Subway Tile Styles Ultimate Guide

Subway tile is a classic and versatile option for any home design. It’s been around for over a century, but its popularity has surged in recent years. Subway tile is a trendy yet timeless option for any space, and with so many styles to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect fit for your home. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular subway tile styles available today.

Colored Subway Tile

While white subway tile is the classic choice, colored subway tiles are becoming more popular. You can find subway tiles in almost any color you can imagine, from muted pastels to bright and bold hues. Colored subway tiles can add a playful and fun element to any space

Glass Subway Tile

Looking to add a modern touch to your space? Consider glass subway tile! This style of subway tile is clean, fresh, and gives off a contemporary vibe that sets it apart from other subway tile styles. It’s available in a variety of cool colors like green and charcoal, as well as classic white.

While glass subway tile may be a bit more expensive than other options, the added cost is definitely worth it for the sleek and stylish look it provides. Plus, glass tile is easy to clean and maintain, making it a practical choice for high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Handmade Subway Tile

Handmade subway tiles are unique and one-of-a-kind. They are made by skilled artisans who shape and glaze each tile by hand. The irregularities and variations in the tiles create a beautiful and organic look. Handmade subway tiles are available in a range of colors, textures, and finishes.

Large Format Subway Tile

Large format subway tiles are a modern twist on the classic subway tile. They come in a variety of sizes, including 4×8, 4×12, and even 6×12. Large format subway tiles can create a bold and dramatic effect in a space.

Mini Subway Tile Styles

Mini subway tile is taking the design world by storm! This miniature 2×4 tile format comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, making it the perfect choice for any home. While it may not be teeny-tiny, the smaller format still packs a big design punch and adds a dramatic touch to any space.

However, it’s worth noting that installing mini subway tile is a bit more time-consuming than installing regular 3×6 tile. But the end result is well worth the extra effort. Mini subway tile is a versatile option that can be used for a variety of applications, from kitchen backsplashes to bathroom walls.

Marble Subway Tile

If you’re looking to add a touch of class to your home, consider a marble subway tile backsplash. The elegant beauty of marble combined with the classic look of subway tile creates a timeless aesthetic that is sure to impress.

This particular Greecian marble subway tile is a steal at only $5.99 per square foot. The affordable price point makes it an attractive option for anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen or bathroom without breaking the bank.

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Looking for renovation services in Louisville, Florence, or Cincinnati? Look no further than Builders Surplus! We’re a full-service renovation company that specializes in interior design, kitchen and bathroom remodels, building materials, and home improvement. We’re proud to be the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile, and backsplash tile in the area.

At Builders Surplus, we offer a free interior design and measurement service to our clients, and we sell building materials to fit every budget, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top-of-the-line Wellborn cabinets. Plus, we don’t just sell building materials – we also offer installation services.

If you’re ready to start your renovation project or just have some questions, we encourage you to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers. We’re always happy to share our knowledge with clients and potential home renovators.

And if you’re looking for inspiration or advice, be sure to check out our blog! We cover a wide range of topics, including interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. Thanks for considering Builders Surplus for your renovation needs – we can’t wait to work with you!

Updated 2023 : Todd Bauer

August 29, 2017

The perfect mosaic tile shower combinations

Hi Everyone! Today we’re going to be talking about the best combinations of shower tile and mosaic tile to form the perfect mosaic tile shower! Some people choose to stick with one tile in their shower, and while that’s ok, I think that adding a mosaic is a perfect way to make it pop!
When deciding to do a mosaic tile shower, the combinations can be endless, and often times leave you feeling confused. What will look the best with my main tile? What will be easy to install if doing this myself? Well today, we’re going to answer those questions for you! We’ll give you a variety of ideas that you can use in your own mosaic tile shower.

Mosaic Tile Shower Combos We Love

1. Satuary Matte 12×24 Tile with Arctic Cloud Glass and Stone Mosaic Tile Shower

This is such a clean, modern look! The Satuary Matte has movement and while the extra large strip of mosaic tile makes this shower one that really stands out! Find these tiles in store!

2. Cafe SS38 Tile and Basketweave Mosaic Tile Shower

This is a very traditional look, but one that many people wouldn’t think would be a great fit together! I love the detail of the basketweave mosaic paired with the simplicity of the tan Cafe tile. These products are in stock and ready to take home!

