Why We Love Subway Tile | Bedrosians Tile & Stone
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Why We Love Subway Tile

By Bedrosians Tile & Stone | 11/17/2017

Subway tile earned its name back in the early 1900s when the New York City Subway was unveiled. White 3”x6” ceramic tiles were used on the walls create a clean look and but also to reflect light within this new subterranean transit system.

Subway tile lines the walls of New York's old City Hall subway station, which opened in 1904
Subway tile lines the walls of New York's old City Hall subway station, which opened in 1904. (Image credit: The Library of Congress, via Old Town Home)

The design was simple and because of its crisp, spic & span feel, this look appealed to interior designers of the day and they started using it in homes across America.

Modern Day Appeal

Today, subway tile remains a classic style. The traditional white is still very popular, but designers of the modern era have put their own spin on it and now it’s available in multiple materials, sizes and colors with so many new ways to set it. Below we've chosen the traditional 3"x6" white subway and used grey grout to make the offset pattern stand out.

Modern Kitchen
Modern day kitchen using our Traditions 3"x6" Ice White subway tile.

Explore all the different designs for subway tile in kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces. From the standard 3"x6" size to large scale 8"x24" options, these versatile tiles are now available in ceramic, porcelain, stone, glass and even metal!

Ceramic and Porcelain

Provincetown Provincetown 2.5"x9" in Dolphin Grey Zenith Zenith 2.5"x9" in Tide Uptown Uptown 2.5"x9.5" in White
Brooklyn Brooklyn 4"x10" in Statuario Winter Winter 8"x24" in Blanco Urbanity Urbanity 2.5"x10" in Exposed
Zenith Zenith 2.5"x9" in Moon Provincetown Provincetown 4"x16" in Porch White Grace Grace 4"x12" in Grigio

Glass

Imperial Imperial 2.5"x6" Beveled in Princess Hamptons Hamptons 3"x6" in Message in a Bottle Manhattan Manhattan 2"x8" in Coast

Stone

Emperador Dark Emperador Dark 3"x6" marble Amber Gold Amber Gold 3"x6" Slate Calacatta Oro Calacatta Oro 3"x6" marble

Metal

Acadia Acadia 2"x6" copper mosaic in Birch Copper

Which tile pattern is right for YOU?

Because of its rectangular shape, you will find several attractive laying patterns to fit your style and enhance your space.

Half Offset Half Offset
Stacked Horizontal Stacked Horizontal
Stacked Vertical Stacked Vertical
Herringbone Option 1 Herringbone Option 1
Herringbone Option 2 Herringbone Option 2
Herringbone Option 3 Herringbone Option 3
Frame Brickwork Vertical
Darcy Corridor Offset Horizontal
Snow Corridor Horizontal
Fog Diagonal
Smoke Basketweave
Charcoal Basketweave Vertical

Enduring Favorite

No matter what size, material, color or setting pattern you choose, your final project will have lasting appeal and transform your kitchen or bathroom into a charming, timeless space. View more of our subway options.