We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Similar to a grid layout, this pattern stacks the tile in rows and columns, creating straight continuous lines across the composition both horizontally and vertically. Herringbone subway tile consists of tiles set on 45-degree angles with their joints offset, hitting the centers of adjoining tiles. TileBar Tip: Even if you are going with the traditional subway layout, you can still have a bit of fun. But I think its going to be a much more toned-down look. Exit Strategies: How to Buy or Sell a Retiring Agents Business (Part 2). It has an illusion similar to vertical stripes that creates the appearance of height making it well suited for low-ceilinged or enclosed areas. For glass tile, or colored/textured tiles, those look good both staggered and stacked. At HomeLight, our vision is a world where every real estate transaction is simple, certain, and satisfying. Should I just stagger the tile since its more commonly seen Will stacking distract from a simple, clean look? How to Sell Buyers On Your Outdoor Oasis, When to Sell Your House: 8 Questions to Ask, Christopher Grand La Farge and George C. Heins, trendy metropolitan restaurants and cafes, $15 per square foot or as little as $0.15 per square foot, Type of tile (e.g., glass costs more than ceramic). We are in the midst of updating our kitchen and this is how our new tile backsplash lookS. The design options with subway tiles are endless! Depending on scale, this tile can work in a variety of spaces both on walls as well as floors. Love this look? Work this idea into your decor with inspiration from Sunny Circle Studio, who kept this bathroom full of light with a herringbone tile wall in a stairstep pattern! You can find other finishes and colors in our Recycled Glass mosaic tile collection. While we dont recommend you go crazy with colors or placement (these tiles belong in wet areas, end of story), you can play with patterns and material for a fresh take on this timeless classic: The classic subway tile pattern arranges tiles in staggered horizontal rows. Easy to install, I did it myself. New kitchen is what Id call transitionala blend of traditional and modern/contemporary stylingsimple white cabinets (think Shaker, but not really), navy island, clean lines, stainless appliances, brushed chrome contemporary kitchen faucet, simple brushed chrome cabinet hardware, very contemporary stainless/glass hood vent. This style of tile can be as traditional or as modern as you want it to be, depending on how you style your accent details and other building materials! Striking in its simplicity, this 90-degree herringbone pattern can mirror a bathroom or kitchen's straight lines, while bringing a sense of movement that softens a room's hard surfaces. Thankfully, there are several options for those looking to jazz it up, so the tile doesnt look quite so, shall we say, pedestrian? While most tiling compositions emphasize horizontal lines and layouts, this unique pattern breaks the mold. Am I overthinking it? You can use the herringbone pattern to span the entirety of the backsplash or keep it in smaller sections such as behind the sink or stove. Granite is white with gray veining and small, deep burgundy/rust flecks (Its called River White.) There are times I tend to be rigid and always choose the most geometric/linear/modern option available but I think inspired designers know when to choose hygge elements. See how a tone-on-tone grout with our Grey Limestone Waves Etched Subway Tile reduces the effect of the tile pattern and creates the illusion of larger tiles. This pattern is simple to lay out and requires fewer complicated tile cuts than other patterns. The resulting subway tile pattern evokes the fish scales for which it was named (it's also sometimes called a chevron pattern). If youre feeling extra bold, a herringbone pattern is a great way to cover an entire wall for a visually stunning aesthetic! Old house was from 1918 and I did running bond (staggered.) For wall-spanning applications, choose large individual white subway tiles (found in 3x6-inch, 4x8-inch, and 6x12-inch forms), and use white or light grout to prevent the tiled walls from appearing too fussy. It will never go out of style, but can add a lot of personality if you shake it up and have some fun with patterns! This is one of the subway tile patterns that creates a pleasing linear look! Empty content. Stardust Blue 2X8 Glass Mosaic Tile subway tiles displayed in a classic running bond pattern is one way to add a timeless look to your bathroom with modern materials! Well start with the simplest of all patterns: the straight pattern, a.k.a the stack bond. Add a little contrast with an inset border, even in a different material. 