How to Use Subway Tile to Spruce Up a Kitchen
Ranging from classic to bold, subway tiles are a sure bet when it comes to outfitting your kitchen.
With so many options—colorful, classic white, matte, peel-and-stick—installing subway tile in a kitchen renovation has possibilities for every sensibility and skill level. Here are some of the many ways to use subway tile.
Keep It Classic
White subway tile is a classic for a reason. It was originally designed by George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge for the opening of New York's first subway station in 1904. The shiny, easy-to-clean tiles reflected light and were a hit among civilians, who began to install the 3-by-6-inch rectangles in their bathrooms and kitchens.
Shane Michael Pavonetti, an Austin-based architect and contractor, and his wife, Holly, built their eco-friendly home on a lean budget of $175,000. The cedar siding used on the exterior reappears throughout the house. Keen on recycling the wood, the couple added shelving to their kitchen as well.
French-born chef, TV personality, and pop-up wizard Ludo Lefebvre says of his kitchen, "My life is based around cooking 24/7‚ so making the kitchen the star of our house was really the only choice. Our previous kitchen was tiny‚ and with two small children it became almost dangerous at times: too many people‚ not enough space. I wanted an open area where family and friends could be part of the experience but also have breathing room."
Photo by Joe Schmelzer
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Bend Goods Lucy Counter Stool
Add some playful elegance to your kitchen with the Bend Goods Lucy Counter Stool. Featuring the same pattern as the best-selling Lucy Side Chair, this counter stool's base is several inches taller. It is made using galvanized iron wire that is bent and welded into place before being coated in one of several bright and shiny powder coat or metal plate finishes.
ShopGeamenti 18" x 18" Ceramic Field Tile
A defining feature of the Geamenti ceramic floor and wall tile is the union of polygons in a satin finish. The varying beige and gray tones of this geometric tile make a pleasing feature for any modern interior living space.
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In this exquisite, classically styled black and white kitchen, gleaming white marble countertops and cabinets are juxtaposed by a dramatic, gold-trimmed black oven and range hood. Two Bestlite Pendants from Gobi enhance the gold details throughout this kitchen, a favorite among black and white kitchens.
Photo by White Arrow
The kitchen in this family home in Sydney by Australian architects Bennett and Trimble enjoys morning light from two east-facing windows: one on the first level, and the other positioned up high near the roof’s northeastern corner. A KWC Eve faucet, Franke sink, and Miele appliances complement the elegant subway tile backsplash.
Set on a classic white subway tile? That's fine by rockstar interior designer Emily Henderson. In order to pick a white shade that's best for your kitchen, take note of its tone and glaze.
Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
With a client wish list including ample natural light, high ceilings, outdoor connection, and peak energy efficiency, Mowery Marsh Architects check off all the boxes and more. In the kitchen, oak floors, inset walnut cabinets, Fireclay subway tile, and Caesarstone countertops read more classic vibes, while the furnishings are modern counterpoints. The refrigerator and freezer columns are Thermador, and the wall sconces are by Cedar & Moss.
Photo by Haris Kenjar
For their DIY petite open kitchen, Kathrin and Brian Smirke designed the cabinets and had the boxes and doors made at a small cabinet shop in L.A. They also formed and poured the concrete countertops themselves and constructed the floating shelves with leftover clear pine and plywood.
Photo by We Are in Our Element
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Daltile RetroSpace Rectangle Wall Tile
Made from ceramic with a smooth ceramic visual. Low shade variation gives the tile a uniform appearance. Manufactured in Russia.
ShopMSI 3" x 6" Subway Wall Tile
This 3" x 6" subway tile is modern elegance done right. These beautiful crystallized glass backsplash tiles reflect light throughout a room, adding visual interest while providing a soothing backdrop. Photo courtesy of Build.com
ShopMSI 4" x 12" Subway Wall Tile - Glossy Visual
With the 4" x 12" glass wall tile, it's easy to add a splash of contemporary styling to your decor. This rectangular tile is constructed from durable, frost-resistant glass material and is suitable for installation on walls and countertops. The attractive combination of an unglazed, smooth finish, a high sheen, elegant shades and subtle variations in tone makes a perfect complement for a wide variety of design schemes. Photo courtesy of Build.com
ShopDesigned by local firm Hogg & Lamb, a Queensland cottage known as B&B Residence has been thoughtfully extended with a crisp, new facade to better connect to its subtropical setting. The owners' minimalist sensibilities informed the aesthetics, which have been guided by an elegant, bleached palette and stripped-back surfaces.
Courtesy of Christopher Frederick Jones
Perched high in the hills of Silver Lake, this Albert P. Martin–designed midcentury home has returned to the market following a recent renovation and expansion. Originally covered in colorful tile, the kitchen received a monochromatic upgrade with white quartz countertops and new state-of-the-art appliances.
Photo by Charmaine David
This kitchen in Austin, Texas, was designed by Royce Flournoy and expertly combines black, Shaker-style cabinets, white subway tiles, Carrera marble countertops, and wooden floors to create a balance between rustic warmth and industrial simplicity.
