An Introduction To The Subway Tiles
White rectangular tiles known as ‘subway tiles’ or 'metro tiles' were first produced and applied to the exterior of the New York Subway in the early twentieth century. It is getting increasingly popular to install subway tiles into feature walls and backsplashes, as well as combine them with other types of design elements for a stunning look.
The significance of subway/metro tiles is in how they are arranged and the rhythms that are made using various patterns, such as brick, herringbone, etc., to provide a unique style and appearance. When installed properly, these tile complements a variety of interior designs, from a casual to a traditional aesthetic.
Why are Subway Tiles So Popular For Kitchens?
Due to their ease of cleaning, subway tiles are most frequently used in bathrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms nowadays. The polished texture also aids light reflection which makes your tiny space look larger, making it ideal for small spaces.
More importantly, in a modern kitchen, we emphasize hygiene and cleanliness as they certainly are the most important factors in leading a good and healthy life. Both of these important elements of a modern kitchen can be achieved if you install subway tiles in your kitchen.
The metro tiles have a glazed finish along with a glossy look. More importantly, they are stain-resistant (an important feature every kitchen requires). Even during the Victorian era subway tiles earned it reputation for being sanitary and pragmatic for these hygiene-oriented features.
Since white is a neutral colour that draws attention to the objects put around it, it is available in a wide range of designs and patterns. Also, there are many possible colour schemes to choose from for subway tile kitchen with white being the dominant colour.
The designer can produce a close-to-3D impression when viewed from a given angle by combining distinct qualities from the tiles and grout patterns, and the contemporary feel could be increased by the contrast of the darker grout colour.
The laying patterns and grout colours that are used to decorate the walls of kitchens all around the world make subway tiles one of the greatest tiles for adding a unique touch to a place. Not to mention, these tiles are available in a variety of materials including marble and glass, therefore, you will certainly find numerous options to choose from.
Creative Ideas For Your Subway Tile Kitchen Designs
1. Mixing Patterns and Layouts
Try mixing up how you lay your tiles in the kitchen. Instead of just lining them up in a straight line, you get creative with different patterns like herringbone, brick-style, or even diagonal layouts. It adds a bit of flair and makes your kitchen look more interesting.
Plus, playing around with different patterns lets you put your spin on the design while still keeping everything looking nice and put together.
2. Create a Cohesive Look
When you use the same kind of tiles on your staircase as you have in your kitchen or other parts of your house, it makes everything look like it belongs together. It's like connecting the dots between different rooms, which makes your whole house feel more aligned and organized.
When the tiles match from one area to the next, everything looks consistent and flows nicely.
3. Incorporate Patterns and Materials
Subway tiles come in all sorts of materials, like ceramic, porcelain, glass, and marble. When you mix different materials, it makes your kitchen look more interesting. For instance, you have shiny tiles next to matt finish subway tile, which creates a neat effect with light and shadow.
Also, if you throw in some tiles with patterns or textures, it makes your kitchen backsplash stand out and catch your eye.
4. Create Contrast with Cabinetry
To make your subway tile backsplash interesting, try mixing it up with your kitchen cabinets. If your cabinets are dark or have bold colours, using white subway tiles will make them pop. It creates a kind of dramatic effect and makes your kitchen feel deeper.
On the other hand, if your cabinets are light, you use darker or colourful subway tiles to balance things out and make everything look put together. Mixing different colours like this adds a bit of fun and character to your kitchen style.
5. Add a Pop of Colour
Even though white subway tiles are classic, it doesn't mean you can't add some colour to your kitchen. You use coloured subway tiles to bring a little excitement to your design. Try adding them as borders or accents to brighten up the space.
Whether you pick bold colours like deep blue or green, or softer pastel shades, these coloured tiles add creativity, joy, or fascination to your life without straying too far from the traditional look.
6. The Allure of Black Grout
When it comes to grout for subway tiles, white is the usual pick. But if you want to shake things up in your kitchen, try black grout instead. It adds a bold and dramatic touch, really making those tiles stand out.
The dark colour of the grout creates a striking contrast with the white tiles, giving your kitchen a modern and edgy vibe. It's a daring choice that's sure to make your kitchen pop and catch everyone's attention.
7. Elevate Your Design with Marble Subway Tiles
If you want to add a sense of luxury, sophistication, and elegance to your kitchen, consider using marble subway tiles. Marble adds a classy and elegant vibe to any room, especially the kitchen. The natural patterns and lines in marble make it look super fancy and unique.
Whether you go for a classic white marble or something more exotic design, marble subway tiles will make your kitchen feel like a million bucks.
To sum it up, subway tile kitchens are not only efficient in providing a contemporary and stylish look to your kitchen but at the same time, they can offer you cleanliness and a hygienic environment which is essential for a modern kitchen. In case of a splash, or stains you will be easily able to wipe them from the subway tiles.
If you want to renovate your kitchen and are looking for the best quality subway tiles then you should get in touch with Sunwin Ceramic which is famous for offering the best quality subway kitchen tiles that are stylish, easy to maintain and extremely cost-effective. To know more check our subway tile of kitchen collection today.