Subway tiles can be found everywhere, but how can you stand out from the crowd? From vertical installation to gain height to the absolute chic of the chevron, discover how this little tile can transform your bathroom. Here are 5 inspirations for a layout with character.
Recognizable among thousands with its beveled edges, metro tiles have become the all-terrain covering par excellence. If it still adorns the corridors of the Paris metro, it proves today that it has just as much of a place in our interiors, where it brings a crazy character. Whether it punctuates an entire wall, adorns a kitchen side splashback or covers the shower walls, Subway tiles can be installed in several ways without difficulty. Before you start installing subway tiles, it is better to prepare the surface that will accommodate it in advance. Once the space is protected and covered, clean and remove impurities from the surfaces, sand if necessary and finish with a good wipe with a sponge. Patch or fill any holes and cracks and allow to dry for the indicated time. Now that your wall or floor is clean and smooth, the glue will be able to adhere perfectly to it when laying the subway tiles. And even if it is tempting to install it without joints, know that they are necessary for the good performance of the whole. On the other hand, they can be more or less thin, white, black or even colored!
Inspirations for adopting subway tiles
Lay subway tiles horizontally
Specially designed for interiors that like square atmospheres, this first installation style is a classic. Laid horizontally, one stack on top of the other, the subway tiles stack with discipline. Very sober, you will agree, this laying subway tiles horizontally is perfect for spaces that are clean and intend to stay that way. Lovers of originality, move on!
Lay metro tiles vertically
If the room in which you want to honor subway tiles has a narrow or low ceiling, bet on this second type of installation. Like a trompe-l’oeil, the laying metro tiles vertically allows you to visually increase the impression of height. Clever therefore, it creates a feeling of space that breathes again.
Lay staggered subway tiles
Seen, reviewed and re-reviewed, it is the best known, the one which still characterizes some stations of the Parisian metro, I of course want to talk about the installation of staggered subway tiles. Offset by half compared to that of the row before, each tile can overlap and create a regular pattern, comparable to a brick wall. Far from being tired, this pose remains one of our favorites.
Lay subway tiles in a chevron pattern
Another room, another atmosphere with this new type of pose which is not new. Originally, the chevron installation comes from Point de Hungary parquet, dear to Haussmannian interiors. Laid in a chevron or fishbone pattern, metro tiles can reflect light in multiple ways and even create depth and movement, like a zigzag.
Lay subway tiles randomly
And for the most undecided among you, there is also a way to highlight subway tiles in your home, without choosing one of the ways that we have just presented to you. Graphic as desired, the random pose allows you to vary the pleasures by mixing horizontal and vertical poses. Our advice? Do not take advantage of it to go in all directions and maintain a certain harmony.


