History of Subway Tile: From Tunnel to Timeless

What is Subway Tile?

Subway tile is among the most recognizable design elements in kitchens, bathrooms, and other interiors. The iconic rectangular 3x6 white tile has evolved into many more sizes, colors, and textures over the past century. Its clean lines and versatile nature make it a go-to option for many, whetheryou're installing a subway tile backsplash in the kitchen or choosing a sleek subway tile shower. Despite its popularity with homeowners, the tile originated in commercial spaces.

DIXON Arctic, Deep Sea 3x6 subway tile bathroom

Why is it called "Subway Tile"?

As you may have guessed, the name comes from it's original application, and not the sandwich. To uncover the roots of subway tiles, we need to travel back to New York City in the early 20th century. In 1904, architects George C. Heins and Christopher Grant La Farge were tasked with designing the interiors of the first subway stations in America. They envisioned a balance of form and functionality, hoping to make the newly developed method of underground transit sound more appealing to skeptics. Their solution? Bright white, glossy ceramic tiles, perfect for reflecting light in the dark underground spaces. The 3x6-inch format, now iconic, was chosen for its functionality and aesthetics. This design not only helped brighten the subway but also made it easier to clean—a critical feature at a time when sanitation was becoming a focus in public spaces.

Subway stations before New York City's system, such as those in London and Paris, were often criticized for their dirty, soot-filled environments, largely due to steam-powered trains and poor ventilation. Brick and mortar walls only exacerbated this issue. The grime and filth left passengers with a less-than-pleasant experience, making cleanliness a growing concern in urban design. NYC chose to adopt the newly invented electric underground trains from the beginning, intending to make the United State's first impression of subway systems a good one. The now-abandoned City Hall station became the first subway station in America, and the first use of subway tiles.

City Hall Station NYC | Image Source: Wikimedia

Tile for Hygiene: The Filth Theory

At the turn of the 20th century, society was deeply concerned with cleanliness, especially in the wake of new understandings of disease transmission, known as the  germ theory. Before this, the prevailing idea was the "filth theory," which posited that disease spread through dirty environments, identifiable by stench. Subway tile, with its smooth, stain-resistant surface, quickly became a symbol of hygiene and sanitation. The white subway tile used in the subway stations symbolized cleanliness, making it a natural choice for kitchens, hospitals, restaurants, and residential homes looking to emulate this new focus on hygiene.  Even today, subway tiles are still a popular choice for areas where cleanliness is paramount - such as subway tile kitchen backsplashes.

Times Square Subway Tile | Image Source: Wikimedia

While subway tile was born out of necessity, it didn't take long for its clean, simple linesto become an aesthetic choice. By the late 1920s, subway tile kitchen and subway tile bathroom installations were common in American homes, particularly in Victorian-era settings where the obsession with cleanliness met a desire for refined design. The adaptability of the 3x6 subway tile helped it remain popular through decades of evolving styles.

Source: Victorian-style bathroom at Flagler Hotel in St. Augustine by CEO Betty Sullivan

Evolution of Subway Tile

While subway tiles have remained fundamentally the same in size and shape, there have been plenty of stylistic evolutions. One of the earliest changes was the introduction of beveled subway tile, adding dimension to walls and enhancing light play. Later, crackled finishes, popularized by brands like ADEX, added visual texture and intrigue to the typically plain tile. Then, handmade & handmade-look subway tiles added depth and eclecticism to the tiles, creating a rustic, artisanal design. As more homeowners sought ways to bring uniqueness into their spaces, subway tiles adopted various finishes and styles.

Beveled	Crackled	Handmade

Modern Influences on Subway Tile

In recent years, subway tile has experienced a resurgence, with modern twists. Homeowners are now exploring larger formats, like the elongated 3x12 subway tile, completely transforming designs with their skinnier appearance. Vibrant hues, including green subway tile, blue subway tile, and even black subway tile, have all found their place in the home, shifting the classic neutral palette to something more adventurous. Then, vertically stacked subway tiles, where tiles are arranged directly on top of each other rather than in a staggered brick pattern, have also become a popular modern interpretation. Most recently, we've even begun to see linear texture in the form of fluted subway tiles, which add an unrivaled level of dimension and texture.

BOWERI Vert green subway tile

Subway Tile: Trendy or Timeless?

Subway tile has evolved from a simple, utilitarian choice to a design staple found in nearly every kind of interior. But is it trendy or timeless? The answer seems to be both. Subway tile has proven it can withstand the test of time, thanks to its adaptability. Whether it's the classic white subway tile backsplash kitchen or a modern subway tile shower with stacked gray subway tile, the versatility is unmatched. As trends come and go, subway tile's inherent simplicity and ability to work with different materials—like glass subway tile or porcelain subway tile—suggest that it's here to stay.

SHOP STOCK SUBWAY TILE

Check out these exciting & colorful subway tile collections, in-stock at our warehouse:

MATTONE	OVERLOOK	NOTTING HILL

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Austin Meyer has a hand in our blogs, email marketing, photography, video editing. copywriting, SEO, and website design, amongst other things. Austin has both an eye for the big picture and little details, and wields creativity and positivity in everything he does. Outside of work, you can find him at the gym, climbing mountains, working on his car, or creating content for social media.