10 Tips to Avoid a Low Valuation, Does a Patio Increase Home Value? Sharon Brandwein is a writer specializing in parenting, commerce, and content marketing. Another way to do this is using multiple colors and textures in the same subway pattern to give your walls a modern and unexpected look! Noa is a true artist, both visually and with the written word. After a century of covering NYC subway stations, white subway tile, this clean, durable, and affordable tile has become a Pinterest-worthy design staple for kitchens, bathrooms, and showers everywhere. White subway tile is always a popular choice for home dcor but now the classic format also has a variety of new versions and iterations different sizes, a range of materials such as marble and glass, and many different finishes, from high gloss to matte. Herringbone: the most challenging to install but the one with tons of visual interest! Subway tiles are more than just a hygienic solution these days theyre an opportunity to style your floor, wall, or backsplash in unexpected ways and create a unique home that reflects your style! Turn subway tiles vertically to construct an unconventional composition. Work this idea into your decor with inspiration from, that uses a basketweave or crosshatch pattern with white tile and pairs it with darker contrasting grout for a little bit of contrast! Our Recycled Glass Subway Mosaic Tile In Grey Wood Color looks just as good lain vertically as it does horizontally! (Online research, yesin person, not so much.) A mix of our La Riviera ceramic tiles gives this modern pastel bathroom a subtle rainbow effect - the copper accents make it even more creative! So if you want to make a statement with the backsplash by all means stack them. Frequently Asked Questions about Subway Tile Patterns -, If you prefer to minimize the contrast between your tiles, try to match your grout to the material as closely as possible. This subway tile layout throws all the patterns out the window and creates something unique and modern! The double basket-weave layout offers a modern take on an old favorite when it's crafted from white subway tile and forgoes the colored tiles that are often included to emphasize the look. You can create a modern monochrome kitchen that makes a stunning statement with Mallorca Black 2.5x8 tiles. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled. Q. Once you pick your overall aesthetic, it will be easier to decide on choices for materials, colors, and your ideal layout! Want to step up your subway tile design even more? There you have it! As a hygienic design solution for the subways (or the filthy, rat-filled underground holes they defined), the first subway tile was born! OP, look at area under window, for example. While subway tile is a safe bet for resale, homeowners with a penchant for flair may find this style too predictable for their taste. In 1904, the two men (or design geniuses as we like to call them) debuted their answer: 36 glazed white ceramic tiles with a high gloss finish. Im doing something unusual here! sort of way. For this tile to look more elegant, keep in mind that slightly longer tiles work the best! Should subway tiles be staggered and how do you stagger them? I visualize a simple, crisp, clean look, Im thinking I might like to horizontally stack the tiles rather than stagger them, as is more traditional. A transitional style kitchen featured in HGTV Designer of the Year Awards designed with white subway tiles like our Glacier Pure White 8X16 Polished Glass Tile! Generally, the glazed ceramic tiles are white and measure twice as wide as they are tall, but subway tile is readily available in a variety of sizes and materials. TileBar Tip: A vertically stacked or staggered composition is especially recommended for spaces with relatively low ceilings. Ive seen more stacked subway tile in Europe than Ive seen here at home. lay subway tiles with design inspiration to help you create designs that will look uniquely yours! The stacked bond pattern is one of the easiest subway tile treatments to install. Back then, we bet no one knew that these rectangle tiles were about to become more than just public transport decor! Because it employs a readily available tile size and shape, it's also a cost-effective way to fashion high-impact walls. The cabinets will be painted white and the island will be navy so you might want to zoom in on backsplash. Copyright 2020 The TileBar. With subway tile, it is easier to create a double or triple basketweave, using multiples of vertical and horizontal tiles, making it easy to plan and install. This widely popular subway tile pattern is always in fashion for kitchen tile