Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplash Inspiration

Featured Image: Gioia Milk Porcelain Kitchen Backsplash Tile from Arizona Tile

Some looks never really go out of style, like subway tile, natural stone countertops, and wood flooring. These finishes create a warm yet luxurious feel and create versatility with décor and aesthetic preferences in any room of your home.

Subway tile, a timeless choice, has been a design staple for decades as a sleek and familiar option for wall tile. Its popularity is a testament to its versatility, and it seamlessly blends into a variety of design preferences, regardless of current trends or fads. Whether your style is modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, subway tile can enhance your design aesthetic while remaining beautiful and relevant for a lifetime.

What is Subway Tile?

Though it may sound familiar, you may not be quite sure what subway tile is if you’re new to the design space. Traditionally, subway tile holds distinct characteristics:

• 3” x 6” in size
• white glossy ceramic to reflect light
• Laid with a 50% offset (meaning that the middle of a single tile creates the placement of two tile edges both above and below it)
• Low maintenance

“Subway tile” was dubbed such because this white, glossy, rectangular tile was first used in New York City subway stations beginning at the start of the 20^th century. It’s simple yet elegant, and modern yet traditional while being versatile and artistic all at once.

Given the basis of subway tile, there can certainly be variations that have a similar feel. You could choose a rectangular tile with different dimensions but still possess a 1-to-2 representation like 2” x 4”, 4” x 8”, and 6” x 12”. There can be a change in the offset of the tile, such as a one-third or one-fourth offset, or even straight set (with the tiles stacked one on top of the other) depending on personal preference. While glossy white ceramic was the original subway tile, material (like porcelain or glass), colors, and finishes can be adjusted to suit your unique design needs.

Image: Gioia Greige Porcelain Kitchen Tile Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Additionally, finishes around the room can be bolder or make more of a statement when you keep your tile pattern relatively simple. This allows more creativity to make louder statements with cabinet colors, gold faucets, and finishing accents for example. However, do keep in mind a light-colored, bright, glossy finish of “traditional” subway tile allows for light to better reflect around a space.

Image: Arte White Glossy 4 x 16 Ceramic Subway Tile Kitchen Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Arte

For a classic subway tile look, Arte White, 3” x 6”, is a great option. Also available in the larger 3” x 12” and 4”x 16” sizes; this ceramic tile provides that iconic reflective, glossy finish while being easy to clean. It is recommended for commercial or residential use, interior walls, around fireplaces, and shower walls. Also available in three additional colors, this versatile subway-style tile will provide flexibility for whatever décor and design themes you love.

Image: Flash Light Blue 3 x 12 Ceramic Kitchen Backsplash Tile from Arizona Tile

Flash

Another option for a subway tile is the Flash series. While this is a ceramic tile and does come in white with a soft glaze, it has a textured surface and is a spin on the “standard” subway tile. Boasting an assortment of textures and slight glaze variation from piece to piece, it’s designed to emulate hand-crafted tile. The visual interest of this tile receives a boost with its elegant color selection, which also features a range in tonal variety – so even if you go with a neutral color option, like the White or Ivory, there is an energy to it as your eyes move from color to color (although slight). The Flash series is available in eight stunning colors and would look amazing in many settings, both residential and commercial.

Image: Concerto White Matte & Glossy Glazed Porcelain Commercial Kitchen Tile Backsplash from Arizona Tile

Concerto

Similar to ceramic tile, is porcelain tile. Porcelain tile is denser, less porous, and highly resistant to scratches, stains, and watermarks. With the basis of subway tile ideas in mind, the Concerto series offers a similar feel as other subway tiles, but changes the dynamic with its 2 ¼” x 9 ¾” size. With broader uses than ceramic, this glazed porcelain comes in glossy or matte and used both commercially or residentially, on interior floors (matte only), interior and exterior walls, around fireplaces, shower walls and steam showers, and in pools and spas. Available in seven neutral and smoky color hues, this color palette complements any style and can seamlessly pair with natural stone or other tile series.

Image: Concerto White Porcelain Tile Backsplash in Matte and Glossy, & Portofino Classico Honed Quartz Countertop

Gioia

Want to get really fun and creative with a subway-tile-inspired look? Gioia porcelain tile is a great option for that! With 16 exciting colors and a wide range of recommended uses—both inside and outside and for residential or commercial use—the Gioia series will delight day after day, year after year. These bright, glossy colors are beautiful accents to any design ranging from traditional to ultra-modern.

Image: Gioia Rosso (left), Azure (center), Mango (right) & Milk 4 x 16 Glossy Porcelain Wall Tile Accents

Calacatta Umber

Sophisticated, elegant, luxurious, inviting… marble tile embodies all these qualities. Whether modern or traditional, marble will always make a statement. Calacatta Umber marble tile has a way of showcasing so much beauty while drawing you in with its calming tones. Adding a subway-tile-inspired layout provides long-lasting design satisfaction as such a look has proven to endure for ages. Using marble tile adds a feel of sophistication and elegance as marble has been long associated with both. There is even a good chance you will fall in love with Calacatta Umber and find inspiration to create additional uses with its other sizes throughout the home.

Image: Calacatta Umber 3 x 12 Marble Kitchen Tile Backsplash from Arizona Tile Calacatta Umber

What’s Next?

Between product choices, layout options, design suggestions, and personal preferences, there is so much to consider when working on a design project. Whether you use subway tile specifically or opt for a spinoff of your choosing, you will likely create a pleasing aesthetic for a lifetime. Look through your tile options and our photo gallery for inspiration, then go from there to find what subway-tile-inspired idea works best in your design.

After you’ve researched your options, or before depending on what information you need to gather, visit an Arizona Tile store or slab yard to see options in person. When you’ve narrowed your selection, use our Just Imagine Tile Visualizer to gain a better visual sense of your favorite products and how you may choose to integrate them.

If you ever have questions for us along the way, our helpful and knowledgeable staff are always here and happy to help!