If you’ve been following along with me for a while, you know I have a soft spot for subway tile. It’s timeless, budget-friendly, and versatile enough to work with almost any style, from modern farmhouse to sleek and contemporary. The real magic though, isn’t just in the tile itself but in the way it’s laid. The pattern you choose can completely transform the look and feel of a space.
As I’ve been working through the design details for the bathrooms in our new build, I’ve been exploring different pattern options for laying out subway tile in some of our showers. Today I’m sharing my favorite stylish subway tile patterns for elevating the design of your space, complete with tips on when and why each one shines. (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my full disclosure statement {here})
1. Classic Brick Pattern (Running Bond)
This is the layout we all know and love – the tried-and-true offset pattern that mimics traditional brickwork. Each row is staggered so the center of the tile above sits over the joint below. You can never go wrong with it and it will never go out of style! It’s the pattern that I chose for the subway tile in the shower of our previous home:
Sources: Marble subway tile | Hexagon floor tile | Square shower drain | Shower valve trim | Pump bottles (16 oz white/gold) | Body brush | Sea sponge | Stool (driftwood color)
and also the kitchen backsplash in our current home:
Sources: Subway tile | Floating shelves (white oak) | Sconces over shelves | Drawer pulls | Cabinet knobs | Woven pendants | Crackled vase on island | Faux florals in vase | See my kitchen remodel reveal for more details
Why I love it: It’s timeless, easy on the eyes, and forgiving when your walls aren’t perfectly square (which is most of the time). Plus, it works with almost any design style.
2. Vertical Stack
To add a fresh twist to classic subway tile, lay it in a vertical stack pattern. With this more modern arrangement, tiles are positioned vertically, one directly above the other in straight, perfectly aligned rows, instead of being staggered like a traditional subway tile layout:
You can also do a variation of the vertical stack with your subway tiles still being arranged vertically but in an offset brick pattern. This keeps the vertical emphasis while adding a little more movement to the wall. This rendering shows how a vertical subway tile pattern would have looked in the shower of our previous home:
Why I love it: It’s a simple and clean look, while still offering just enough of a departure from the traditional horizontal layout to make a space feel updated and chic. I also love how the vertical lines draw the eye up, making ceilings feel taller.
When to choose it: It’s a great choice if you like a more modern look or want to add visual height in spaces with lower ceilings.
3. Horizontal Stack
For this look, tiles are stacked horizontally directly on top of each other in neat, straight lines. It creates a clean-lined, modern grid effect:
Why I love it: This arrangement feels sleek and modern and makes walls look wider and spaces feel more open.
Design tip: Choose your grout color wisely! A grout in a contrasting color to your tile will emphasize the grid for a bold statement, while a grout that blends with the tile will create a softer, more seamless finish.
You can also get creative and do a mix of vertical and horizontal stack patterns! As an example, you could keep most of the wall in a clean vertical stack, but every few rows, shift the pattern into a horizontal layout. To add another element of interest, use two different tile colors, alternating colors throughout your pattern:
4. Herringbone Pattern
With a herringbone pattern, tiles are arranged in a zig-zag design, with each tile typically set at a 45-degree angle to create a “V” shape. The result is a dynamic, woven look that adds lots of movement to a space. It’s a favorite for making a statement on a backsplash, shower wall, or even flooring because it draws the eye and feels both timeless and sophisticated:
For a twist on classic herringbone, take the same V-shaped layout and shift the orientation of it to create an entirely different look! Rotating it from a 45-degree to a 90-degree herringbone (where each tile is oriented either vertically or horizontally) gives a cleaner, more streamlined look.
Why I love it: It adds instant sophistication and makes a shower wall feel special and custom.
Tips for using it: Herringbone is a busy pattern, so balance it with simple finishes in the rest of the room. You could also consider using this pattern on only the back wall of a shower as a feature wall.
5. Chevron Pattern
If you want your subway tile to feel anything but ordinary, laying it in a chevron pattern is a beautiful option. By cutting the tiles at an angle so they meet in perfect points, you get a seamless zig-zag with an elevated, designer look:
Depending on your grout choice, you can really play up the pattern for a bold statement or keep it soft and subtle for a more timeless look.
Design tip: Something to keep in mind is that each subway tile has to be cut on both ends to get that perfect “V,” which can drive up your labor costs pretty quickly. If you’re looking to save a little, you can opt for tile that’s already pre-cut into a chevron shape. Just know that while it’s easier on the budget, the style and size options are a bit more limited.
6. Basketweave Pattern
A basketweave pattern is achieved by arranging subway tiles in pairs or trios that alternate direction, creating a woven effect that adds interest without feeling too busy:
Why I love it: It brings a subtle layer of pattern that’s classic enough to work in traditional spaces but still feels fresh in more modern ones. It’s especially beautiful on a bathroom floor or shower wall where you want something eye-catching but not overpowering.
Design tip: This pattern works best with tiles that are exactly the same size, so think twice about using this pattern if you’re using handmade tile that varies in size from tile to tile.
Take Time to Choose Your Grout!
I can’t overemphasize the importance of grout choice in your tiling project – grout can make or break the look of your design! So definitely spend the time to get it right. A contrasting grout color will highlight the pattern and shape of each tile, making the layout the star of the show. On the other hand, choosing a grout that blends closely with your tile creates a softer, more seamless look.
I almost always go with a grout color that blends because I like a softer look. Check out my post on white subway tile with gray grout for all the details on my favorite gray grout colors (including the one I swear by when paired with marble). Also don’t forget to seal your grout and natural stone to protect it from staining – I recommend {this impregnator penetrating sealer}.
As for our new build, I’m excited to start sharing my tile, plumbing, and lighting selections with you! We FINALLY made it through our neighborhood’s strict Architectural Review Committee with our house plans (it was ridiculous…) so are just waiting on the structural engineer to finalize his part of the plans and then permitting. We hope to get going on it next month, so stay tuned!
XO,
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