You adore the look of vintage Subway Tile – bold, urban, classic. Functional, yet utterly playful. But how do you make the daunting choice among so many fetching colors and patterns? Our designers are here to guide you towards choosing the colors, dimensions and patterns of the Subway Tile design that best embodies the spirit of your living space.

Do you envision a bathroom floor with a color palette of blue-green tiles that evoke the myriad shades of the ocean? Or perhaps you imagine curling up with a novel in front of a fireplace that features an intricate herringbone pattern in shades of cream and charcoal. Our hand-glazed, artisan made Subway Tiles are simply building blocks for your imagination.

The beauty of Subway Tiles lies not only in its urban transport-inspired design––classic yet totally contemporary––but also in its flexibility. From square 6”x6” tiles to rectangular 3”x12” tiles, we have a range of dimensions with which to dream, play and create!

City Inspirations

To help guide your exploration, how about a little history lesson? Subway Tiles take their inspiration from the iconic New York City subway. As you descend underground and wait for the train, you can still notice the original white glazed ceramic tiles that form the arched walls of these historic subterranean tunnels. First created in the early 20th century, they have become a beloved design fixture in many 21st century homes, from bathroom to kitchens, from floors to fireplaces.

Travelers, Anglophiles, and global souls: do you prefer to take your inspiration from across the Atlantic? If so, you’ll find beautiful examples of Subway Tile in the historic London Underground, otherwise known as the Tube. Check out our very own London Underground-inspired studio floor for Timber and Tulip.

2"x6" Subway Tile - 11 Deco White, 77E Grey, 366 Satin Black, 1016 Costa Rica, 1036W Bluegrass, 123R Patina. Small Squares & Bricks - 1016 Costa Rica.

The Heart of Every Home

Yes, we’re talking about your kitchen. In Italian, it’s cucina. In Swedish, it’s kök. (And if you’re understandably wild about all things Swedish, be sure to check out our Diamond Tiles, inspired by Scandinavian design.) Here’s a side-by-side comparison of our best white glazes and how you can use them by themselves or combine a few whites for added variation!









Evoke Emotion

One of the first questions to ask when choosing Subway Tiles for your kitchen boils down to sheer emotion: what mood do you want to create?

By choosing bold colors in monochrome, whether as backsplash tile or as floor tile, you bring an energizing, cheerful vibe to your kitchen.

Yet if the word “kitchen” evokes a calming, restful place where you like to bake, write in your journal, and unwind to classical music with a glass of wine, your color palette should reflect this intention towards serenity. Check out some of our most peaceful blue and green shades of hand-glazed Subway Tile.

Top Left: 2x6 Subway Tile in Herringbone Pattern - 22E Blue Opal

Top Right: 3x6 Subway Tile - 214 Coastal Breeze

Bottom Left: 3x8 Subway Tile (stacked) - 1017E Sea Mist

Bottom Right: 3x6 Subway Tile - 12W Blue Bell

Rejuvenate Your Space

The bathroom may be your house’s most functional room, but who’s to say it can’t also be the dreamiest? Think about choosing subway tile color that reflects the element of water––the force of nature that cleanses, purifies, detoxifies, rejuvenates, and inspires us.

Imagine a gleaming shower tiled in colors of the sea, set in a graceful yet classic brick pattern. We’ve designed Subway Tile colors like 12W Blue Bell and 23 Sapphire Blue to transport you.

Left: 3x6 Subway Tile - 12W Blue Bell

Right: 3x8 Subway Tile - 23 Sapphire Blue, Small Hexagon Flower Pattern

High and Low

Do your walls need a little love? Go beyond the space just below the cabinets. An entire wall is a veritable empty canvas—that is going to waste! Now imagine how you could transform the look of your kitchen, bathroom or fireplace area by extending Subway Tile up, up and away. That is exactly what Bari J decided to do with her kitchen wall. Countertop to ceiling tile creates a stunning effect.

The same concept applies to flooring. Do you want the cool, smooth feel of ceramic tile under your feet during hot summers? Then why not think about choosing our hand-glazed Subway Tiles for your kitchen or bathroom floor, or for the space around your fireplace? As floor materials go, ceramic tile is thankfully as easy to maintain and clean as it is pretty to look at.

3"x3" Subway Tile - 220 Sooty Grey

Go for the Grout

Grout? Yep. This is where we tell you about the glories of grout. (Suspend your disbelief for a just a moment…)

We’re guessing that choosing the color of your grout isn’t the first thing you look forward to when designing your dream kitchen or bathroom. But don’t underestimate the visual impact of choosing a grout color that contrasts beautifully with your tile. Just as a beautiful dress can be transformed by the perfect jewelry, our Subway Tiles will seriously pop with the perfect color of grout. We are always happy help discuss great options for your unique project. Our design service will also include a full color rendering with a grout suggestion. For this kitchen below, we suggested a darker grey grout for a beautiful contrasted look to make the tile pop.

2"x6" Subway Tile - Herringbone Pattern - 11 Deco White, 130 White

Uniquely Handcrafted

Each piece of subway kitchen tile is handmade by our talented tile experts. From creating the tile shape out of strips of clay, to applying glaze, to firing each piece in our kiln and transferring to layout, packaging and shipping, each piece of tile passes through the hands of our talented tile elves. The finished and installed tile reflects that beautiful handmade quality.

Inspired by something you see? Send us some more information to Get a Free Quote!

The post How to Choose the Perfect Subway Tile Color and Pattern appeared first on Artisan Tile Company: Handmade Ceramic Tiles by Mercury Mosaics.