3. Eramosa Silver and Highland Park Morning Fog Subway Tile Shower

This shower can be done with the popular Eramosa Silver 12×24 tile and Highland Park Morning fog subway tile. They chose to do two strips in rows of three, which is not what you would typically see, but it looks great! The colors blend so nicely that it is a subtle accent. Find these tiles in stock!

4. White Marble and White Penny Mosaic Tile Shower

This shower design done by Coates Homes, and boy does it look spectacular! You can achieve this same look with our white marble tile and white penny mosaic! Adding the thick strip of mosaic at the bottom is a different look, but gives the view from the bath tub a little something extra! A very high end and elegant look.

5. Carrara Marble Subway Tile with Marble Herringbone and Blanco Carrara & Glass Mosaic Tile Shower

This shower is AMAZING! We saw this stunner at Homearama 2016 and it is probably the biggest shower i’ve ever seen. We don’t expect this to be what you’re working with in your home, (If it is, then you lucky dog) but you can take a style cue and use the same or similar tiles to achieve this look in your own shower. Vertical Carrara marble subway tiles or larger marble tiles paired with a marble herringbone and marble interlocking mosaic will really make your shower one to remember! Adding a cool mosaic to your insert is always a great idea, and if your shower is stand alone, go for a fun pattern on the floor!

6. Legend Blanco and Black and White Pebbles Mosaic Tile Shower

The Legend Blanco tile is one of our best sellers, and for good reason! It looks great on the floor as well as the walls. I recently did my shower in this tile and love the way it turned out! They used a really cool pebble mosaic for a very earthy, nautical look.

7. White Subway Tile and Colored Pennies Mosaic Tile Shower

What a fun shower! Subway tile is a favorite choice for any project because of it’s versatility. It will coordinate with any accent tile, and style of room, any color scheme. They have taken this tile to a new level by adding the colorful penny mosaic! I love the multiple strips of varying heights. It gives it a very carefree vibe.

8. Ivory and 1×1 Glass Mosaic Tile Shower

This shower is modern, yet traditional, with a little bit of fun! The creamy Ivory tile pairs perfectly with the neutral colored 1×1 mosaic! The rest of this bathroom is grey, so it really ties the two colors together. Mosaic is a great way to make your look cohesive. Find both of these tiles in store!

9. 4×16 White Subway Tile with Silver Grey Mixed Glass Mosaic Tile

This shower really makes a statement! The 4×16 subway tile is a hot item right now and I love the way it looks. It gives you the same feel as a traditional subway tile but mixes it up a bit. This mosaic tile is high impact! The silver, grey and black make it a very modern feel.

Which is your favorite mosaic tile shower combination? Do you have pictures of your own shower to share? Post them in the comments! Thanks for reading, and if you have any additional questions about tile showers, don’t hesitate to ask!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of bathroom vanities, floor tile, backsplash tile, and cabinet hardware in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

May 23, 2017

10 Best Backsplash Tile Choices For Your Home

Backsplash tile is my favorite of all renovation materials! As a renovation lover, that’s saying a lot, but it’s true! Backsplash tile or wall tile is one of those things that can completely transform your space. Switching out a backsplash can change the whole vibe of your room as well, without touching the larger things like cabinets, countertops or bathroom vanities. It’s useful as well as aesthetic, making it a great investment in your home. We’re going to cover our top 10 best backsplash tile choices for the year. Get ready to find a new favorite!

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Top 10 Backsplash Tile For 2017

1. Brick Tile

Click to see Brick Tile Options!

Brick backsplash tile and wall tile has been on the rise since early 2016, but it’s only growing in popularity. This is hands down my favorite new backsplash tile. In the past, it was hard to get this product as a tile. Now, this high quality porcelain comes in a white, taupe, and red brick. It can work with a modern, rustic, industrial, farmhouse or cottage style space with ease!

2. Wood Look Tile

Click to see more wood look tile options!

Wood look tile is not always something that people think of when deciding on a backsplash tile. But that doesn’t mean it’s not an awesome choice! This large format tile gives a very rustic look and adds something really special to your home. It also looks great in bathrooms or as a shower surround!

