The Best Subway Tile Patterns for a Kitchen
Most kitchens are designed with a specific look and style, whether classic or modern. However, even the most timeless designs can feel outdated over time. Thankfully, you can easily refresh your kitchen by exploring new subway tile patterns. From horizontal to vertical, subway tiles offer endless versatility to complement any kitchen aesthetic.
If you’re wondering, “How can I make my subway tile more interesting?”, the answer lies in experimenting with different patterns. Subway tile layouts like herringbone, stacked, offset, and crosshatch allow you to get creative and bring a unique personality to your kitchen. These patterns transform a simple tile into a striking design element, whether you’re aiming for a bold statement or a subtle, classic touch.
While several patterns are suitable for kitchens, some stand out as a cost-effective and visually striking choice. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, now is the perfect time to consider modern subway tile patterns. Keep reading as we explore the best options, from traditional horizontal layouts to vertical and creative designs, ensuring your kitchen exudes elegance and charm.
Popular Subway Tile Pattern Ideas
Using subway tiles in the kitchen offers endless design possibilities for kitchen splashbacks, thanks to their versatility and classic appeal. From traditional layouts to modern styles, there’s a subway tile pattern to suit every kitchen design.
What is the most popular tile pattern? The answer is the Stacked Bond Pattern, also known as the Straight Lay Pattern. This clean, grid-like layout is a favourite for its modern and symmetrical look, making it especially popular in contemporary kitchens.
Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the most popular subway tile patterns featured in this article:
| Subway Pattern | Pattern Description |
|---|---|
| Standard Herringbone Pattern | Tiles laid in a zigzag at 45-degree angles, adding classic texture and elegance to your kitchen. |
| Straight Herringbone Pattern | A modern take on herringbone, where tiles form a zigzag at 90-degree angles for a structured look. |
| Double Herringbone Pattern | A bolder version of herringbone with paired tiles, creating depth and dimension. |
| Stacked Bond (Straight Lay) | The most popular pattern, featuring clean rows and columns for a sleek, modern aesthetic. |
| Vertical Stacked Bond Pattern | Tiles are stacked vertically to create height and a fresh, contemporary feel—great for small spaces. |
| Offset (Running Bond) Pattern | The traditional brick-style layout, with each row staggered for a timeless, seamless look. |
| Diagonal Offset Pattern | A dynamic variation of offset, set at a 45-degree angle to add energy and movement to your splashback. |
| Vertical Running Bond Pattern | A vertical twist on the brick-style offset, ideal for adding height and modern appeal. |
| Crosshatch Pattern | A basketweave-like design alternating horizontal and vertical tile pairs for a geometric effect. |
| Chevron Pattern | Tiles placed at angles to create a V-shape, delivering sophistication and movement to your design. |
These popular subway tile layouts allow you to achieve a variety of looks, whether you prefer something timeless and traditional or bold and modern.
Want more details? Keep reading as we explore each pattern further, including tips on how to make them work for your kitchen design.
Standard Herringbone Pattern
The traditional herringbone pattern is a timeless subway tile layout pattern that adds elegance to any kitchen splashback. This classic design involves laying the tiles in a zigzag pattern at 45-degree angles, creating a stunning visual effect. It works particularly well with neutral or bold-coloured subway tiles, offering versatility to match various kitchen styles. Traditional herringbone is a perfect choice for those seeking a blend of sophistication and texture in their subway tile ideas.
Straight Herringbone Pattern
The straight herringbone pattern is a modern twist on the traditional layout. In this design, the subway tiles are arranged in a zigzag formation but at 90-degree angles, creating a cleaner and more structured look. This subway tile pattern idea is ideal for contemporary kitchens, where clean lines and minimalistic designs are preferred. The straight herringbone is an excellent option for those using subway tiles for kitchen splashbacks, as it offers visual interest without overwhelming the space.
Double Herringbone Pattern
The double herringbone pattern takes the classic herringbone to the next level by pairing tiles together before laying them in the zigzag pattern. This unique design adds depth and dimension to your kitchen splashback. It’s a standout subway tile idea for homeowners looking to make a bold statement. The double herringbone pattern works beautifully with both contrasting grout colours and matching tones, highlighting the intricate details of the layout.
Stacked Bond Pattern
If you’re wondering, “What is the easiest subway tile pattern to install?” Horizontal Stacked Bond is the answer. The stacked bond pattern is one of the simplest and most modern subway tile patterns for kitchen splashbacks. This design involves aligning the tiles directly on top of one another in neat rows and columns, creating a clean and symmetrical look. The result is a minimalist style that complements contemporary or industrial kitchen designs perfectly.
With its straightforward layout, the stacked bond pattern allows the focus to remain on the tile colour, texture, or finish. It’s a great choice if you’re looking to showcase bold colours or glossy finishes on your splashback. For a unique twist, consider pairing this pattern with contrasting grout to highlight the precise lines and add visual interest.
Vertical Stacked Bond Pattern
The vertical stacked bond pattern is a sleek and modern take on traditional subway tile layouts. In this design, tiles are arranged in vertical columns with clean, straight lines, creating a sense of height and making the space appear taller. This layout is one of the most popular subway tile pattern ideas for small kitchens or contemporary splashbacks, as it brings a bold, fresh look to any design. (Also read our post, Using Subway Tiles in Small Spaces)
Personally, the vertical stacked bond pattern is my favourite. When renovating the kitchen in my investment property, I wanted a design that would stand out while remaining timeless. This pattern offered the perfect balance. It enhanced the splashback, made the kitchen feel more spacious, and paired beautifully with simple white grout for a minimalist finish.