Opt for Dark Tiles
Black subway tiles add a dramatic, sophisticated edge to any kitchen.
The owners of this updated Tudor-style abode in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Eagle Rock, Amanda and William Hunter, are the design duo behind the William Hunter Collective, which rehabs homes. They reconfigured the 2,000-square-foot home to maximize space before tapping HGTV host and bestselling author Emily Henderson for the interior design. The resulting home blends traditional and modern design elements to create a "timeless and unique space." Handmade tile, soapstone counters, walnut wood, and steel make up the artfully styled kitchen.
Photo by Alex Zarour of Virtually Here Studios
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Staub Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven
Staub's innovative enamel coating takes cast-iron cooking to the next level with improved performance, style and durability. A heavy lid to seal in moisture paired with heat-retaining cast iron make this oven ideal for slow-cooking homemade chili or a hearty stew.
ShopEdgewood Made Round Walnut Wood Board
Practice the art of the serve. Our Walnut board is handmade in the U.S. and attention grabbing by way of its modern form and natural simplicity. Walnut is known for its fine grains and here that beauty shines through, while details like a hexagonal carved edge and handle are subtle but striking. Walnut is also appreciated for its density and resistance to shock. While this board is a definite presentation piece, it can also be used for cutting. Either way, it signals that the party starts now. Also available in Black Oxidized Walnut and Maple. Photo Courtesy of Unison
ShopFishtown Lokal is a newly launched six-room hotel in Philadelphia's hip and popular Fishtown neighborhood. The "Baller Jawn" is one of two two-bedroom bi-level apartments available in the six-room Fishtown Lokal. All of the lodgings embrace a clean, minimalist Scandinavian modern vibe. The kitchen cabinets were designed by True Hand Society and fabricated by Summus with leather cabinet pulls from Peg & Awl for an earthy feel.
Photo: Heidi's Bridge
Switch It Up and Go Vertical
This unconventional direction imitates the sparkling clean look of bathroom tile.
Frederick Tang Architecture renovated this Brooklyn brownstone with entertaining in mind. The new kitchen features a mix of IKEA and custom walnut shelving. The gray subway tile is from Nemo Tile.
Courtesy of David A. Land/OTTO
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Daltile Rittenhouse Square 6" x 3" Wall Tile
Made from ceramic with a semi-gloss tile visual. Eco friendly product that uses recycled materials. Low shade variation gives the tile a uniform appearance. Crafted in America. Photo Courtesy of Build.com
ShopKitchen Living: Kitchen Interiors for Contemporary Homes
The kitchen is the heart of the home—it's a place not just for cooking and creating, but also for gathering, learning, and experimenting. Drawing upon major and minor renovations for examples, Kitchen Living looks at the technology and trends that have pushed the kitchen beyond simply serving as a place for cooking.
ShopWhen tapped to redesign a darling cottage in Brisbane's Little Italy, the team at Cavill Architects was inspired by "architecture with veneration for the past." As a result, the newly remodeled dwelling now pays homage to the Italian migrant workers' housing that was a crucial part of the Australian city's post-war settlement. The open kitchen has a warm Mediterranean-like feel and overlooks the central garden.
Photo by David Chatfield
Bring In Some Color
Blue subway tile seems to be a popular choice for the kitchen, but we wouldn't mind having any color of the rainbow in our space.
A family's dream of living in a converted warehouse becomes a reality when Zen Architects successfully transforms a leaky warehouse from the 1960s into a bright and airy family home—without compromising on comfort or energy efficiency. Bright yellow subway tiles complement dark teal cabinets and colorful dishware.
Photo by Emma Cross
The updated kitchen of this circa-1969 Claude Oakland-designed Eichler has walnut-paneled cabinetry, quartz countertops, a turquoise tile backsplash, and a large center island with seating.
Photo by Open Homes Photography
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Vitra Nelson Ball Clock
The Ball Clock (1949) was the first of more than 150 clocks designed by George Nelson Associates for the Howard Miller Clock Company, which sold them from 1949 into the 1980s. Nelson Associates, first launched as a studio by George Nelson in 1947 in New York City, employed some of the most celebrated designers of the time, including Irving Harper, Don Ervin and Charles Pollock, all of whom contributed to the clocks. Until its closure in the mid-1980s, the company designed a range of products for many clients, including Herman Miller, Inc., which was established in 1923 by Howard Miller’s brother-in-law, D.J. De Pree. A bit of family history: De Pree also founded the Herman Miller Clock Company in 1926 but turned it over in 1937 to Howard, who renamed it. As for the identity of Herman Miller, he was Howard’s father and De Pree’s father-in-law. The Ball Clock appeared in the original Miller brochure as Model 4755. This is an authentic Nelson Clock, produced by Vitra Design Museum. Uses one AA battery (included). Made in Poland.
