7 Takes On a Dreamy White Subway Tile Bathroom

In the bathroom, white subway tile is the perfect backdrop for classic or contemporary looks

It’s no wonder why more and more homeowners are using white subway tile in a bathroom. Its texture ranges from smooth and beveled to a handmade feel, while its bright appearance can contrast nicely with many color palettes. They are simple yet versatile pieces that give these seven Sweeten bathroom renovations a polished and modern look, unique to each homeowner.

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A classic New York look

California transplants, Jeremy and Chris, landed their first apartment in Manhattan’s Hudson Yards neighborhood. As an ode to old New York, their black and white bathroom featured subway tile and a hex floor tile. Design tip: Thin trim in black runs through the subway tile giving the large canvas some interest.

White subway tile in a bathroom as a focal point

Sweeten homeowners Terri and Brett, both architects, added a little luxe to their guest bathroom. Marble subway tile in a variety of whites and shades of gray gives the space a lot of movement. The rest of the materials are streamlined and simple allowing the tile to be the bathroom’s main feature. 

A soft look in light gray

Sweeten homeowner Allyson always intended to renovate her 1920s East Flatbush Brooklyn home to be more true to her creative and vibrant personality. She posted her renovation on Sweeten, which included her full bathroom. She worked with her Sweeten contractor to select pieces that would match the vintage, mid-century modern, Afrocentrist, brass, and natural wood style that she envisioned. With so many different pieces and styles being added, she looked for simple tiling as a backdrop. Her solution: off-white marble-honed subway tiles.

White subway tiles: elongated and elegant

Nazli and Larry undertook a gut renovation on their Brooklyn brownstone in the Bedford Historic District. They wanted to transform the space into a home that matched the needs and personality of their family. 

Since Nazli’s mom was a regular visitor, they renovated the guest bathroom to be warm and welcoming. One of Nazli’s favorite things about the guest bath is the white subway tiles that were added to the shower walls: “I love these subway tiles. They are just varied enough to give them a real handmade look rather than the flat subway tiles we usually see.” Nazli says her only regret is not using them in more spots throughout the house.

Subway tiles in upward mobility

Janna and her family gutted their crowded and crumbling bathroom in Morningside Heights, Manhattan. One of the main reasons for the renovation was a seven-foot tub that consumed most of the space. Limited space left little storage and a messy bathroom. On top of that, the fixtures were all old and in need of an upgrade. 

Despite the remodel, she still had an appreciation for the pre-war building and wanted to maintain that feel. Janna carefully selected the materials to achieve a refreshed and spacious bathroom, without compromising the pre-war aesthetic. Janna’s first tile choice cost $12,000, something that was not in her budget. Instead, she chose a white subway tile laid out in a jaunty vertical herringbone design. The pattern added an interesting element to the bathroom in the industrial look she was looking for. 

Bevel white subway tiles

A bathroom leak forced Sweeten homeowners Katie and Lance to renovate. They took this opportunity to redo the bathroom tile design for a refined and elegant aesthetic, while still maintaining a budget. To do so, they chose bevel white subway tiles for their walls and the tub exterior.

Boho vibes with salvage and wood

An upstairs leak ruined the ceiling of his 1940’s era co-op bathroom, prompting architect Brian Kaplan to renovate. So, he turned to Sweeten for help to get it done.

For inspiration, Brian looked to the luxurious spaces he had seen while traveling abroad on business. The result: a bathroom mixed with vintage charm and modern luxury. Brian chose floor-to-ceiling classic white subway tiles in the bathroom. It complements the blue accent pieces for an old-world feel.

When you’re ready to get started on your bathroom or home remodel, work with Sweeten to renovate with the best contractors.

A note on fixture and appliance deliveries: If you’re on a tight timeline, Appliances Connection has over 50,000 items in stock and ready to ship nationally. If you’re in the NY/NJ metro area, in-stock items typically deliver within 2-3 days.

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Sweeten handpicks the best general contractors to match each project’s location, budget, scope, and style. Follow the blog, Sweeten Stories, for renovation ideas and inspiration and when you’re ready to renovate, start your renovation with Sweeten.