Best Subway Tile Bathroom Ideas | Updated!

If you are looking for inspiration and bathroom ideas, then a bathroom with subway tile is a timeless design choice that stays on trend. So at Stone Tile Depot, we have selected some of our favorite subway tile bathroom ideas for your subway tile bathroom. For classic New York white subway tiles, we have a variety of tile materials to choose from, including ceramic white subway tile to black subway tile, and if you love colored subway tiles, we also have styles to suit your bathroom interior.

What Are Subway Tiles, and Why Are They Popular In Bathrooms?

Subway tiles were initially featured in the New York Metro because they are clean looking and very quickly kept clean because of the solid and smooth glazed finish. This makes subway tiles ideal for bathrooms as they remain hygienic and resistant to water, wear, and tear as much as their appearance. However, compared to other bathroom tiles, subway tiles have an extremely durable appearance and are versatile for bathroom renovation and remodeling. If you want to keep the bathroom style simple with that timeless look, subway tiles are not the kind of tile you need to replace every time new designs come out.

12 Simple Subway Tile Bathroom Ideas

Here are the top simple and minimalist design ideas for inspiration:

1. Blanco Real Glossy Ceramic Tile 3x6

Blanco Real Glossy Ceramic Tile 3x6 by Stone Tile Depot. For a modern classic white subway tile bathroom, Blanco Real Glossy Ceramic Tile 3x6 is a ceramic subway tile that has the simplicity that characterizes a white bathroom tile bathroom. Use floor-to-ceiling or as a subway tile shower on the walls for a clean, light modern bathroom look—team with modern vanity bathroom furniture and modern fittings for a contemporary bathroom design. For a traditional bathroom look, pair it with vintage styles for a romantic timely bathroom look.

2. Calacatta T Honed Marble Tile 2 3/4x5 1/2

Calacatta T Honed Marble Tile 2 3/4x5 1/2 by Stone Tile Depot This Calacatta T Honed Marble Tile 2 3/4x5 1/2 is an excellent choice for a white subway tile shower idea in classic marble. Combine with matching marble in the bathroom for a luxurious bathroom that is practical for family bathrooms that must stand the test of time. A marble subway tile bathroom has a timeless elegance that will not go out of fashion.

3. Classic Mirror Glossy Subway Glass Tile 3x6

For a luxury interior mirrored bathroom, wall tile can look stunning, like this antique finish Classic Mirror Glossy Subway Glass Tile 3x6. This subway tile has a designer look for your bathroom because mirrored subway tiles can add extra style and subtle reflective interest to walls. Combine with marble or ceramic wall and floor tiling to complete a glamorous bathroom interior that you will love. Check lastly created best bathroom tile trends for this year if you need more ideas.

4. White Porcelain Wall Decos 

For modern bathroom tile design, these white porcelain tiles are a twist on the traditional white subway tile. Great for contemporary bathroom design with futuristic bathroom fittings and bathroom fixtures. To add depth, combine with darker or colored bathroom wall tiles like the one shown above.

5. Noir Glossy Ceramic Tile 4x12

Noir Glossy Ceramic Tile 4x12

• Noir Matte Subway Ceramic Tiles 4x12
• Midnight Glossy Subway Ceramic Tiles 4x12
• Midnight Glossy Subway Ceramic Tiles 3x6
• Fusion Antracite Polished Zellige Look Porcelain Tiles 2 1/2x10

For a sophisticated modern black and white bathroom, Noir Glossy Ceramic Tile 4x12 makes a bold statement when using a vertical wall tile layout. Combining black subway tile in the shower space and white subway tiles in the bathroom area is a clever interior design technique to divide areas in the bathroom with subway tile like this. Also, a vertical subway tile idea adds the illusion of height to a bathroom and, therefore, a larger space, perfect if you have a small bathroom in your house. It is a traditional way to use black and white tiles together but also can be defined as a modern subway tile bathroom. Mostly white subway tiles are popular but you should consider checking some black subway tiles as well.

6. Noir Matte Herringbone Ceramic Mosaic 10x13

Noir Matte Herringbone Ceramic Mosaic 10x13 by Stone Tile Depot. A herringbone pattern subway tile like Noir Matte Herringbone Ceramic Mosaic 10x13 is an interesting way to add patterns and visual interest to your bathroom walls or floor. A black subway tile in a herringbone design with a white freestanding bathtub will add lots of designer style to your bathroom space.

7. Blanc Matte Herringbone Ceramic Mosaic 10x13

Blanc Matte Herringbone Ceramic Mosaic 10x13 by Stone Tile Depot. For a twist on white subway tile, this Blanc Matte Herringbone Ceramic Mosaic 10x13 is a herringbone ceramic mosaic tile that is a tile bathroom idea that looks and adds lots of simple patterns to the bathroom walls and a bathroom backsplash. Consider using black instead of white grout for a contrast which can be paired with black fixtures and fittings for a designer bathroom style. You can use white subway tile with black grout like the above example to add contrast and more attractive walls.

8. Ming Green Polished Marble Tile 2 3/4x5 1/2

Ming Green Polished Marble Tile 2 3/4x5 1/2 by Stone Tile Depot. For a fresh eco bathroom look, our Ming Green Polished Marble Tile 2 3/4x5 1/2 is a lovely soft green subway tile that looks lovely teamed with natural wood bathroom furniture and bathroom accessories. Use adjacent white tile wall areas in the bathroom to add a light and spacious feel. Add hanging plants to tie together the soft greens in the marble. A green subway tile bathroom is a great idea for people who are looking for a bohemian lifestyle as well. You can check out some other boho bathroom tile ideas.

9. Blu Glossy Ceramic Tile 4x8

Blu Glossy Ceramic Tile 4x8 A blue subway tile bathroom can add color to your bathroom. Use this Blu Glossy Ceramic Tile 4x8 if blue is your favorite color. This modern artistic tile can be used as a stacking pattern, or a classic subway tile pattern called a brick bond. Try using this tile in a vertical bathroom tile wall layout to create an optical illusion of height in your bathroom.

10. Beige Matte Porcelain Tile 3x12

With the Scandi interior design trend, this Beige Matte Porcelain Tile 3x12 is the perfect neutral subway tile for your bathroom or subway tile shower. Beige is back and far from boring when paired with natural wood bathroom furniture and natural marble or stone countertops or flooring. It's one color proving its worth again in the bathroom design trend stakes.

11. Glossy Glass Subway Mosaic Tiles

• Ege Satin Subway Glass Tiles 3x9
• Aegean Matte Subway Glass Tiles 2x6
• Aria Glossy Subway Glass Tiles 3x9

For those grey days, go for a colorful retro eighties bathroom trend. These Dark Blue Glossy Decori Ceramic Wall Decos 5x13 are a fun way to add drama to tired bathroom walls. Pair with red fixtures and fittings or other eighties primary colors to make your bathroom pop! This colorful subway tile is also great for kids and teenage bathrooms.

Final Thoughts

So we hope you found these subway tile bathroom ideas inspiring. It gives you the idea that a subway tile has so much scope from traditional white subway tiles that folks consider a subway tile to be. Whatever your bathroom ideas, we have plenty of cool, classic, and interesting bathroom tiles to suit your bathroom style and budget. It is worth considering your color scheme and not being afraid to use colors other than a white bathroom subway tile. Get in touch with Stone Tile Depot today to order your bathroom subway tile samples.