Metro/Subway Kitchen Tile Ideas – 18 Ways To Work The Most Popular Tile Style

Versatile, elegant and bang-on-trend, metro tiles have been gracing our homes since Victorian times.  Metro or subway tiles first appeared in, yep you’ve guessed it, the subway stations of New York. Designed to cover large, curved spaces, these tiles were inexpensive, easy to fit and simple to keep clean. They soon found their way into hospitals and private homes, particularly hallways and bathrooms, before making their way into our kitchens.

Keep reading to find out more about metro tiles, discover different tile layouts and be inspired by the sheer range of colours textures and designs available.

Image credit: @leannescottage

Recreate this look: Dorset Smooth Blanco & Weber Premium Grout Misty Grey

What are metro tiles?

Metro tiles are long, rectangular tiles, usually made from ceramic. Originally produced in white to clad the walls of the subways in New York and London, other colours soon entered the mix.

Metro tiles are one of the most popular choices due to their versatility, range of colours, materials and textures. You can opt for budget-friendly plain subway tiles, or go for more elaborate bevelled edge designs. You can also choose from a range of tile finishes from mirrored glass to rustic brick effect designs.

One of the main benefits of metro tiles is the choice of tile layouts. From the standard brick bond to more detailed herringbone and basketweave designs, this is the tile to go for if you love to get creative with tile patterns.

Metro kitchen tile ideas

With so many different colours, sizes and finishes, it’s not easy to choose the perfect metro tiles for your kitchen. We’ve put together some of our favourite subway tile kitchen designs to inspire you:

White tiles, black grout

One of the most popular and classic metro tile designs, black and white is a timeless combination. You can opt for smooth or bevelled edge metro tiles and make them pop with contrasting black grout.

Image credit: @solo_ledbury

Recreate this look: Dorset Bevelled White

White tiles white grout

Just the simple act of using a different coloured grout can completely change the way a wall of tiles looks. Keep it clean and simple with white metro tiles and white grout. It’s crisp and elegant and works well with any interior style.

Image credit: @my_c.o.z.y_home

Recreate this look: Dorset Bevelled White

Traditional style tiles

If you’ve got a traditional-style kitchen, cream metro tiles are an inspired choice. A little warmer than white, they’ll blend in with Belfast sinks, rustic units and classic kitchen fittings.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Recreate this look: Dorset Smooth Honey

Dark glossy tiles

Metro tiles are available in just about every colour you can imagine.  Make your kitchen splashbacks pop with gorgeous green subway tiles.  Green goes amazingly well with cream, grey, white and black cabinets and will breathe fresh life into a tired kitchen.

Image credit: @maryamshaikhshah

Recreate this look: Rio Verde

Ice cream shades

Do something a little different by combining lighter shades and making a beautiful feature of your kitchen walls.  We love these textured tiles in soft pastel shades, they’re ideal for adding a welcome touch of character without being too overbearing.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Recreate this look: Rio Rosa

Bold black tiles

If darker shades are more your thing, glossy black metro tiles will add a dramatic and sophisticated feel to your kitchen. Black tiles can completely transform a kitchen and if you’re worried that they might make the room feel a little dark, you can stick to one wall or a smaller area like an oven splashback.

Image credit: @shellbirch

Recreate this look: Rio Nero

Pretty in pink

It’s not the most obvious choice for kitchen tiles, but pink is surprisingly versatile and, depending on the shade you choose, can work well as a neutral shade with other colours.

Mix pink tiles with green, grey, white, navy blue or black kitchen cabinets and style them with traditional wooden worktops or natural marble.

Image credit: @the_flat_that_rosie_built

Recreate this look: Rio Rosa

Real stone tiles

If you prefer a more rustic look, natural stone metro tiles are worth considering. Although they are more expensive than ceramic versions, they’re pretty timeless so you can rest assured that you won’t want to change them in a few years.

