London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Sep 18, 2025

How to Decorate Your Kitchen with Subway Tiles

How to Decorate Your Kitchen with Subway Tiles

Get a classic kitchen vibe in a snap.

It doesn't matter what your design aesthetic is or how much space you have, one thing's for sure: Subway tiles are a failsafe addition to virtually every kitchen. Inspired by the tiles that line New York City subway stops, subway tiles have been on the rise ever since they were discovered in 1904-and for good reason. Beloved for their versatility, their rectangular shape is simple enough to act as a blank canvas, yet can make a statement when reimagined in a fun color.

That being said, subway tiles are far from boring. With the right design cues, the design staple can be the perfect finishing touch to any space. Have a look at the awe-inspiring kitchens below. From rustic rooms to modern marvels, these spaces prove just how versatile subway tiles can be.



Modern Marvel


Nestled on Bainbridge Island, designer Taylor Ogle gives this subway tile-clad kitchen a modern spin with open shelves, marble countertops, and sleek, wooden cabinets.



Contrasted Corner


In this 1890s Southampton home, the black subway tiles give this contrasted kitchen an elevated edge. A crisp white hood and geometric floor tiles complete the look.



Tile Takeover


As this New Jersey kitchen proves, subway tile shouldn't be restricted to behind your stovetop. Nannette Brown added American Olean tiles to the ceiling, stove's backsplash, and a curved wall.



Colorful Cabinets


In this modern Washington, D.C. home, interior designer Zoe Feldman gives the classic subway tile backsplash an updated twist with Farrow & Ball's Card Room Green. Brass fixtures, a marble countertop, and steel farmhouse sink bridge the gap between old and new.



Classic Canvas


If your personal style leans more to the maximalist end of the spectrum, a crisp set of subway tiles is a clever way to add some decorum to your kitchen. The backsplash in this Hollywood Hills home breaks up the custom-made cabinetry painted in Farrow & Ball's Hague Blue and Granada Tile's patterned flooring.



Pop of Color


Contrary to popular belief, white isn't the only hue for subway tiles. This Maren Baker-designed space offers a fresh take on this beloved kitchen trend by pairing soft green tiles with white cabinets.



Go Big With Grout


Looking for a way to make a statement in a simple black and white kitchen? Create contrast with your tile grout. In this Hamptons home, the juxtaposition between the crisp white subway tiles and black grout make a statement in all the right ways.



West Coast Flair


Mark D. Sikes infused a California cool aesthetic into this Portola Valley kitchen by juxtaposing a soft gray backsplash with crisp white cabinets. Roller shades, woven chairs, and several textured area rugs round out the space.



Unique & Timeless


In this kitchen from Cooper Pacific Kitchens, glossy white subway tile pairs seamlessly with artful accents, including orb-style light fixtures.



