Kitchen Subway Tiles – A Kaleidoscope Of Possibilities

SUBWAY TILE KITCHEN BACKSPLASHES – PRACTICAL MAGIC

Subway tile backsplashes have quickly become an essential staple for every kitchen. Open any magazine or design blog, and you will see tile backsplashes taking center stage in elegant shades and inspiring designs. As striking as they can be, these highly functional features also offer many practical advantages over untiled wall. 

Bare painted wall is more difficult to maintain. With a subway tile kitchen backsplash, keen amateur chefs can be as messy as they like. Glazed and sealed tiles are stain-resistant, meaning that while they are not entirely stain-proof, they will help protect against absorption. Splashes can be quickly wiped away with nothing more than a damp cloth and dish soap to keep your kitchen backsplash sparkling clean.

Subway tiles are also water resistant and heat resistant making them perfect for placement around stoves and sinks, protecting walls from splashes, steam and scorching over time.

Just as important as choosing the right tile is choosing the right grout. Grout is susceptible to staining, so make sure to choose one with stain, mold and mildew protection. Our broad range of grouts offers just this and requires no sealing.

SUBWAY TILE BACKSPLASH – WHERE FUNCTION MEETS STYLE 

A subway tile backsplash can become the focal point of your kitchen design. Choose a tile that inspires you and base the rest of your décor and accents around it for continuity.

Backsplashes that run the length of the countertops are popular, giving you free range to use all your kitchen space to the max. Mix and splash wherever you like, because all those tiles have got you covered. In smaller kitchens, a full wall can be oppressive, particularly if you have picked a statement tile that commands attention. To showcase a feature tile, consider a small backsplash behind the stove so that your tile can take center stage without overwhelming the rest of the room.

Our enormous range of high-quality, durable tiles will allow you to make a statement with your subway tile backsplash. There is now a large range of colored grouts to finish off your look to perfection. You can never go wrong with traditional crisp white, but choosing an off-white, beige or gray can truly elevate your design.

Above all, think about the whole of your home, and how your kitchen merges with dining and family rooms. Look for colors that carry through your whole scheme and consider textural tiles with semi-gloss or matte finishes to continue the flow of cozy soft furnishings.

SUBWAY TILES FOR KITCHEN BACKSPLASHES IN MODERN SCHEMES

It is hard to beat the simple subway tile for creating a minimalist look that is sleek and stylish. Beloved for its functionality over a hundred years ago, in recent times we have taken it to our hearts all over again. It has a beguiling retro feel to it that somehow adapts its nostalgic charms to a host of modern aesthetics.

For a pared-back, striking look, black and white is a timeless combination. In a nod to the 1960s, add a checkerboard floor and chrome fittings. And don’t forget to add a splash of color to your furniture and accessories.

A deep gray kitchen with matching subway tiles, creates clean, smoky lines that are softened when paired with a cream grout. Dark grey is stunning when accented with copper fittings. In fact a handful of copper tiles spread into the mix is just the thing to create a kitchen backsplash that takes your kitchen from daytime practicality to nighttime entertainment.

For a naturalistic feel, warm-toned wooden cabinetry topped with a white granite or marble countertop, needs not much more than a simple display of white subway tiles. Add potted herbs for color and glass accessories to cast light and you have a modern kitchen that is the embodiment of modernity and style.

HOW TO GROUT YOUR KITCHEN SUBWAY TILES 

Once the tiles have set and you are confident you can begin to grout. If you are mixing your own grout, only make small quantities at a time as it will dry out quickly and become unusable. Ready mixed grout is a great time saver, with the added advantage of having the same water content and homogeneity of color in every batch. 

Next, working in small sections, use a grout float tool at a 45-degree angle to guide the grout between the tiles. The rubber edge will remove excess as you go. Once the grout has sat for half an hour, wipe down the tile surface with a damp cloth. It is important to do this promptly, as dried grout can be exceptionally hard to remove. If your grout isn’t an all-in-one, apply sealant with a damp sponge.

HOW DO I WORK OUT THE NUMBER OF TILES I NEED FOR MY KITCHEN BACKSPLASH?

Our tiles are sold by the square foot. Measure the area you want to tile and use this to calculate how many boxes of tile you need. A word to the wise: order 10-15% more tiles than you estimate for your project. This ensures that you have enough tiles in case of breakage or scratches. Not only will it prevent hold ups in finishing your work, but it will also ensure that your tiles all come from the same batch, avoiding the risk of tiles that are fractionally different shades.

WHAT TO AVOID WHEN CHOOSING YOUR KITCHEN BACKSPLASH SUBWAY TILE.

It is important to consider what else is happening, visually, in the kitchen. It is essential that you avoid making the space too busy if your kitchen is small and countertops need to play host to lots of cannisters and utensils. For kitchens that are used to their fullest, it may be better to opt for a plain, muted tile that won’t compete for attention or leave your beautiful kitchen feeling cluttered.

WHAT SIZE SUBWAY TILES ARE THE BEST FOR A KITCHEN BACKSPLASH?

The choice is entirely up to you. Whether large or small, subway tiles make a stylish backsplash. One thing to keep in mind is that the more tiles you use, the more grout you need to apply. It isn’t problematic as such, but you may need to be a little more vigilant with keeping it clean, as grout is prone to staining if splashes aren’t wiped promptly.