ShopDaltile Color Wave Glass Tile
Create a space that pops with personality and drama using the vibrant color offering, or bask in the radiance of the classic solid colors and coordinating blends. You’re sure to transform your bathroom, kitchen, or pool with Color Wave.
ShopFLOS Glo-Ball Pendant
As bright as the moon and nearly as round. The Flos Glo-Ball Pendant features a large sphere of hand-blown and acid-etched Opaline glass, which casts a vibrant glow all around a space. This luminous structure is held safely aloft by an adjustable steel suspension cable. Part of the Flos Glo-Ball collection, designed by Jasper Morrison.
ShopThe once dim, cramped kitchen in this 1963 Eichler in San Jose, California, now features luxe vinyl tiling, white slab fronts from Semihandmade, and a dual-pane window, courtesy of Cathie Hong Interiors.
Courtesy of Christy Q Photography
Developed by Lang Architecture, Hudson Woods is an eco-friendly, locally-sourced, 26-family community spread across 131 acres in the midst of the Hudson River Valley. In the kitchen of one of the cabins, dark-green subway tiles contrast with wood cabinetry and a marble-topped central island that was crafted from blackened steel and walnut.
Photo by Deborah DeGraffenreid
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Chemex Pour-Over Glass Coffee Maker With Wood Collar
Chuck Williams’ favorite method of brewing coffee, the Chemex coffeemaker is an elegant, one-piece vessel made of high quality, heat-resistant glass. This simple, reliable method of making coffee yields a full-flavored, clean-tasting brew using Chemex unbleached filter squares (sold separately).
ShopDaltile RetroSpace Ceramic Wall Tile
Reinvent mid-century modern styling with RetroSpace. The nostalgic effect of this wall tile dresses up your design with subtle character and color. Offered in three sizes, including subway tile, and a decorative geometric design.
ShopViking 30" Single Electric Wall Oven
The Built-In Electric 30" wide single oven combines professional cooking power with unique design and styling. A digital clock/timer provides time-of-day and numerous timed cooking functions. The self-cleaning electric ovens offer multiple conventional and convection settings including TruConvec™ cooking. Two Tru-Glide™ full extension oven racks ship standard in this oven. Photo courtesy of Build.com
ShopWhen Greg Steinberg and Alexandra Becket, designers and owners of ModOp Design, conceptualized the renovation of their 1939 home in the Moreno Highlands in Silver Lake, their goals were to open it up to the lake's spectacular views and to create a vibrant, modern aesthetic—and to do it all on a budget. To add natural vibrancy and variable depths of color, they used tile selections from Heath Ceramics' Modern Basics line for the kitchen backsplash.
Photo by Charmaine David
Mix It Up With Metals
Take a break from ceramic tiles with these metallic substitutes that are sure to make your kitchen renovation shine.
Designed to be energy efficient and to have a minimal impact on the environment, Fish Creek House by Archiblox was inspired by the principles of permaculture and the homeowners’ desire to be self-sufficient as they work towards minimizing their carbon footprint. The kitchen backsplash tiles are Perini tiles in jaca bronze, their metallic glaze reflecting the natural light.
Photo Courtesy of Archiblox
Take Tile Up the Wall—and Around the Room
Promote your subway tile from backsplash to wall covering by expanding to the ceiling or into the dining room.
Gardiner Architecture ensured that flexibility, practicality, comfort, and spaciousness were all present in Elm Street House, as well as natural connections to the oft-used backyard and the surrounding neighborhood. The kitchen units are composed of blackbutt veneer and have a matte finish; the counters are Caesarstone. A pass-through window at the sink connects to the yard and makes for easy entertaining.
Photo by Rory Gardiner
A young Vancouver family asked Falken Reynolds Interiors to convert their waterfront vacation home on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast into their primary residence. To facilitate livability for the foursome, an enlarged kitchen, complete with a large white island with wood hardware, was a major part of the renovation.
Photo: Ema Peter
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Tivoli Audio Model One Radio & Bluetooth Speaker
Sleek, minimalist and sharp-looking style defines this tabletop radio that uses Bluetooth technology to connect to your device for additional utility.
ShopTic Tac 12" x 12" Subway Wall Tiles
The premium quality self adhesive wall tile that is easy to install. Just peel and stick! The DIY peel and stick tile concept of Tic Tac Tiles is made possible through Tic Tac Technology™ that makes the product very easy to cut, stick and maintain. Tic Tac Tiles can be installed in minutes without any specialized tools over any sleek and clean surface. Tic Tac Tiles can be used to renovate kitchens (for example, back splashes) and bathrooms. Tic Tac Tiles are resistant to the humidity of bathrooms and the heat of ranges once it is installed. It can be removed by simply heating the surface with a hairdryer and peeling it off.
ShopKitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, 5-Quart
A smaller version of commercial-size models, this versatile stand mixer is designed with enough power and capacity to prepare large batches of cake batter or cookie dough without compromising your kitchen counter space. Expertly assembled by hand in Greenville, Ohio, home of KitchenAid since 1919.
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