3. Herringbone

Click to see herringbone tile options!

Herringbone is one of the hottest patterns out right now. You can do a herringbone with brick, subway tile or you can buy a mesh back tile that already has the herringbone pattern like this one above!

4. Pennies

Click to see Penny Backsplash Options!

Pennies are a great backsplash tile choice for your kitchen or bathroom. It is very simple but can add an understated elegance that will give your space a subtle pop. We carry bright white with a glossy finish, a black glossy, or a matte white. Pennies can look vintage or modern depending on the other pieces in the room.

5. Hexagon

Click to see more hexagon tile options!

Hexagon tile is one of my favorite tile options! This shape is very very popular, not only for backsplash tile, but for flooring as well. There are so many different materials, such as a simple white ceramic or marble hexagon tile, or this tile above with multiple finishes and colors. It’s always a stunning choice that won’t soon go out of style.

6. Colored Subway Tile

Click to see more subway tile options!

Colored subway tile is a great twist on a classic backsplash tile. The arctic ice above is a lovely choice, as well as the morning fog or charcoal glass. It adds a great pop of color and freshness to your space without being too overpowering.

7. Arabesque Tile

Click to see arabesque tile!

Arabesque tile is still on the rise, and I am thrilled! I love this tile and it’s beautiful shape. It adds a very feminine and elegant feel to your kitchen or bathroom. However, you may want to work with a professional on the installation, because it’s not so easy for a beginner to DIY.

8. 1×1 Glass Mosaic

Click to see more mesh back tile options!

Glass mosaics have been popular for a while, but the 1×1 is really on the top of the list this year. It adds so much visual interest and variation. It’s pretty easy to install and it comes in so many different color combinations and finishes that you’re sure to find the right one for your home.

9. White Subway Tile with Dark Grout

Click to see more subway tile options!

White subway tile has never really gone out of style. It always has been, and always will be, a classic design staple. My favorite variation on this look is to add a dark grout instead of the traditional white. While it doesn’t quite cover all the little imperfections that a white grout would, it makes the backsplash tile really pop and gives it a very vintage and nostalgic look. This can also work in a modern space.

10. Ledger Panels

Click here to see all the ledge stone options!

Ledger panels, or ledge stone, is another tile choice that is not always the first thing you might think of for your kitchen. I really love ledge stone because it gives it a very craftsman or rustic look, while still remaining classy and elegant. It comes in so many different colors that you can easily match your cabinets no matter what their finish might be.

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While there are soooo many more backsplash tile options, these 10 sure steal the show for me this year! What’s your favorite look for backsplash tile? Let us know in the comments below!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are one of the leading providers of kitchen cabinets, kitchen countertops, backsplash tile, and cabinet hardware in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

March 28, 2017

Mesh Back Tile: Backsplash Made Quick & Easy

Why Use Backsplash Tile:

Nothing makes quite a statement in such a small space like mosaic backsplash tile. So if your kitchen’s down in the dumps, give it a quick boost of beauty with a tile backsplash. Backsplash tile is usually fairly inexpensive, although you can get into some very pricey pieces if you look at a high end store. I’ve seen $74 per square foot backsplash tile, all the way down to a few dollars a square foot, like we carry here at Builders Surplus. Most people don’t have a ton of square footage above their cabinets, so this is a very cost effective project that will be worth it’s weight in RIO gold.

Why Some People Think Backsplash Is Expensive:

Some backsplash can get expensive, depending on the type that you choose. But where it can get even more pricey is when you factor in the labor of installation. I know some installers that charge a flat rate of $400 or $500, regardless of the size of the kitchen. Other professionals charge about $20 per sq. ft. in addition to the materials, so learning how to tile yourself can be a big money saver!

It can be a pretty intimidating project if you’re a renovation newbie. If you are new to tiling, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it, but you should choose an easy and DIY friendly tile for your first crack at it. Stay away from materials like slate that will crumble easily when you cut them. A ceramic, porcelain, stone or even glass tile will all be solid choices for this. Don’t choose an intricate pattern, such as an arabesque. Even though it may be a mesh back, the cuts will be complicated and you will likely get frustrated and quit, or worse, do a haphazard job that you have to live with for years to come. If you don’t own a wet saw, you’ll need to rent one, but you can do that from a Home Depot of Lowes for a decent price.