Natural stone tiles will need to be periodically sealed to prevent damage from water and staining.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Glass tiles

Glass is an incredibly practical and beautiful choice for kitchen tiles.  It’s easy to keep it sparkling clean and it’s an eco-friendly option too.

Glass tiles are available in a range of solid colours as well as eye-catching metallic and iridescent finishes. If you want to add a decadent touch to your kitchen, it’s well worth going for glass.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Two colour tiles

Get creative with metro tiles and combine two colours. A perfect solution if you’re struggling to choose between tile colours, you can experiment with different layouts before you fit them to the wall.

Image credit: @mummy_mampz

Recreate this look: Emilia Steel

Mirror tiles

Get the ultimate luxe look in your kitchen with striking glass mirror tiles. Although the idea of lining your kitchen with mirror tiles may not seem hugely practical, they’re really easy to keep clean and they’re a great solution in smaller areas, especially rooms that don’t get much in the way of natural light.

Image credit: @cherry.grove.home

Coloured tiles with matching grout

If you like a seamless look, you can match the colour of the grout to your kitchen wall tiles. Grout is available in many different shades and, if you can’t find the perfect shade, you can easily mix powdered grouts together.

Image credit: @teachagustaisteal

Recreate This Look: Brick Mint

Herringbone layout

The shape of subway tiles lends them perfectly to creative tile layouts. The classic herringbone pattern dates back to Roman times and it’s one of the prettiest ways to display your kitchen metro tiles.

You can opt for the classic herringbone pattern, rotate it 90 degrees, or opt for an eye-catching double herringbone pattern. This pattern also works beautifully with different coloured tiles.

Image credit: @moxyandcostudio

Recreate This Look: Emilia Steel

Basketweave layout

Get creative with your metro tiles and lay them in a traditional basketweave pattern. The number of tiles you use in the squares of rectangles that make up the pattern will depend on the size of the tiles.

Image credit: @emiliefourneinteriors

Recreate this Look: Emilia Avocado

Vertical stack layout

If you prefer a more modern layout for your metro tiles, opt for the vertical or horizontal stack or block pattern. Vertically stacked tiles can make a room appear taller so it’s a good option if you have a smaller kitchen.

Image credit: @originalstyleuk

Recreate This Look: Rio Nero

Tiled counter

Metro tiles aren’t just for splashbacks, add a practical touch to a counter by cladding it with metro tiles in rich shades. It’s a look that will work fantastically in retro and modern interiors and it’s a great way to upcycle an existing island unit.

Image credit: @astrosoundscapes

Recreate This Look: Rio Verde

Tiled pantry

Metro tiles were created to clad the curved surfaces of the underground stations so if you have a curved area in your home, they’re the natural solution.

Give your pantry a retro feel with simple metro tiles, they’ll create the perfect backdrop to a beautifully organised storage space and make it really easy to clean too.

Image credit: @busolaevans

Recreate This Look: Tinte Blanco Matt

Tiled floor

And finally, we’ve not forgotten about how fabulous metro tiles can make a floor look.  Add interest and character to your kitchen floor with well-chosen metro tiles and a smart layout.

The herringbone pattern not only looks incredible, but it can make the room look longer, or wider, depending on the direction it flows in.

Image credit: @kitchenhomeoutlet

Top tips for using metro tiles in a kitchen

• If you’ve opted for metro tiles for your kitchen, you’ll be completely spoilt for choice. The sheer number of colours and textures can be overwhelming so visit your tile showroom if you can and grab some samples.
• Metro tiles can be a great option if you’re tiling on a budget. Tile layouts can make a huge difference to the overall appearance of the tiles along with the grout colour that you choose.
• If you’re tiling a small space, you might want to consider glossy glass or reflective mirror tiles, they’ll help to bounce light around and make the room feel much brighter.

Atlas Ceramics has a vast selection of metro tiles in different colours, sizes and materials to help you achieve a similar look in your kitchen or utility area. Browse our selection yourself or call one of our experts for advice.