Gold Standard


The team at Lisa Berman Design used subway tile as a backdrop for standout details.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Macron and his wife to provide 'scientific photographic evidence' that she is a real woman
US Tech Giants Pledge Billions to UK AI Infrastructure Following Starmer's Call
Saudi Arabia cracks down on music ‘lounges’ after conservative backlash
DeepMind and OpenAI Achieve Gold at ‘Coding Olympics’ in AI Milestone
SEC Allows Public Companies to Block Investors from Class-Action Lawsuits
Saudi Arabia Signs ‘Strategic Mutual Defence’ Pact with Pakistan, Marking First Arab State to Gain Indirect Access to Nuclear Strike Capabilities in the Region
Federal Reserve Cuts Rates by Quarter Point and Signals More to Come
Effective and Impressive Generation Z Protest: Images from the Riots in Nepal
European manufacturers against ban on polluting cars: "The industry may collapse"
Sam Altman sells the 'Wedding Estate' in Hawaii for 49 million dollars
Trump: Cancel quarterly company reports and settle for reporting once every six months
Turkish car manufacturer Togg Enters German Market with 5-Star Electric Sedan and SUV to Challenge European EV Brands
US Launches New Pilot Program to Accelerate eVTOL Air Taxi Deployment
Christian Brueckner Released from German Prison after Serving Unrelated Sentence
World’s Longest Direct Flight China Eastern to Launch 29-Hour Shanghai–Buenos Aires Direct Flight via Auckland in December
New OpenAI Study Finds Majority of ChatGPT Use Is Personal, Not Professional
Hong Kong Industry Group Calls for HK$20 Billion Support Fund to Ease Property Market Stress
Joe Biden’s Post-Presidency Speaking Fees Face Weak Demand amid Corporate Reluctance
Charlie Kirk's murder will break the left's hateful cancel tactics
Kash Patel erupts at ‘buffoon’ Sen. Adam Schiff over Russiagate: ‘You are the biggest fraud’
Homeland Security says Emmy speech ‘fanning the flames of hatred’ after Einbinder’s ‘F— ICE’ remark
Charlie Kirk’s Alleged Assassin Tyler Robinson Faces Death Penalty as Charges Formally Announced
Actor, director, environmentalist Robert Redford dies at 89
The conservative right spreads westward: a huge achievement for 'Alternative for Germany' in local elections
JD Vance Says There Is “No Unity” with Those Who Celebrate Charlie Kirk’s Killing, and he is right!
Trump sues the 'New York Times' for an astronomical sum of 15 billion dollars
Florida Hospital Welcomes Its Largest-Ever Baby: Annan, Nearly Fourteen Pounds at Birth
U.S. and Britain Poised to Finalize Over $10 Billion in High-Tech, Nuclear and Defense Deals During Trump State Visit
China Finds Nvidia Violated Antitrust Laws in Mellanox Deal, Deepens Trade Tensions with US
US Air Force Begins Modifications on Qatar-Donated Jet Amid Plans to Use It as Air Force One
Pope Leo Warns of Societal Crisis Over Mega-CEO Pay, Citing Tesla’s Proposed Trillion-Dollar Package
Poland Green-Lights NATO Deployment in Response to Major Russian Drone Incursion
Elon Musk Retakes Lead as World’s Richest After Brief Ellison Surge
U.S. and China Agree on Framework to Shift TikTok to American Ownership
London Daily Podcast: London Massive Pro Democracy Rally, Musk Support, UK Economic Data and Premier League Results Mark Eventful Weekend
This Week in AI: Meta’s Superintelligence Push, xAI’s Ten Billion-Dollar Raise, Genesis AI’s Robotics Ambitions, Microsoft Restructuring, Amazon’s Million-Robot Milestone, and Google’s AlphaGenome Update
Le Pen Tightens the Pressure on Macron as France Edges Toward Political Breakdown
Musk calls for new UK government at huge pro-democracy rally in London, but Britons have been brainwashed to obey instead of fighting for their human rights
Elon Musk responds to post calling for the murder of Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk: 'Either we fight back or they will kill us'
Czech Republic signs €1.34 billion contract for Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks with delivery from 2028
USA: Office Depot Employees Refused to Print Poster in Memory of Charlie Kirk – and Were Fired
Proposed U.S. Bill Would Allow Civil Suits Against Judges Who Release Repeat Violent Offenders
Penske Media Sues Google Over “AI Overviews,” Claiming It Uses Journalism Without Consent and Destroys Traffic
Indian Student Engineers Propose “Project REBIRTH” to Protect Aircraft from Crashes Using AI, Airbags and Smart Materials
French Debt Downgrade Piles Pressure on Macron’s New Prime Minister
US and UK Near Tech, Nuclear and Whisky Deals Ahead of Trump Trip
One in Three Europeans Now Uses TikTok, According to the Chinese Tech Giant
Could AI Nursing Robots Help Healthcare Staffing Shortages?
NATO Deploys ‘Eastern Sentry’ After Russian Drones Violate Polish Airspace
Anesthesiologist Left Operation Mid-Surgery to Have Sex with Nurse
×