When it comes to subway tile, did you know that there are myriad patterns that you can make? Most of the time, people seem to forget that you can think outside-of-the-box with this classic tile types.

We’re here to offer a friendly reminder that it’s important to consider all the available lay options to find one that works the best for your design. Since the key to a stand-out design is shaking things up and subway tile can do just that.

Here are the top 6 lay patterns that should be on your mind next time you start a design project:

Off-Set

Basic White 4x12 Polished Ceramic Subway Tile for bathroom use
Design: KBR Design Build | Shop Featured Tile: Basic White 4×12 Ceramic Tile

Off-set is the most traditional style for subway tile. It mimics the classic brick lay pattern. It is linear, but off-center, giving it a bit of edge.

How it’s achieved: Lay one row of tile and then follow suit with off-setting the next row so that the corner of the tile below sits at the center-point of the one above.

Where it’s popular: Walls in the kitchen or bathroom.

Basic White 3x6 Polished Ceramic Wall Tile Design by Carolyn Leona Design
Design By| Carolyn Leona Design
Basic White 4x12 Polished Ceramic Subway Tile design by Amy Courtney Design in Bathroom
Design By | Amy Courtney Design
Basic White 4x12 Polished Ceramic Subway Tile design by Customer in Kitchen
Design By | Customer

Traditional Stacked

Diesel Camp Blue Rock 4x12 Ceramic Tile in bathroom wall only tile
Design: Strauss House Design | Shop Featured Tile: Diesel Camp Blue Canvas Tile

Traditional stacked is a modern pattern that creates a grid-type appearance with tiles being laid one atop the other.

How it’s achieved: Evenly lining up the subway tile to be “stacked” one on top of the other.

Where it’s popular: Kitchen backsplashes or shower walls.

LOFT SUBWAY The classic beauty of subway tile with a modern twist of glass. Available in multiple sizes and finishes. 2x8", 2x16", 3x6", 4x12", 6x18 - wall only
Design By: R Ward Design | Featured Tile: Loft 1/4 Polished Glass Tile
Enigma Ash Blue 2x8 Polished Ceramic Tile Wall Only - image of bathroom
Design By: Well Done Building | Featured Tile: Enigma Ash Blue Porcelain Tile

Vertically Stacked

Vertically Stacked Dimensional Tile Byzantine 3D Bianco 2x9 Ceramic White Subway Tile - wall only image in kitchen
Design: Chrystals To The Design | Shop Featured Tile: Byznatine Bianco 3D Tile

Take the traditional stacked design and flip it length-wise. Vertically stacked tile gives a bit of a twist with its unique look.

How it’s achieved:  Stacking subway tile length-wise atop one another.

Where it’s popular: Backsplash.

Byzantine 3D Bianco 2x9 Ceramic White Subway Tile Design by: Caine and Company image in kitchen
Design By: Caine and Company | Featured Tile: Byzantine Bianco 3D Ceramic Tile
Byzantine 3D Alice Blue Ceramic Subway Tile wall only tile image in bedroom
Design By: Alena C Design | Featured Tile: Byzantine Alice Blue 3D Ceramic Tile

Herringbone

Brushed Stone Asian Statuary 2x8 Marble Tile - white - image in kitchen
Design By: Clear Cut and Co. | Featured Tile: Asian Statuary 2×8 Tile

Herringbone mimics the look of the herring fish. It looks close to arrows repeating. A  simple twist on subway tile to create a striking look.

How it’s achieved: Made of V-Shaped rows of tile in alternating 45-degree angles.

Where it’s popular: Backsplashes and floors.

Brushed Stone Asian Statuary 2x8 Marble Tile white w/Grey  kitchen use
Design By: Carolyn Leona | Featured Tile: Asian Statuary 2×8 Tile
Brushed Stone Asian Statuary 2x8 Marble Tile Grey Kitchen Use
Design By: Customer | Featured Tile: Asian Statuary 2×8 Tile
Brushed Stone Carrara Marble Tile, 2x8 Kitchen Use
Design By: Dixon Projects | Featured Tile: Brushed 2×8 Carrara Tile

Basket-Weave

One of the most aesthetically pleasing, but challenging patterns on this list is the basket weave. It creates an interlocking design that captivates.

How it’s achieved: A bit more labor intensive, it requires laying pattern in repeating groups of alternating patterns.

Where it’s popular: Floors.

Diagonal

diagonal-tile-pattern - A simple way to achieve a more unique subway tile design is with a diagonal lay pattern.

A simple way to achieve a more unique subway tile design is with a diagonal lay pattern. You can alternate the rows to create an opposing look or have the rows all line in the same way for a stripe appearance.

How it’s achieved: Laying the tile at a 45-degree angle and making the rows go in a parallel way.

Where it’s popular: Floors or accent walls.

Hopefully this sparked a newfound love of subway tile for you. Comment below and let us know which is your favorite, we’d love to hear!