backsplashes, showers, bathroom walls, and bathroom wainscoating. The minimalist pattern gives rooms an unexpectedly contemporary edge and an orderly look that perfectly suits transitional and modern designs. Timeless, elegant, and fun, the herringbone pattern has long been used to jazz up standard rectangular tile and is making its latest mark with white subway tile. I think staggered could add something like that for you. Feedback welcome! Opt for a grout similar in color to the tiles to create a low-contrast canvas that allows other features to be highlighted. In contrast, homeowners who dont plan to sell for the next 20 to 30 years can go bold and choose tile designs sheerly based on personal taste. Jessica Bennett is the digital assistant home editor at Better Homes & Gardens. Id love to see a photo of the stacked look. I have done both. You can also consider running your tiles vertically it may get you around problem areas. For a futuristic vibe in an ultra-modern space, how about combining stainless steel inserts with your subway tiles? Prior to graduation, she was inducted into the Kappa Tau Alpha honor society, which recognizes academic excellence in the field of journalism. For example the chunky sweater weave pattern in a rug or blanket when used in a modern room. A great primer on the types of subway tile patterns you can incorporate into your home to create a personal touch with a classic design! Tile is longer than traditional subway tileI think its 3x10. The most common way of laying out a herringbone pattern is at a 45-degree angle to the floor, to create a horizontal zigzag pattern. Thanks~. Therefore, we promote stricteditorial integrity in each of our posts. The reflective properties of glass will make your room look bigger, brighter, and all-around more divine. Artist's Drawing of the City Hall Subway Station in New York. The symmetrical layout presents a cohesive look that sets a serene stage for busy environments. With nearly five years of combined experience in digital and magazine journalism, she has contributed over 800 articles for BHG.com to date, and her writing on interior design and decorating has been featured in 16 national print magazines, including Do It Yourself, Country Home, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, Secrets of Getting Organized, and more. With gazillions of colors, finishes, and patterns, the design possibilities with subway tiles are absolutely endless! Combining the pattern on our Wooden Beige Wave Etched Subway Marble Tile with a herringbone layout is a great way to create movement and flow on your wall! Subway tiles are more than just a hygienic solution these days theyre an opportunity to style your floor, wall, or backsplash in unexpected ways and create a unique home that reflects your style! In fact, rectangle tiles soon captured the publics imagination and made their way into the bathrooms and kitchens of American homes, as well as butcher shops, bakeries, and other kinds of places youd want to be especially clean! While running this tile pattern horizontally will emphasize the width of the space, vertical installations emphasize the height. In the late 20s and 30s, homeowners replaced white subway tiles with colorful variations suiting Art Deco style (pink, lavender, and burgundy were all the rage). 10 Minimalist Kitchens with Stunning Modern Style, 46 Beautiful Kitchen Backsplash Ideas for Every Style, 21 Favorite Bathroom Backsplash Ideas for Every Style and Budget, 9 Unexpected Backsplash Ideas That Aren't Just for Your Kitchen, How to Tile a Shower or Tub Surround to Spruce Up Your Bathroom, 24 French-Inspired Kitchens With Timeless Style, 28 Neutral Bathroom Ideas That Are Far From Boring, 32 Beautiful Black-and-White Bathroom Ideas, Dramatic Budget Kitchen Remodeling Ideas You Can Achieve With Less Than $2,000, 21 Granite Kitchen Countertop Ideas for a Perfect Cooking Space, 13 Small Galley Kitchen Ideas That Work for Little Layouts, Make a Small Kitchen Look Larger with These Clever Design Tricks, 24 Low-Cost Bathroom Updates That Won't Drain Your Savings, Small Bathroom Remodels That Showcase Stylish, Budget-Friendly Ideas, 25 Winning Kitchen Color Schemes for a Look You'll Love Forever. Subway tiles laid in a classic running bond pattern (also called the offset pattern) are staggered by centering the end of each tile with the centerline of the tile above and below (this is called a 50-percent offset). This pattern creates visual interest and draws the eye up, elongating small spaces. This grid style pattern may be the most basic, but that doesnt mean its out of style! Try using a unique surface finish, a subtle pattern, or even switch up the grout color to mix it up and add a unique focal point