Glossy & Matte for a Design that Shines

The band of glossy tile on this matte bathroom wall captures the light for an elegant design that adds brightness to the space. We love how the Coco Canvas Glossy tile are arranged in a vertical stripe, but you can achieve a similar look with alternating bands of glossy and matte without changing the tiles’ direction.

4. Black & White: a Classically Chic Combo

Black and white is a chic and timeless neutral pairing. This shower features the Tribeca Basalt and the Tribeca Gypsum White tiles, color-blocked walls paired with the black-and-white patterned Summerland by Jeffery Alan Marks in Toro tile. The basic color pairing is easily updated with colored accessories as trends (or your mood) change.

If you love this chic, coastal-inspired design, shop our exclusive Jeffrey Alan Marks designer collection.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Cool & Calming Coastal Chic Bathroom Tile Ideas

5. Go Both Ways With a Grid Stack

Add interest to your design by mixing horizontal and vertical tiles in a grid stack. This elegant modern bathroom features the Look Avio tile in alternating stacks of four. The orderly rows create movement that draws the eye across the wall, and we love how the contrasting white grout joints are used to further accentuate this design.

6. White Subway Tile Bathroom Ideas

Just like the original pieces designed for the New York subway system, these rectangular white tiles give off the appearance of modern cleanliness. Whether you install them in a traditional brick lay or a chic herringbone–like the one used in this modern farmhouse bathroom designed by I SPY DIY–you can’t go wrong with this timeless and versatile tile.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Modern Farmhouse

7. Retro Subway Tile Ideas

The addition of trim pieces takes this subway tile backsplash from ordinary to extraordinary. The Bianco Gloss REL tile provides a finishing piece with a rounded corner along one side, while the Black High Pencil Liner is a sophisticated detail that adds to this space’s retro glam appeal.

MORE TO EXPLORE | How to Elevate Your Space With Trim

8. Large Subway Tile Ideas

A large subway tile, like the white beveled tile shown here, will help create the illusion of a larger space. (Note: This 6″ x 16″ white beveled style is no longer available. For a similar look, try the 4″ x 12″ Signature Bianco Gloss Bevel.) The recessed edges of beveled tiles add dimension through the play of shadows and light, emphasizing the scale of these extra-large rectangular tiles.

9. Embrace “Quiet Luxury” with Handmade-Look Tile

The soft, uneven surface of the Argile Matte White subway tile, used in this serene bathroom designed by Nikki Chu, exemplifies the hand-crafted opulence of the quiet luxury trend. Discover more ways to integrate quiet luxury into your tile design in this comprehensive guide.

MORE TO EXPLORE | Tile for Every Style: Quiet Luxury

10. Pair Subway with Large-Format Tile

You don’t need to commit your entire bathroom space to a single wall tile. The versatility of subway tile makes it an excellent complement to a large format tile, like the Invisible Grey marble-look tile used for the shower wall in this modern bathroom. The Splendor Blanco handmade-look tile matches the white in the larger tile, allowing for the bold veining to be the standout.

11. Small Bathroom Subway Tile Ideas

Make a big impact in a small space with a subway tile floor design. This powder room designed by Coco & Jack, features the Claros Silver tumbled travertine subway tile for a rustic, brick look. Though this tile looks rough, it is actually quite smooth underfoot, adding character to this modern farmhouse space without skipping on the comfort.

Inspired to transform your bathroom with this classic tile shape? Shop our full selection of subway tiles and discover more layout ideas in this helpful guide. Found a tile you love? Order a sample to see it in your space, or use our Tile Visualizer to help envision your project.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hi! I'm Eimile, Marketing copywriter. What I love about working at The Tile Shop is getting to see all the new design trends. I especially love bright, bold colors and retro designs. When I'm not writing copy, I'm usually reading a novel or taking a walk around my Minneapolis neighborhood.

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