Image: Mont Blanc Satin Quartzite Kitchen Countertop, Gioia Milk, Gioia Milk Pencil Bullnose Porcelain Wall Tile from Arizona Tile
Subway tile, a design that is both traditional and forever modern, has been a source of beauty, simplicity, and practicality since it gained popularity in the early 1900s. Its timeless appeal reassures us that it will continue to intrigue and inspire for years to come.
Popular in both commercial and residential settings, the true subway tile layout has met much variation over the decades making it versatile and appealing to many aesthetic preferences. To shed light on these variances, understanding the different offset patterns and how to pair with other tile, such as stacked tile, which possesses a similar staggering, will help ensure your design meets or exceeds your vision.
All About Subway Tile
Whether you’ve designed a space before or are new to the landscape, this information will help inspire or reengage you with this loved and desired tile selection and layout. Knowing where it all began and how it acquired its name will enhance your understanding of the style and the benefits this type of tile, traditionally ceramic, has to offer.
At its beginning, subway tile gained its name from truly being used in subway stations. The design was first “displayed” in New York City subway stations back in the early 20th century. A 3” x 6” rectangular tile, laid with a 50% offset, boasting a white color and glossy finish carried many benefits in a dark, heavily trafficked area. Subway stations lack natural light as they’re situated underneath bustling cities, so the provided artificial light would reflect off the glossy finish of the tile to achieve a brighter space. Plus, white is known for creating a more expansive, open, airy look, thus being why bright white was the tile color of choice. After all, the inception of the subway system needed to be inviting and aesthetically appealing.
While the use of white ceramic tile in high-traffic areas may raise concerns about cleanliness, it’s important to note that ceramic tile does not harbor bacteria growth, does not deteriorate over time, and is easy to maintain. Additionally, it is stain-resistant and easy to clean. This reassures us that ceramic is an excellent choice, and the color white is not a concern.
Image: Flash Graphite 3 x 12 Offset Wet Bar Ceramic Wall Tile Backsplash from Arizona Tile
What is Offset?
It is a very classic look and arguably the most popular installation pattern for subway tiles. Another, unique option for an offset is a vertical (vs. horizontal) offset, which can provide a more modern look.
Subway tile designs have spawned off a bit and will be seen with different materials, different colors, and/or placed with a different offset, like a one-third or one-fourth offset. A one-third offset involves placing tile with a one-third shift from the tile above or below it. So, whereas 50% offset meets in the middle above and below a placed tile, a one-third offset meets another tile edge one-third in from the edge of the starting tile. The same idea is true for one-fourth offset, just shifted one-fourth as opposed to one-third. These latter offsets have a similar appearance to a staircase.
This offset design is also present with natural stone stack tile. Stacked tile pieces vary in length, width, and offset but create a stunning appearance of texture and definition to highlight an area—around a fireplace or as a backsplash. Using this more rustic charm is both elegant and modern and would pair seamlessly with a nice subway-style feature that it butts up against or is positioned in eyesight across the room—maybe one as a backsplash and one around a fireplace.
Image: Secil White Split 3D Natural Stone Stack Fireplace Tile from Arizona Tile
Designs
There are many striking subway-style designs to highlight a kitchen, bathroom, or other wall in your home, and even outside. Tile comes in all different sizes, colors, and finishes so you’ll likely find what you dream of.
Sure, traditional subway tile is glossy white ceramic, but porcelain and glass have been added to the design pool. To be inspired by color, Gioia porcelain tile and Flash ceramic tile will cater to whatever pigment you’re interested in. The Gioia series boasts 16 color options and a wide range of recommended uses—both inside and outside and for residential or commercial use. Some colors are bright, some are bold, and some are soft, but this glossy tile will beautifully accent any design, from traditional to ultra-modern.
The Flash series delights with gentle texture and soft glaze that vary from piece to piece and are made to emulate hand-crafted tile. The eight color options are a delightful offering of peace and tranquility that create the perfect addition of color, both in residential or commercial settings. It is available in a traditional 3” x 12” rectangular format, as well as a 5” x 5” square.
To continue on the subway-tile design trek, the Concerto series is a stellar option if you like neutral, smoky colors. Because of the compatibility within these hues, Concerto porcelain pairs nicely with natural stone, like Mont Blanc quartzite. This is a great kitchen countertop option due to its durable composition, and pairing these selections together makes for a stunning contrast. Mont Blanc looks very similar to marble and can also pair with Calacatta Umber for a truly elegant kitchen or bathroom. Calacatta Umber is a marble tile that comes in more shapes and sizes than only the rectangular forms of subway tile, enhancing its versatility.
Image: Calacatta Umber Honed 3 x 12 Offset Marble Tile Kitchen Backsplash from Arizona Tile
Decisions, Decisions…
When there are so many striking products and designs, it can be challenging to make a decision yet rest assured, you can’t go wrong with any subway tile installation. For further inspiration, click here to preview kitchens that will be sure to inspire your design senses. Product choices and layout options are all about your design preferences, so to enhance a product’s offering, look at some of your favorites in our Just Imagine Tile Visualizer.
Be sure to stop into an Arizona Tile store or slab yard because we would love to show you our products in person. And, if you have questions along the way, reach out to our knowledgeable staff.