to your overall design. Her remodeling topics have included choosing the best wooden flooring and tiling to create a cohesive, beautiful space. If you're feeling overwhelmed by choice and don't know where to start when it comes to tiles, layouts, and grout colors, take a deep breath. Youre most likely to see subway tile herringbone patterns on a kitchen backsplash. My takefollow the directions like you did and its not that different. This stair-stepped appearance with sharp corners still retains a zigzag feel, but with a crisp edge that makes any space look incredibly modern! Subway tiles have come a long way since the turn of the nineteenth century, making endless patterns you can create using subway tile! Surprisingly, one of the trendiest trends in home decor emerged from the deep recesses of NYC subways. History lesson aside, there's a reason why subway tile is still around: its clean, classic and elegant. Looks nice, @harding! She has over five years' experience discussing all-things remodeling, color designs, and flooring ideas to help readers make the best design choices. I personally epoxy grouted a shower. My friend did a stacked subway in her new kitchen and it looks great. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. You can recreate the look and feel of this serene bathroom with our La Lavanda tile for a cloudy blue palette with a hint of sheen! I would definitely ask first and find out where they will end up having to cut tiles and how. According to HomeAdvisor, subway tile can cost as much as $15 per square foot or as little as $0.15 per square foot, averaging out somewhere around $7 to $13 per square foot. It is a pain to do though. You will end up with a long sliver there. Have not resealed and grout still looks new 7 years later. A unique variation of the horizontal stacked bond pattern, this high-gloss backsplash mixes in colored subway tiles to create a striped effect, heightening interest and making the room appear taller. Incorporating a basketweave pattern with subway tiles may be a small layout tweak, but arranging tiles in two-by-two grids lends a lovely pattern that is totally unexpected! While basketweave is a repeating pattern, the combination of vertical and horizontal lines creates a seemingly irregular design, resulting in an eye-catching and dynamic visual. Style-wise, subway tiles boasted the added benefit of effectively bouncing light to brighten dark tunnels destined never to see the light of day. The diagonal pattern will also help to expand the room while keeping the same classic look. Also adding that stacked to me gives a modern monolithic look to a space, which works well on a large rectangular wall (like a shower) but not so much on a small wide narrow space with multiple height and length variances like a backsplash where many tiles will end up getting cut, detracting from the monolithic look. A stark contrast to their namesake, subway tiles are classic, clean, light, and bright. You can also consider running your tiles vertically it may get you around problem areas. HomeLight, Inc. 100 1st Street, Suite 2600, San Francisco, CA 94105. Elongated subway tiles create a uniquely elegant design, breaking away from the traditional subway size while still taking advantage of its versatility. But there is one easy way to tweak the classic without going too far and keeping the simple color to anchor your space playing with patterns. Tile is a pale gray with matching grout. All Rights Reserved. (FWIW, tile guy describes it as a small job and says hed stack if it was his own kitchen. Given that subway tiles have remained a ubiquitous staple in residential design for the last century, it begs the question: Are subway tiles out of style? For example, applying them in unexpected patterns such as vertically, instead of horizontally, and stacked instead of staggered., Top real estate agent Melanie Giglio agrees: I think subway tile will always be here. Because this pattern uses white and colored tiles of a similar size, some vertical tiles will require cutting to ensure they properly align with the height of adjacent horizontal tiles. The result is clean while adding a fun and surprising twist to the overall design. Going light and airy with our Mallorca White ceramic tile below is a great way to lengthen a smaller space with a horizontal stack pattern. Thanks my husband doesnt . Tile trends shifted throughout the second half of the century, though the square tile shape and colored finish continually trumped the 36 white subway tile. There are two kinds of stacked patterns and both are making waves in interiors at the moment - the vertical stacked bond and the horizontal stacked bond! She currently resides in Brooklyn, NY where