Horizontal stacked subway tiles offer a simple design consisting of straight lines. It displays rows of tiles that are placed directly on top of each other. This form of laying tiles creates a minimalist appearance that is common among contemporary and mid-century home designs.
If you need help deciding between a modern or classic look, horizontally stacked subway tiles are ideal. They are versatile enough to work both ways. Furthermore, stacking tiles in a horizontal format rather than a vertical one creates the effect of making a narrow area appear wider.
In this article, we will share with you a wide selection of design ideas for horizontally stacked subway tiles so you can enhance the appeal of your home. When laid correctly, this tile display can elevate your interior and help to pull together the other elements in the room. It is wonderful for decorators to work with a budget, as it calls for a smaller amount of tiles than most other patterns. It is also ideal for those who enjoy striking and bright colors. Horizontal subway tiles pair perfectly with bold and beautiful colors like blue.
Why Is the Stacked Subway Design So Trendy?
- For starters, it is cheaper to install, due to the smaller amount of tile pieces required, compared to many other design options. Stacked subway tiles are also a popular and economical tile option. They come in a huge selection of sizes, shapes, hues, and materials. Conveniently, they are easily found online or at local home improvement retailers.
- Stacked subway tiles pair amazingly with vibrant and bold colors, effortlessly bringing an interior to life and building its character. It doesn’t just pair well with light or neutral tones but goes far beyond doing so. If you don’t prefer to stack them horizontally, other options include vertical or diagonal layouts.
- If installed horizontally, subway tiles can widen up a narrow room. If installed vertically, they can appear to add height to a room instead. Determine what your space-related concerns are before considering which of these roads you would rather take.
- The stacked subway tile design will keep trending for some time. It is a modern version of the more traditional staggered subway tile layout. Subway tiles have been largely used for many years, from public spaces like subway stations to various parts of the home, like kitchens and bathrooms. Like most other styles, the traditional subway tile design has transformed over the years while remaining a timeless classic.
Horizontal Stacked Subway Tile Versus Horizontal Staggered Subway Tile
There are two primary methods of laying horizontal subway tiles. One of them is the horizontally stacked subway tile. Each tile is placed directly on top of the other in this format. There is no offset in placement, which creates a simple and sharp gridlike appearance. The alternate option is the horizontal staggered subway tile. This layout consists of each row having a 50% offset to the row above or below it. In other words, the rows of tiles don’t directly line up with each other.
- Horizontally stacked subway tile: This style is a more modern choice, where each tile is installed immediately above the one below it, without an offset or “stagger” in how it is placed. The stacked method creates a sharp and clean appearance, where all the rows and columns are consistent and parallel to each other. It’s perfect for minimalists but can appear too bland if not complemented with the right selection of decor.
- Horizontal staggered subway tile: This format of laying subway tiles is the more traditional approach of the two. In this case, each tile is placed so that its edge sits directly above the center, or the halfway mark, of the one below it. In this case, perpendicular lines are present just as parallel ones are. Horizontal staggered subway tiles create the illusion of width. It’s great for narrow spaces, which as a result, appear wider than they are. On the other hand, it can seem very busy and less “clean,” so the different elements of your space will have to compensate for that.
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Use Reflective Horizontal Tiles, As Mirrors Create the Illusion of Space
Here is an example of stacked mosaic tiles that add futuristic energy to this pantry and bar design. The mirrored horizontal backsplash contrasts with the dark cabinets and shelves; this tile appears even more lustrous and striking. This kitchen is perfect for people who consider themselves trendsetters. It’s bold and dramatic; it’s everything you could want.
This bathroom radiates a zen and tranquil energy like no other. These terracotta color tiles have a glossy finish, and they boast various shades of brown – both light and dark. This bathroom design boasts a daring combination of both horizontal and vertical stacked tile shower, adding just the right touch of sass. The brilliant white of the floating countertop and sink harmoniously complement the walls.
The blue and white ceramic tiles shown here emit a sublime floral-inspired design, where no two tiles are exactly the same. This kitchen wall is more than a wall – it’s a captivating work of art. The darker elements of this kitchen, like the sink, allow the horizontal subway tiles to pop and even work as a focal point.
