17 Fresh Subway Tile Ideas to Recreate in Your Kitchen

Subway tile on all of the walls (and up to the ceiling!) makes for easy cleanup in this kitchen by designer Philip Mitchell. The unlacquered brass hood and butcher block countertop add warmth to the space.

In this entryway by designer Jim Dove, tiles extend to the mini staircase and onto the walls for a seamless look. Double pantry pullouts on one wall allow for sleek kitchen food storage.

In this kitchen by Regan Baker Design, the floor-to-ceiling wood facade conceals the cabinets and countertops. If you want to use tiles as a backsplash but have something more sleek and modern in mind, too, consider a similar design concept. That way, you can feature both materials.

In this space designed by deVol Kitchens, deep turquoise lower cabinets ground the spaec while the sage walls add a touch of levity. Between them, the subway tiles feel like a natural addition, thanks to the dark green grout instead of a classic white option.

Here's proof that subway tiles can even blend in with an industrial, modern environment. This kitchen designed by ETC.etera features edgy concrete floors, a retro red stool, classic black stained-wood cabinetry, an ultra-sleek island, and simple subway tiles. All together, they create an eclectic yet cohesive whole.

If you were looking for ways to switch things up, look no further than this kitchen designed by Janis Nicolay. She went the traditional route with classic white subway tiles, but then opted for a chevron pattern for an understated but fun twist.

Though subway tiles are most popular as a backsplash in the kitchen, they can also stretch all the way to the ceiling. In this Catherine Kwong-designed space, the subway tiles complement both the formal, sophisticated elements as well as the more casual and approachable parts.

Subway tile offers tons of room for creativity in the kitchen. Here, Chango & Co. created two stripes of olive green to add color and break up the white backsplash. They're placed under the white floating shelves, playing up the linear motif further.

Subway tile is great for going grayscale. In this kitchen designed by Chango & Co., the black grout pops against the white tiles. The graphic and geometric repeating bond pattern lends itself nicely to the monochrome color scheme.

For this Los Angeles kitchen, Jenn Feldman Designs chose a tonal grout to blend in with the navy tile, which is set in a refreshingly unexpected chevron pattern.

If you love the look of marble and other natural stones but don't want to splurge on a marble slab for the entire kitchen wall, opt for marble tiles instead. As you can see in this kitchen from @amuneal, it boasts that same coveted look.

If you can't resist a good wallpaper moment and want it in every room in the house, we support you. But one thing to keep in mind when decorating with wallpaper in the kitchen is how well it will resist moisture. It's best to just keep it out of splashing range all together. That's where subway tile comes in.

Color variation in your subway tiles will give the entire room a more artisanal aesthetic. Designed by Regan Baker, the mint green wall feels fresh, soothing, and cheerful—the perfect recipe for a happy family kitchen.

A glitzy kitchen calls for glitzier subway tiles. Interior designer Caitlin Wilson opted for a glossy finish, which goes perfectly with the pristine natural stone countertops, crisp white paint job, and pops of periwinkle throughout.

How clever is this setup? With tiles stretching seamlessly from wall to wall, the hood blends right in for a clean visual flow. No bulky appliances here!

If you're worried about the transition from subway tile backsplash to paint looking awkward or abrupt, take note. The strategically-placed artwork and a hanging plant in this deVol kitchen instantly captures our eyes, and thus, diverting attention away from the switch in material.

So you know you want to use a bold color for your kitchen walls, but have you thought about texture? Subway tiles inject a room with so much more dimension than a flat paint, as evidenced in this kitchen designed by Catherine Kwong.