This pattern works especially well with rectangular subway tiles in neutral or bold colours. If you’re looking for a modern, eye-catching splashback, the vertical stacked bond pattern is an excellent choice.
Offset Pattern
The offset pattern, also known as the brick or running bond pattern, is a timeless and highly popular subway tile layout. Each row is staggered by half the width of the tile below, creating that classic brick-like effect we’ve all come to recognise.
If you ask the question, “What pattern do you use to lay subway tile?”, the answer will almost always be the offset pattern. It’s the most popular and widely recognised layout, loved for its clean, versatile look and ability to complement both traditional and modern kitchen designs.
If you’re wondering, “How do you stagger subway tiles?”, the key lies in aligning the tiles precisely. To achieve a classic 50-percent offset or ½ offset, the end of each tile should line up with the centre of the tile directly above and below it. This staggered layout creates a clean, flowing look and helps draw the eye across the surface, adding subtle visual interest without overwhelming the space.
For the best results:
- Use spacers to ensure grout lines remain uniform and straight.
- Double-check alignment regularly as you work to maintain the centerline across rows.
- Start with a clean, level surface to ensure a polished, professional finish.
The offset pattern maintains its popularity due to its timeless and practical nature, effectively concealing minor imperfections and providing a timeless design.
Diagonal Offset Pattern
The diagonal offset pattern is a dynamic subway tile layout pattern that adds movement and energy to your kitchen splashback. This design involves tilting the traditional offset pattern at a 45-degree angle, creating diagonal lines across the surface. The result is a bold and eye-catching design that works perfectly for those looking to make a statement.
This layout is ideal for modern and transitional kitchens, as it breaks away from conventional horizontal patterns. It works well with both neutral and colourful subway tiles, giving you the freedom to customise your splashback to match your kitchen’s overall aesthetic.
The diagonal offset pattern not only enhances visual interest but also makes smaller spaces feel larger by drawing the eye upward and outward. If you’re looking to add a unique twist to your kitchen design, this layout is a great option to consider.
Vertical Running Bond Pattern
The vertical running bond pattern is a unique twist on traditional subway tile layout patterns. This design arranges tiles in a staggered, brick-like format but aligns them vertically instead of horizontally. The result is a visually dynamic and contemporary look that draws the eye upward, making it a great choice for creating the illusion of height in a space.
This pattern works especially well for splashbacks, as it adds a fresh and unexpected element to kitchen designs. It pairs beautifully with both neutral and vibrant tile colours, allowing you to customise the style to suit your kitchen’s aesthetic.
The vertical running bond pattern is also versatile, complementing modern, industrial, and transitional kitchen designs. For those looking to break away from conventional layouts, this pattern is a bold yet practical choice that enhances the overall design of your space.
Crosshatch Pattern
The crosshatch pattern is another one of my personal favourite subway tile laying patterns. This tile pattern resembles a basket weave and offers a checkerboard look from afar.
The crosshatch pattern is a geometric pattern suitable for use in modern kitchens. To recreate this tile pattern, simply lay a pair of subway tiles vertically next to a pair of tiles laid horizontally. You can also choose to create accents to highlight your space.
Chevron Pattern
The chevron pattern is a sophisticated and visually striking choice among subway tile patterns. In this design, tiles are cut or placed at angles to create a continuous “V” shape, giving the surface a sense of movement and elegance. It’s a popular option for splashbacks in modern and contemporary kitchens, adding a touch of refinement to the space.
The chevron pattern works particularly well with subway tiles in bold colours or metallic finishes, creating a standout feature. It’s also versatile enough to suit neutral tones for a subtler yet still impactful design. To emphasise the unique angles of the pattern, consider using contrasting grout to highlight the precise lines.
For homeowners seeking a high-end look that’s both stylish and timeless, the chevron pattern is a fantastic choice to elevate any kitchen design.
Read our post, The Hottest Kitchen Splashback Trends, for the latest kitchen tile trends.
Buy High-Quality Subway Tiles in Perth
Now that you have a fair idea of which tile patterns to choose from, you can go ahead and choose subway tiles for your kitchen if you haven’t already. For this, you need not look far—you’ll find an excellent selection of subway tiles in Perth at our store.
Of our vast collection of subway tiles, I recommend you consider our Gloss White Wall Tile 10x20cm if you are looking for something traditional. If you want variants, consider our Gloss White Wall Tile 10x30cm, our Gloss White Wall Tile 30x40cm or our Gloss White Wall Tile (Rectified) 30x60cm.
Conclusion
Subway tiles remain a timeless and versatile choice for kitchens and bathrooms, offering the perfect combination of style, practicality, and creativity. With so many subway tile pattern ideas to explore—such as herringbone, offset, stacked, and chevron—you can easily design a space that reflects your personality and enhances your home. Each pattern brings its own character, from bold and modern to refined and classic.
At Ross’s Discount Home Centre, we’re proud to offer an extensive range of subway tiles to suit any project. Visit our showroom in Guildford or shop online to discover the ideal kitchen tiles or bathroom tiles for your renovation. Let us help you bring your dream space to life with high-quality tiles at affordable prices.