I Asked Designers What They Really Think About Subway Tile, and They Said the Same Thing
Whether you love it or are over it, you’ve almost definitely seen subway tile in a kitchen, as either a backsplash or a full wall covering. These glossy rectangular tiles are ubiquitous in homes, and for good reason. They’re made from a classic material that basically never goes out of style, and they tend to be fairly affordable — especially if you opt for a simple white or off-white colorway in ceramic. However, some designers are advocating moving away from subway tiles in some instances.
In fact, designer Ramey Caulkins of Griffin Design Inc. said subway tile was a common kitchen tile mistake. “Subway tile is well … for the subway,” she told me. In her opinion, subway tiles are, simply put, too trendy and ever-present.
Caulkins’ suggestion? Using square tiles that somewhat resemble subway tiles instead of the traditional rectangular ones. “The square tile is back and more classic than ever,” she said. Specifically, she prefers 3” x 3” or 4” x 4” square tiles for a backsplash, but you could go a little bit smaller or bigger, depending on your personal preferences.
Danielle DeBoe Harper, the senior creative style manager at Moen, agrees. “Subway tiles create that classic, sleek look that is easy to clean, and people have loved them for decades,” says Harper. “However, opting for a square tile gives a more individualistic, handcrafted textural look to a room that makes a space feel casual and personal.”
Harper also acknowledges tile choice ultimately comes down to aesthetic preferences, and points out that subway tile is as popular as it is because of its simplicity and clean look. However, she thinks square tiles provide a fresher look and room for more stylistic versatility, “from shifting space perception and creating variance in layout to choosing more unique material options.”
Specifically, squares not only add contrast to a space, but they can also complement certain design styles through a stacked, mosaic, or offset layering approach. Playing around with the size of the tile can also make a smaller room appear more spacious — a larger tile, for instance, reduces the appearance of grout lines and makes a compact room appear airier.
What Options Do You Have for Square Tile?
Much like subway tile, square tiles come in a variety of materials and finishes. If you’re deciding to think a little outside of the box with this shape, however, Harper encourages exploring materials less common than ceramic or porcelain — glass or stone, for example. Unique textures and finishes are “great ways to add an extra level of personal expression,” Harper says, and can also balance out a home’s aesthetic.
She’s particularly a fan of zellige tile, a handcrafted clay tile from Morocco that is fired and glazed, and, in her words, “offers a dynamic, earthy version of the square tile look.” According to Harper, “The beauty of zellige is the union of handmade texture with variance in color. Keep in mind that a backsplash will be exposed to kitchen wear-and-tear — so make your material choices accordingly; zellige tiles are often uneven in thickness, so they can be a bit harder to clean than other varieties.”
Harper is also seeing bolder colors come through in tile choices. She’s all for this, as more vibrant colors “can add warmth, depth, and personality to a space.” If you’re going in this direction with colorways, she suggests offsetting those bolder tiles with warm neutrals and wood textures, as shown in the kitchen vignette by Moen just above.
Further Reading
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