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Combine Hexagon Floor Tiles with Striking Blue Subway Wall Tiles
This bathroom features a sublime combination of white hexagon floor tiles and blue subway wall tiles. The classic subway tiles display various shades of striking blue and add a pop of vibrance to the bathroom. They lie in a horizontally stacked format, creating a sharp and clean grid like appearance, elevating the modernity and refinement of this interior design.
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Opt for a Bright Horizontal Subway Tile Color Like Yellow
Variations of yellow found in the shower tiles here range from a deep mustard-like tone to a brighter, sunnier hue. The rainfall shower gives this bathroom a spa-like feel. Oversized tile floors come in a dark blue that makes the yellow pop all the more. White horizontal subway tiles add a sense of balance to the space.
The cool blue horizontal subway tiles in this dreamy bathroom come in a glossy and wavy structured finish. They only reach halfway up the wall, with the exception of the beam. Do not underestimate the power of placing plants, especially flowers, in your space. The orchid adds a perfect final touch to amp up the beauty and tranquility.
These gorgeous handmade Spanish horizontal subway tiles offer a more subtle and toned-down look. The name of the color, “Blanc,” certainly fits, as they come in various shades of white. Natural materials like wood, along with simple features like the knobs and lighting, are consistent with the theme of minimalism. They do a delightful job of tying the entire design together.
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Choose Ceramic Horizontal Subway Tiles in a Shade That Emits Oceanic Vibes
The stunning stacked subway tile shower in horizontal pattern comes in a captivating light blue-green hue that reminds us of the ocean. With an oversized window to create a room full of sunlight, an elegant bathroom sink, and polished gold-toned accents found throughout the room, most of us would never want to leave. This bathroom takes the act of self-care to a whole other level.
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Narrow White Horizontal Subway Tiles Create a Simple and Clean Look
This bathroom is brilliant, cheerful, eccentric, and chic. Minimalistic horizontal subway tiles in the shower give it a nice and clean effect. Floor tiles that come in a hexagon pattern balance out the simplicity of the shower tiles. Floating shelves add a pop of added elegance as they create space, not only for decor but potentially for bathroom essentials.
White subway tile with black grout boasts simple, crisp, and clean grid-like lines. A pair of folding wall sconces amp up the flair of this magnificent kitchen. Dark cabinets balance out the light color of the walls. It’s a work in progress, as the designer is considering installing a heart pine shelf similar to the scrap of wood on the counter.
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These Horizontal Subway Tiles Are Part of a Serene White Kitchen
The 2”x8” sized tiles in this all-white kitchen backsplash make the space look simply radiant. Modern industrial farmhouse-inspired hanging pendant lamps come in an utterly sophisticated matte black finish. The brackets of the newly installed shelves are consistent with this theme of black. A brand new window was carefully selected with the motive of bringing in more sunlight.
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The Black and White Theme of This Kitchen Exhibits Flawless Elegance
The subway tiles pictured here only go halfway up the walls to work better with the stylish vaulted ceiling. This kitchen is also primarily white in color, with a careful selection of tasteful black, wood, and brass-toned accents. One example of such an accent is the dual-hanging pendant lamps over the brilliant white kitchen island countertop.
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A White and Gold Color Scheme Makes This Bathroom Fit for Royalty
Here’s another example of white horizontal stacked subway tile designs executed in the most impeccable fashion. A white, gold, and brass color scheme emits royal energy ranging from the his-and-her dual sinks with gold faucets to brand-new wall sconces. As a finishing touch, the designer opts for some artwork and a succulent to adorn the plentiful counter space.
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Create a Custom Vanity with a Stacked Subway Tile Backsplash
Behold an awe-inspiring vanity with white horizontal stacked subway tiles. This bathroom also features his-and-hers dual sinks and stunning accent blue and black “Double Loa” sconces that feature the only pop of color in the room. The rest of the space is filled with blacks, whites, and some gray. This bathroom is simple and modern- perfect for minimalists.
