Sub-what-way tiles

I may be the only person in existence who hates subway tiles. I think they’re boring and safe, and they literally make me feel like I’m in a subway station (I spent enough time in those during my University years!)

But I want to tile the bottom part of the walls in the cottage bathroom, and I have to use small tiles because the walls aren’t perfectly smooth and flat and hubby said there would be problems with using larger tiles. So, 3” x 6” subway tiles it is. But I don’t want to do the typical subway tile pattern.

So I’ve been doing some googling and looking for other layout options. I really like the herringbone layout, but it may be a bit busy for the bathroom.

Image via HGTV Canada

 

Image via Lowes

 
I LOVE the look of this vertical stacked layout with accent tiles. I reminds me of plaid.

Image via This Old House 

 
There’s also the horizontally stacked layout, but it’s more modern feel may not be right for the cottage.

Image via Westside Tile and Stone

Vertically stacked too.

Transitional Kitchen by Portland Architects & Building Designers Howells Architecture + Design, LLC

 
I think this is what I’m going to go with – a 1/3 offset layout.

 Image via Lowes

Although I just saw this layout a few days ago night, and I kind of like it too. It looks like it may be 1/5 offset.

Image via The Block Glasshouse

What’s your favourite subway tile layout?

To see some other cool layout ideas for subway tiles, check out 10 creative ways to use subway tile.