Ahh, the humble white subway tile.

While it was the design darling for a while, of late it has lost a little bit of its’ lustre and has been relegated to the boring pile.

However, I think this classic 3 x 6 tile still has merit, much like a good pair of jeans and a white T. Here’s why:

It’s cost effective – at $2.30ish a square foot from your local big box hardware store, it represents unbeatable value for money. And who doesn’t like a bargain in the midst of a renovation?

It’s versatility – there are so many ways to make this cost effective tile work for your personal style as there are almost limitless options. Dress it up or keep it simple – the choice is yours. Scroll on to see what I mean.

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Below are several patterns that demonstrate how this classic tile can be both timeless and fresh.

BRICK PATTERN

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STACKED PATTERN

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HERRINGBONE

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WEAVES

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BORDER

 

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You can add more interest by:

1. Using a grout colour other than white – soft greys and taupes work particularly well to define a pattern without being too overwhelming or bossy. Plus they don’t stain or show the dirt easily. That’s always a win in my book!

2. Include different tile finishes – mixing matte and gloss white tiles will create texture and interest subtly. Going random with this mix is my preference, with a 70/30 ratio of one finish to the other.

3. Mix it up by using more than one pattern. In my own bathroom I created a riff on the weave pattern from counter height up, and used a stacked horizontal pattern below this height, like so:

COMBO

 

 

It adds pattern without being overwhelming or busy, and elevates this classic tile to something a little more special.

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There you have it. No need to compromise on style or budget with these statement making tile layouts. For more tile inspo head to my Pinterest board.

Thanks for popping in.

Caireen

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