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These Stacked Shower Tiles Follow a Theme of Soft White Elements
If you have a more compact-sized bathroom with limited natural light, the wise path to take would be to stick to lighter and brighter colors. Doing so creates the illusion of a larger space. Raw materials like the wood under the sink and as well as the floors add a sprinkle of zen to this alluring bathroom design.
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Go Dark with Your Choice of Horizontal Shower Subway Tiles
This bathroom design contrasts heavily with most of the other ideas we’ve covered so far. In this one, the tiles flaunt a very dark color in an elegant honed finish. It’s a focal point of the bathroom, as the rest of the walls are a simple white tone. The vanity radiates striking glamor, and there’s a charming little eucalyptus plant to top the look off.
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Add Floating Shelves to Complete the Look of Your Stacked Subway Tiles
Brilliant white horizontal stacked tile backsplashes pair well with the convenient yet chic floating shelves in natural wood and color. A charming folding wall sconce illuminates the space with an elegant, polished black finish. The matte black curio cabinets do more than simply add the convenience of storage; they elevate the class of this kitchen design.
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The Gray Stacked Subway Tile Applications with White Grout Lines Create a Sleek Space
The designer of this bathroom opts for a frameless glass shower sliding door to help open up the tight space. Beyond the glass sliders is a stunning display of light gray horizontal stacked subway tiles with vibrant white grout lines. The elements of this bathroom are subtle, cool, and sleek, helping it meet its potential.
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Make Your Moody Maximalist Dream Come True with Dark Subway Tiles
This art-deco-inspired bathroom is a moody minimalist’s dream come true. It flaunts a stunning selection of gold-toned elements that pop against the deeper colors of the matte walls. The horizontally stacked shower subway tiles display a gorgeous dark blue-green that matches. A stunning vintage-style vanity features a tall mirror and a marble countertop sink dripping in gold.
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Decorate Your Poolside Bathroom with a Fun Shade of Subway Tile That Matches the Water
This poolside bathroom has been brought to life with the most vibrant pop of color. The horizontally stacked subway tiles in this design boast the most striking and bright shade of aquamarine. It works wonders amongst the white elements surrounding it, ranging from the bathtub to the walls. The natural material adds a charming touch with a wood countertop sink.
FAQs
What Does Stacked Tile Mean?
Stacked tile refers to the installation method of placing tiles in a straight, vertical, or horizontal arrangement without any staggered or offset pattern. It involves aligning the edges of the tiles to create clean, continuous lines.
This installation style is commonly used with subway tiles. It is when the tiles are placed directly on top of one another. Horizontally stacked subway tiles offer a simple and modern appearance, giving importance to a minimalist and geometric fashion. A stacked layout requires each tile to be placed immediately on top of the one beneath it. When laid in this way, there are no staggers or offsets in the placement. Each side of a tile must be uniform with the sides of the surrounding tiles. It makes a home interior look and feel contemporary, eccentric, simple, and symmetrical in nature.
Is Stacked Subway Tile the More Contemporary Choice?
Yes, there is always some stacked or staggered subway tile debate. But the stacked subway tiles are the more contemporary option. It is a newer version of the timeless classic staggered subway tile. Although both layouts are similar, stacked tiles add sharp and clean lines to the look of a wall, creating modern energy. When installing stacked subway tiles, being precise is a must. Imperfections are obvious, so make sure to avoid them. Furthermore, this tile installation method commonly exists in bathroom walls and kitchen backsplashes. Its versatility makes it easy to pair with many home interior designs.
Can You Install Subway Tiles Vertically?
Yes, you can certainly install subway tiles in a vertical fashion. This is a great choice for designers who want to take the road less traveled. It’s a creative and stunning way to make your home feel like it’s consistent with your personality. Here are three significant benefits of choosing a vertical layout:
- For those who love to stand out from the crowd, vertically stacked subway tiles are less common and more unique.
- It is versatile and pairs wonderfully with various colors and home interior designs.
- The vertical tile layout heightens the space, making rooms feel taller. If one of your biggest issues is a ceiling that doesn’t feel high enough, this installation method may be the best for you.
