Subway Tile....will It Be in Fashion for a While
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Surprisingly, one of the trendiest trends in home decor emerged from the deep recesses of NYC subways. A stark contrast to their namesake, subway tiles are classic, make clean, light, and bright. Given that subway tiles accept remained a ubiquitous staple in residential design for the last century, it begs the question: Are subway tiles out of manner?
To get to the bottom of this trend'southward trajectory, we pigeon deep into the history of subway tiles and spoke to several home pattern aficionados, including top-selling existent manor amanuensis Melanie Giglio, who works with 74% more unmarried-family homes than the average agent in Chicago.
Origin story: The makings of the subway tile trend
The masterminds backside NYC subway aesthetics, Christopher Grand La Farge and George C. Heins, faced with the herculean task of designing a public transportation system that was both easy to maintain and aesthetically pleasing (i.e., magical enough to make the city's shadowy underground seem less menacing).
In 1904, the ii men (or blueprint geniuses as nosotros like to call them) debuted their answer: 3×6 glazed white ceramic tiles with a loftier gloss finish. Regarding hygiene — a prized value in the Victorian era— subway tiles were the perfect material since they are piece of cake to clean and stain-resistant. Style-wise, subway tiles boasted the added benefit of effectively billowy light to brighten dark tunnels destined never to meet the low-cal of solar day.
Information technology took some time, simply by the 1920s, subway tiles found their way into kitchens and bathrooms everywhere, precisely for the same reasons that they worked in the subways; they were easy to clean, durable, and effortlessly fashionable.
Subway tiles roughshod out of style until the new millennium
In the decades that followed, the subway tile's popularity waned. In the late '20s and '30s, homeowners replaced white subway tiles with colorful variations suiting Art Deco style (pink, lavander, and burgundy were all the rage). Tile trends shifted throughout the second half of the century, though the square tile shape and colored finish continually trumped the 3×vi white subway tile.
It wasn't until the early 2000s that the subway tile began popping up again in trendy metropolitan restaurants and cafes. All of a sudden, the crisp design felt fresh over again with its gimmicky yet retro aesthetic. With this duality, the subway tile was effortlessly incorporated into farmhouse design, the lived-in state style popularized by HGTV Logroller Upper star Joanna Gaines. Riding on farmhouse pattern's coattails, the subway tile spread through homes across the nation similar wildfire throughout the 2010s.
Predictions: Subway tiles volition stay in style for the adjacent five years
Today, the subway tile is still in style, with its unproblematic composure almost guaranteeing the tendency'due south longevity.
"Subway tiles are classic and timeless, yet versatile, which is why they are so smashing. They aren't going anywhere in 2021 or across," shares Erin Davis, lead designer at Mosaik Pattern & Remodeling in Portland, OR. "What we'll continue to see is artistic applications or versions of the subway tile. For example, applying them in unexpected patterns such as vertically, instead of horizontally, and stacked instead of staggered."
Meridian real estate amanuensis Melanie Giglio agrees: "I think subway tile will e'er be hither. But I call back it'due south going to be a much more toned-down look. I exercise believe that the subway tile is such a archetype expect. I see it going on for a very long time — definitely for at least five years."
Factor your home sale timeline into your design choices
Despite her belief that subway tile will undoubtedly remain popular for the foreseeable future, Giglio advises homeowners to consider how long they plan to alive in their home when making design choices. If you plan to sell in the near future, opt for classic white, horizontally stacked subway tiles "to appease the masses."
In contrast, homeowners who don't plan to sell for the next twenty to xxx years can get bold and choose tile designs sheerly based on personal taste. Chances are, you'll need to update the kitchen or bathroom once again to align with what'southward trending during the fourth dimension y'all sell. There's no crystal ball to tell us what buyers will want in the future, so planning that far ahead is futile.
Mix information technology up: Make subway tiles shine in your home
While subway tile is a safe bet for resale, homeowners with a penchant for flair may find this style likewise predictable for their taste. Thankfully, there are several options for those looking to jazz information technology up, so the tile doesn't expect quite so, shall we say, "pedestrian"?
While we don't recommend you go crazy with colors or placement (these tiles belong in wet areas, end of story), you can play with patterns and material for a fresh accept on this timeless classic:
Classic staggered stack
The classic subway tile design arranges tiles in staggered horizontal rows. For subtle interest, consider using glass subway tiles in this traditional arrangement. The cogitating backdrop of drinking glass will make your room wait bigger, brighter, and all-around more divine. Yous tin likewise jazz upward the classic subway tile pattern by choosing a colored grout. For instance, pair blackness grout with white subway tile for a striking contrast, perfect for a modernistic kitchen backsplash.
Vertical stack
Get the make clean, classic experience of subway tile with a fresh modern feel by laying subway tiles in a vertical stack instead of the standard horizontal placement.
Herringbone pattern
Layout subway tiles in a herringbone pattern to add together movement and texture to your space. Since herringbone is a fairly classic pattern, this layout will even so appeal to the bulk of buyers. Y'all can also opt for a 90-degree herringbone pattern, ideal for floor-to-ceiling tiling in showers. This blueprint creates visual interest and draws the eye upwards, elongating small spaces.
Geometric pattern
Laying subway tile in a geometric pattern with ii horizontal tiles adjacent to ii vertical tiles gives this classic tile a bold, artistic twist.
Get the look: Estimating the toll of subway tile
The cost of installing subway tile can vary widely. According to HomeAdvisor, subway tile can price equally much as $15 per square foot or as little as $0.fifteen per square foot, averaging out somewhere effectually $7 to $13 per square human foot.
Here are some factors that determine the terminal toll to add together subway tile to your home:
- Foursquare footage
- Type of tile (due east.g., glass costs more than ceramic)
- Type of grout
- Pattern
- Labor rates in your surface area
The verdict: Subway tiles are still in style
And so at that place y'all have information technology, folks, the subway tile isn't giving upward its seat at the table any time shortly. And information technology stands to reason — subway tile is extremely versatile, beautiful, and easy to maintain.
Header Image Source: (Callum Hill / Unsplash)
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