Subway tile is a popular choice for many people. Subway tile first appeared in New York’s subway stations in the early 1900s. Many others were inspired by it and started implementing it in their own houses, such as in their kitchens or bathrooms. It has a vintage style to it but also has a modern feel to it. Subway tile was originally 3 in. x 6 in, but today it comes in various sizes, from long and slim to short and hefty. Because it’s so adaptable and has been around for almost a century, this tile is one of those design elements that will never go out of style.
Subway tile has a clean appearance and is also simple to maintain – a bonus! Subway tile used to just come in white, but today it is offered in various colors, sizes, and textures. Choosing the correct subway tile might be a little difficult at times. Subway tile designs might be boring, but mixing them up with a creative pattern can make all the difference in your house. Today we’re talking about subway tile and how to lay it in different ways to give your home a unique look.
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Subway Tile Patterns
Creative patterns may make all the difference in your home regarding subway tile ideas. So, let’s speak about subways and how to arrange them out in various ways to give your house a distinct design.
Classic
The tiles in this lovely traditional design are half-overlapping. This arrangement is ideal for patterned tiles and other dramatic design components since it is not overbearing while creating a pleasing, textured feel to your wall.
The tiles can also be laid against contrasting grout for a more traditional look, such as black tiles with light grout or vice versa. Because it has a cluttered appearance, it’s a good choice for areas that don’t have a lot of loud design features.
There are three varieties of classic patterns: horizontal, vertical, and diagonal.
Classic Diagonal
Give the traditional subway tile designs a new spin! It’s as simple as stacking standard subway tiles like bricks and rotating them at a 45-degree angle. Because it’s so out of the ordinary, this new take on an old favorite is a pleasant surprise in the kitchen. The diagonal design helps open up the space while maintaining a traditional appearance.
Herringbone
Do you want to treat yourself to something special? The herringbone pattern is just what you’re looking for! For a good reason, this is one of the most popular subway tile patterns. It’s pretty popular for wall tile arrangements. Herringbone offers a trendy, modern appeal because of the distinctive, intriguing zig-zag pattern. It creates a fascinating impression in your interior area, and the design leads the viewer’s sight, making it enjoyable to look at. If you want to emphasize vertical lines in your kitchen, particularly with a high ceiling, you might use a herringbone design for your backsplash. However, if your kitchen is small, you may find it advantageous to employ the herringbone layout to divert attention from the narrower vertical wall space and enable the wider one to dominate the view.
Stack
Stack arrangement is the best option if you want a simple design and clean lines. The tiles are aligned in neat, repeated grids in this configuration. The stack arrangement is ideal for simple interior design, but you may also use it in areas with distinct rectangular shapes. For example, you can create an eye-catching appearance by stacking elongated tiles in a vertical pattern. You can also utilize tiles horizontally to create a nice edge by employing a decreasing gradient color.
Basketweave
The basketweave or geometric style is a distinctive effect inspired by the pattern of a woven basket. The subway tiles are arranged into square blocks to get this look, with each tileset at 90 degrees to the next. The length determines the number of tiles utilized to the width ratio of the tiles.
You can make a basket weave arrangement in various ways. If you’re using typical subway tile sizes (3″ x 6″), the structure can be made by laying two tiles next to each other to form a square, keeping in mind that the length of the tiles is twice the width. If you’re using elongated tiles, you’ll probably need more than five or six to make one set of squares.
Step Ladder
This pattern is comparable to a 45-degree herringbone pattern. This pattern is a great way to highlight the main features of a room. The length and width of the step ladder must be in a 2:1 ratio to make the step ladder layout. Two rectangular subway tiles are connected to form an ‘L’ shape, which is then aligned with other similar ‘L’ shapes to provide a moving ladder effect. The step ladder design is excellent for emphasizing the corners of your interior space and creating a crowded atmosphere.
English Bond
Two different sized subway tiles are alternated row by row to form the English-bond design. If you don’t have tiles in two different sizes, you can still make this design by cutting the tiles in half to make them a shorter length of the same width. The shorter tile in the classic English bond design is usually half the width of the longer one. You could, however, put on your thinking cap and come up with a different approach to make this intriguing design!
Cobble
Cobble is similar to herringbone but much more complex. Between each ‘L’ form, many half-cut square tiles are put. Because this is a complex arrangement, it’s best to choose a grout that’s the same color as the tiles or belongs to the same color family. This arrangement technique could be appropriate if your interior décor is on the traditional side.
Bottom Line on Subway Tile Patterns
Now you can see why subway tile is so popular, how it’s held up for over a century, and why it’s here to stay. You could even have fallen in love with a particular subway tile pattern; if not, you have the tools and know-how to create the perfect subway tile for your house. Examine all of your options and choose the pattern that best complements your house. It’s essential to understand your alternatives, whether you’re remodeling or building a new home. After all, you are investing money and should make the most of it. Please don’t hesitate to contact FBR Construction if you want professional assistance. We are always available to assist you!
Source:
The Ultimate Guide To Subway Tiles. (2021, February 1). BELK Tile.
https://www.belktile.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-subway-tiles/.
Everything You Need To Know About Subway Tile – Why Tile. (2021, January 21). Why Tile.
https://whytile.com/2021/01/everything-you-need-to-know-about-subway-tile/.
Team & Writers, D. E. (2019, July 12). Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplash (Ultimate Guide) – Designing Idea. Designing Idea.
https://designingidea.com/subway-tile-kitchen-backsplash/.