Badass Ways to Use Subway Tile in the Bathroom

Subway tile has been around for more than 100 years, but recently it’s enjoyed a huge surge in popularity, appearing in bathrooms and kitchens in all kinds of styles, from the very traditional to the super modern. You typically see subway tile in white, in the familiar running bond pattern, but the versatility of their rectangular shape means these tiles can do so much more. If you thought subway tile was boring, wait until you see these eleven bathrooms.

Mixing in black subway tile, for contrast, is a great way to take typical subway tile up a notch. Bathroom from The Hunted Interior.

Laying the tile in a herringbone pattern, as seen here on Inside Out, creates a whole new look. (These tiles actually look to be a bit longer than typical rectangular subway tiles, whose long side is twice the length of the short one. These look more like 3:1.)

→ Shake it Up: 7 Creative New Ways to Lay Subway Tile

This tile installation, from Kate la Vie, turns the tile edge into a unique design feature.

Black subway tile adds a dramatic touch to a bathroom from City Home Collective.

→ Mix Up Your Look with Black Subway Tile

Beveled subway tile is the perfect choice for a traditional bathroom seen on Design*Sponge.

Beveled tile laid in a herringbone pattern creates a beautiful texture on the wall of this bathroom seen on HGTV.

→ Look We Love: Beveled Subway Tile

Beveled subway tile, laid straight and not offset, adds a touch of the unexpected to this bathroom by Royal Roulotte.

A thin stripe of penny tile adds a little excitement to this subway tiled shower from Alice Lane Home.

More herringbone tile in a bathroom from Turbulences Deco.

Take a close look at this pattern — it’s a herringbone pattern set on its side, forming a stair step effect. You can see more of this bathroom at Stories.

Dark grout is a great way to make subway tile stand out, as seen in a bathroom from One Kings Lane.