she cooks dishes from her native Israel and obsesses over pop culture while knitting on the subway. Thanks to the pattern's prominent peaks and valleys, the tile treatment draws the eye up, down, and around a room's perimeter. Narrow spaces between these tiles are filled with dark grout to subtly define the dimensional pattern. With running bond subway tile, the joints are offset and centered in the middle of all adjoining tiles. Here are some factors that determine the final cost to add subway tile to your home: So there you have it, folks, the subway tile isnt giving up its seat at the table any time soon. The glazed ceramic finish of these beautiful tiles adds a soothing, iridescent shines! To create the pattern, simply stack the tile in a grid or an offset with the longer side parallel to the wall instead of the floor. It was not as bad as it is portrayed. See how a tone-on-tone grout with our, Glacier Pure White 8X16 Polished Glass Tile, Recycled Glass Subway Mosaic Tile In Grey Wood Color, Wooden Beige Wave Etched Subway Marble Tile, Glacier Ocean Blue 3" x 6" Polished Glass Tile, glazed ceramic finish of these beautiful tiles. With this duality, the subway tile was effortlessly incorporated into farmhouse design, the lived-in country style popularized by HGTV Fixer Upper star Joanna Gaines. The vertical lines will elongate the space, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling, especially when used in bathrooms or showers. Get the clean, classic feel of subway tile with a fresh modern feel by laying subway tiles in a vertical stack instead of the standard horizontal placement. For a tile pattern like the running bond, you can go with the traditional 50% offset, aka the brick look, or consider a more contemporary one-third offset. Definitely more contemporary. designed with white subway tiles like our, If youre wondering how much you can play around with a bunch of simple rectangles, here are some of the best ways to. Its much easier to care for in a kitchen than traditional grout. Subway tiles have come a long way since the turn of the nineteenth century, making endless patterns you can create using subway tile! Wondering if any of my CC consultants have stacked their tile and if they like it? Laying subway tile in a geometric pattern with two horizontal tiles next to two vertical tiles gives this classic tile a bold, artistic twist. You can create a herringbone pattern by installing tiles in V shapes at alternating 45-degree angles. In addition, you dont have to stick to the classic brick format to create a herringbone pattern any rectangular tile will due. Either way, a herringbone pattern is the perfect opportunity to add a little spice to your home! The magic of this classic design lies in its simplicity. Tile treatments rendered in a classic running bond pattern, which takes its cue from conventional brickwork, add floor-to-ceiling appeal in kitchens and bathrooms alike. Chances are, youll need to update the kitchen or bathroom again to align with whats trending during the time you sell. You can see the comparison in our diagram below! The overall effect can hinge on how you arrange and install the subway tile. Like many of the other queries on this post, the answer really is its up to you! You can also shake up this classic pattern with a little twist - all you do is to rotate it at a 45-degree angle! While the most traditional herringbone pattern has the tiles lie in a 45 degree angle, aligning the pattern so that it lies at a 90 degree angle can create a whole new look. What well continue to see is creative applications or versions of the subway tile. Due to their unfussy stair-stepped appearance, herringbone subway tile patterns offer the perfect backdrop for traditional-style or vintage-inspired kitchens and bathrooms. Dont think about resale value, the next person may want something totally different anyway. You can also jazz up the classic subway tile pattern by choosing a colored grout. Please select category to preview, Creative Subway Tile Patterns and Interior Design Ideas. Simple but effective, a vertical layout, stacked or staggered, is a modern and playful way to layout subway tile. Get free, objective, performance-based recommendations for top real estate agents in your area. Neither house was plumb, and it was not a problem in either case. Regarding hygiene a prized value in the Victorian era subway tiles were the perfect material since they are easy to clean and stain-resistant. Find top real estate agents in these similar cities, HomeLight has an A+ rating with the Today, the subway tile is still in style, with its simple sophistication almost guaranteeing the trends longevity. Stacking looks dated and clinical, imo. Park