Decorating
Decorating: 10 Different Ways to Use Classic Metro Tiles
Metro tiles are coming up from the underground and escaping the subway to live stylishly all over our homes
Known both as metro tiles and subway tiles, these neat little ceramic oblongs, typically with bevelled or nibbed edges, have long been used in the public transport systems of Europe and North America’s major cities. Now, they are steadily creeping into our homes. In the UK, H & E Smith has been making tiles for the London Underground since the 1960s and sells them to the public, too, but any tile shop will stock a range of metro tiles in a plethora of different colours and sizes. To get that true Tube station look, stick with plain white tiles and combine them with contrasting dark grout. Then work the look onto the walls in your kitchen, bathroom, cloakroom and beyond.
Pair up with punchy shades
Metro tiles are versatile enough to be paired with just about any colour. A zesty lime wall is the perfect highlight to sit above these neutral tiles. Match with other colourful accessories for a bright and beautiful kitchen.
Metro tiles are versatile enough to be paired with just about any colour. A zesty lime wall is the perfect highlight to sit above these neutral tiles. Match with other colourful accessories for a bright and beautiful kitchen.
Make them feel modern
The uniformity of subway tiles makes them perfect for use in a contemporary setting, as they create a neat, geometric backdrop. The white accents, spotlights and plain wood finishes are the perfect compliment in this fresh, airy bathroom.
The uniformity of subway tiles makes them perfect for use in a contemporary setting, as they create a neat, geometric backdrop. The white accents, spotlights and plain wood finishes are the perfect compliment in this fresh, airy bathroom.
Team with dark walls
Dark grouting ties these tiles in well with rooms decorated in sombre colours, especially navy blue, black and grey. This brooding bathroom shows how the individual tiles really pop out against dark walls and fittings.
See why your bathroom can benefit from a classic black and white scheme
Dark grouting ties these tiles in well with rooms decorated in sombre colours, especially navy blue, black and grey. This brooding bathroom shows how the individual tiles really pop out against dark walls and fittings.
See why your bathroom can benefit from a classic black and white scheme
Try in a shower
As one of the few styles of tile that can cover large swathes of a room without looking overbearing, metro tiles lend themselves to showers and bathrooms. Thanks to the neat brickwork pattern of the tiles, this shower enclosure looks clean and minimalist, but not plain.
As one of the few styles of tile that can cover large swathes of a room without looking overbearing, metro tiles lend themselves to showers and bathrooms. Thanks to the neat brickwork pattern of the tiles, this shower enclosure looks clean and minimalist, but not plain.
Take them round a corner
Use your tiles in any corner of the house to protect your walls, or just as an interesting alternative to paint. The slightly textured tiles and brown grouting in this kitchen nook are an original take on the classic metro look, and they work perfectly with the dark shelves.
Use your tiles in any corner of the house to protect your walls, or just as an interesting alternative to paint. The slightly textured tiles and brown grouting in this kitchen nook are an original take on the classic metro look, and they work perfectly with the dark shelves.
Combine with some shine
Team your tiles with other glossy elements to bounce light around and liven up a space. This kitchen matches the dazzling finish on the subway tiles with shiny silver shelves and cream cabinets, for a fresh, sunny feel.
Team your tiles with other glossy elements to bounce light around and liven up a space. This kitchen matches the dazzling finish on the subway tiles with shiny silver shelves and cream cabinets, for a fresh, sunny feel.
Keep them classic
Metro tiles fit perfectly into a more traditional interior. Here, the roll-top bath and period accessories work brilliantly with the walls. Repeat similar colours around the room to create cohesion, as with this subtle green shade.
Metro tiles fit perfectly into a more traditional interior. Here, the roll-top bath and period accessories work brilliantly with the walls. Repeat similar colours around the room to create cohesion, as with this subtle green shade.
Install a strip
You do not need to cover your walls with tiles from floor to ceiling to create some impact. A subtle approach works well, too. A small border of tiles with pale grouting looks beautifully discreet in this bright, airy kitchen.
You do not need to cover your walls with tiles from floor to ceiling to create some impact. A subtle approach works well, too. A small border of tiles with pale grouting looks beautifully discreet in this bright, airy kitchen.
Use them wall to wall
The classic black outline, created with dark grout, really helps metro tiles to jump out, but the cooling white ceramic means you can cover an entire room with them and the result will be wonderful, not overwhelming. This bathroom has gone floor to ceiling and wall to wall, with beautiful results. Even the window has been neatly framed with a metro tile border.
TELL US...
Are you a fan of metro tiles? How do you utilise them in your home? Share your tips in the Comments.
The classic black outline, created with dark grout, really helps metro tiles to jump out, but the cooling white ceramic means you can cover an entire room with them and the result will be wonderful, not overwhelming. This bathroom has gone floor to ceiling and wall to wall, with beautiful results. Even the window has been neatly framed with a metro tile border.
TELL US...
Are you a fan of metro tiles? How do you utilise them in your home? Share your tips in the Comments.
Wood makes a perfect partner for metro tiles, warming up their shiny ceramic finish. The warm tones of the shelves and cabinets in this kitchen tie in with the colour of the grouting, making the walls a key feature of the room scheme, as well as the cabinets.
Learn what wood to use for your kitchen cabinets