After looking at these, I have two conclusions: One, I love subway tile even more. Two, gray grout all the way.

Nice pics! The darker grout seems to have an antique-ish appeal, whereas the white grout looks fantastic in a modern-styled (contemporary, i mean) space.

On a similar note, the other day I saw that Lowe's has matte-finish subway tiles-- anyone have any thoughts on these? Or any good images? It's hard to picture in my mind the difference the finish would make...

I was just thinking the opposite, pi. The only tiling job I like is number 1, with white grout. Oh, well.

I clicked on this expecting something much different. As in different, inspired uses of subway tile in kitchens. All I see here is the same exact application (with 2 different grout options) in different kitchens. They all look pretty much the same.

Next time can we have a post about truly 'inspired' uses? Like patterns and vertical alignment? I love this material, it would be great to see the more unique ways you can use it.

@Rural and Rueful - I didn't like the first one as much because the subway tile really blends in, which I don't like as much because the grout doesn't give it definition. For light grout, I much prefer the sixth photo because the tile isn't a uniform color.

@Rural and Rueful - Fifth photo. I meant fifth photo, not sixth.

Too much white for me (at least in these kitchens). They look more like ultra-sterile operating rooms.

@pi, yes, I agree that is an attractive grout for the white tile -- gray with a blue undertone. I'm just not loving the wall design.

I recently replaced my backsplash with mini subway tiles and I love the different effect the small scale has on the space....

The dark grout continues to look dirty to me. I was hoping for some colorful subway tile. This is fine and classic, but also a bit boring.

me too, love the subway tiles with gray grout!

Uh-oh. Subway tile suddenly looks dated. I think it's out ... again.

I'm predicting matte tiles, in greyish tones, in small squares. Maybe speckled.

At the higher end, stone-like tiles such as classic marble.

Yep, that's what's appearing in my crystal ball ... ;)

I truly dislike the dark grout with white tiles.

What is SO appealing to me about subway tile is that sterile, surgical look. And it's perfectly complemented by white grout. Clean!

What I find appealing about subway tile is that classic, traditional look that suggests patina and age, and I think the grey grout emphasizes that best. Like a butler's pantry or old French bistro. It is counter-intuitive for me since I hate subways.

Thank you for these - though all similar, I think it's valuable to see the minute differences and how the grout colors look in each situation. I'd gotten a little paranoid that my plan to do white tiles with white grout would look hospital-ish, but I don't find that to be the case at all, in the photos. I definitely don't think the colored tile looks "dirty," but I just don't care for that much pattern definition, at least not for my plan.

The only one I don't care for is #4, with the square tiles. Offset like this, for some reason it looks too artificial.

* I meant the colored GROUT doesn't look dirty. Note to self: DO PRESS PREVIEW COMMENT, no matter what.

@ Favorite Planet - I'm with you in that I'm not a fan of the sterile surgical look.

In my imaginary kitchen (in my imaginary giant loft apartment that I owned), I'd go with a replication of my actual NYC subway stop - white tile, dirty dark grout, with the name of my stop in a mosaic tile design. No graffiti, though.

Agree with Gbannis. We considered subway tile, but went with off-white tumbled marble instead because the shine and sparkle of the smooth tile surface made it too busy. I clicked on this post hoping to see different takes on subway tile -- matt tiles or something, but it's all the same sparkly shiny tile -- and it looks kinda interchangeable. It really makes me love the softness and depth of our tumbled marble.

great idea aqualime. I'm imagining the cortlandt street stop on the R line where the mosaic says "hudson tubes" with and arrow... I love love love that tile. as long as no one uses the mosaic to write the word "eat" I know I'd love it.

I like the fact that you call them subway tiles in the US. I think in Britain they call them Victorian or something and in Italy we call them, at least is what I have heard, public tolilets tiles!

Off-white tumbled marble? Sounds too . . . . traditional for my taste. And you think subway tile is looking dated?

I too am underwhelmed by these photos. Not much more interesting that what a google search would render. But, I'm an interior designer, so maybe I just see pics like this too often. The last pic is the only one that kinda tripped my trigger, but that was mostly the yellow pendants and graphic '3'.

Actually, the inset shelf in 5 is pretty neat! I could get on that bandwagon.

Thank you for this feature. I just selected white subway tile for my backsplash and now I'm waffling between light and dark grout. Perfect timing!

Even though they're white and shiny, the shape is just like ugly red brick tiles, and for that reason, I've never warmed up to subway tile.

As someone who takes the NYC subways almost everyday, I really need an escape from those tiles whether clean, dirty, crackled and staggered when I get home. No wonder the city has commissioned various ceramic and tile artists to enhance these tunnels. When I do my kitchen renovation, neither subway or sanatorium look do I want on my backsplash.

I haven't been able to find subway tile in anything other than white. I'm renovating my kitchen with cream-colored glossy cabinets from ikea, and I think white tiles with cream cabinets might look bad. Any suggestions on where I can find other subway tile colors?

@SlopeGirl - cool idea, and I agree about the "eat", lol.