Hill White 36 Polished Porcelain Tile, Carolina Cloud 220 Polished Ceramic Wall Tile. Wed love to hear in the comments! If you want the tile job to look finished and tailored, dont forget to use trim pieces! For a traditional ceramic running bond looks better especially for white tiles. Love this look? Will My House Appraise for Its Selling Price? Created by designers George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge, glossy white rectangle tiles measuring 3-by-6-inches were created to decorate surfaces that could be easily cleaned, but also feel familiar, safe and friendly to city-dwellers using underground transit for the first time. A. Good luck! Trust your gut on this. Im feeling unsure about it and must admit I havent seen this done in many kitchens. Or you can choose a grout color that will pop out your tiles with a graphic statement and make your subway tile feel extra special. Header Image Source: (Callum Hill / Unsplash). This style has made a major comeback in interior trends thanks to the renewed focus on simplicity and minimalist style. Slightly more intricate than the other patterns, a basketweave pattern is created with interlocking tiles that mimic a woven pattern. The tile tub surround was a fun pairing with a classic black and white penny round tile floor and a modern slipper tub to create an airy bathroom that is instantly Pinterest-worthy. This twist on a classic will add a surprising effect that is unique and unexpected! In the most classic subway tile layout, the tiles are staggered like bricks in a 50/50 offset, creating a symmetrical yet dynamic composition. If youre looking for a clean, symmetrical composition, a stacked horizontal pattern might be the right choice for you. We staggered, but its really a matter of choice. The bronze hardware and marble vanity decor give this minimalist bathroom a beautiful design detail! She also completed a secondary major in French language studies. Scroll through and find an inspiration picture that you love looking at, then focus on the elements that came together in that design! Here is my thought - if you do stacked it draws your eyes up and down - if you do staggered if draws your eyes horizontally - which way would work best with your space? Ive read stacking lends a more contemporary tone, which I would welcome. Here, smaller rectangular tiles marshaled in tidy rows align in a vertical stacked bond pattern for a fresh and modern bathroom backsplash. The result creates dynamic movement, creating an eye-catching design. The horizontal running bond pattern is likely the most recognizable way to use subway tiles, with a classic brick effect. It can be done, but it may not have quite the look you expect. Staggered just disappears. Her work has also appeared on Bustle, USA Today, ABCNews, and Parents. The price of installing subway tile can vary widely. I love the stacked look and think it looks cleaner. But I really doubt that will happen. I would do epoxy grout no matter what you do. Subway tiles laid in a classic running bond pattern (also called the offset pattern) are staggered by centering the end of each tile with the centerline of the tile above and below (this is called a 50-percent offset). In this design, subway tiles are set perpendicular to each other to create 90-degree angles. If you plan to sell in the near future, opt for classic white, horizontally stacked subway tiles to appease the masses.. The vertical version helps make ceilings feel taller if you want to emphasize the height of a space and make it appear roomier. Ann Wilson has worked to bring readers the best information about their homes. You can also opt for a 90-degree herringbone pattern, ideal for floor-to-ceiling tiling in showers. I always notice it and finding it slightly distracting - in an Oh look! Layout subway tiles in a herringbone pattern to add movement and texture to your space. This symmetrical layout presents a crisp, cohesive look that sets a serene stage for busy areas like kitchens. In the decades that followed, the subway tiles popularity waned. The short ends of the tile fit into the next row, sort of like a puzzle. The wooden grain detailing and gray color scheme are a great way to add height to an accent wall or enhance a fireplace surround! Just like the brick pattern, use a high contrast grout to pop up the tiles, showcase your pattern and give it a more modern look! What kind of grout should I use with subway tile? A. Weve detailed some of the staggered subway tile installation options above - a running bond vs. a stacked bond is a good example. Create a timeless beauty that is chic, elegant and uniquely yours! The stacked horizontal composition has some architectural benefits as well.