Mesh Back Tile: The Best For The Job

Most mosaic tiles are now what they call mesh back tile. Mosaic tile can look difficult to install because there are so many small pieces, but it’s quite the opposite, actually. Mesh back tile and mosaic tiles typically come mounted on 12 x 12-sheets, which makes your installation super quick, especially compared to other types of backsplash. You can install the tile on Saturday and then grout it on Sunday.

These mosaic patterns are mounted together with a mesh backing. Why is this good for you? Easy. Because the mesh backing comes to about 1 square foot each, your working with a much bigger “tile”, meaning that you have less tiles to place. This makes the job go much quicker. When you’re using a backsplash tile, you may have to lay about 6 tiles to cover what one mesh back tile sheet would cover. When you factor in getting your tile adhesive on each one, adding multiple spacers, and adjusting each tile individually to make sure that they are completely straight, you’ve spend quite a lot of time. With mesh back tile, it’s line up, press and move on. Not only does mesh back cover a larger space, but it’s usually easier to cut. Sometimes you get lucky and you don’t have to do much cutting with a tile saw. If your mosaic is the right size, you might get away with just having to use a utility knife to cut the mesh backing to make the sheets fit. However, you rarely get away with zero cuts, but you do have a chance of cutting much less with mesh back tile.
Some mesh back tiles need grout, while others don’t. If you choose a mesh back tile that doesn’t need grout, you’re already saving money. Cutting down on your installation costs has already got you backsplashin’ on a budget, so that’s just another win.

Mesh back tile has come a long way in ease of installation. There are an unlimited number of styles, colors, and materials in mosaic mesh back tiles. What’s your favorite mesh back tile shown above? Send us pictures of your mesh back tile backsplash!

Builders Surplus is a full service renovation company with locations in Louisville, Kentucky, and Newport, Kentucky, which also serves Cincinnati, Ohio. We are the leading provider of Ledge Stone, wall tile and backsplash tile in Louisville, Newport, and Cincinnati. We specialize in interior design, kitchen design, bathroom remodel, building materials, and home improvement. Interior Design and measurements come as a free service to our clients. We sell building materials ranging in every price point, from unfinished kitchen cabinets to top of the line Wellborn cabinets. In addition to interior design, we also offer installation services. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free design consultation with one of our interior designers, we would encourage you to do so. We love sharing our knowledge with clients & potential home renovators. We write about interior design, home decor, decorating ideas, and home improvement. We hope you’ll check back in for our next article! Happy Renovation!

Written By: Allie Bloyd

July 4, 2016

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Colored Subway Tile

Glass Subway Tile

Handmade Subway Tile

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Large Format Subway Tile

Mini Subway Tile Styles

<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-31946 size-full lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/builderssurplus.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Mini-subway-tile.png?resize=559%2C435&#038;ssl=1" alt="Mini-subway-tile-styles" width="559" height="435" data-recalc-dims="1" />

Marble Subway Tile

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Mosaic Tile Shower Combos We Love

1. Satuary Matte 12×24 Tile with Arctic Cloud Glass and Stone Mosaic Tile Shower

<img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-30180 lazyload" src="https://i0.wp.com/builderssurplus.us/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/marble-and-1x1.png?resize=660%2C880&#038;ssl=1" alt="" width="660" height="880" data-recalc-dims="1" />

2. Cafe SS38 Tile and Basketweave Mosaic Tile Shower

3. Eramosa Silver and Highland Park Morning Fog Subway Tile Shower

4. White Marble and White Penny Mosaic Tile Shower

5. Carrara Marble Subway Tile with Marble Herringbone and Blanco Carrara & Glass Mosaic Tile Shower

6. Legend Blanco and Black and White Pebbles Mosaic Tile Shower

7. White Subway Tile and Colored Pennies Mosaic Tile Shower

8. Ivory and 1×1 Glass Mosaic Tile Shower

9. 4×16 White Subway Tile with Silver Grey Mixed Glass Mosaic Tile

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Why Use Backsplash Tile:

Why Some People Think Backsplash Is Expensive:

Mesh Back Tile: The Best For The Job

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