Metro Tiles: The Ultimate Kitchen Wall Tile
Evoking the timeless design of the grand old metro systems of the world, such as the Paris Métro and the London Underground in its 1920s pomp, metro tiles have since come into their own as a design option for the discerning kitchen stylist. Their clean lines and simple design mean they fit into a huge array of different design themes – making them an ideal choice for your kitchen.
Here at Tiles Direct, we supply a wide range of metro tiles, so make sure to browse our full selection once you’ve explored our design ideas below.
Get inspired by metro tiles in the wild
A useful place to start when looking for inspiration for your kitchen is to look at the origin of metro tiles – metros and underground railway systems of the world, and how they use clean, utilitarian design alongside simple colour contrasts to liven up what is essentially a platform in a tunnel deep underground.
Take this example from the London Underground above. The simple combination of three colours – brown, white and red – combine to highlight the name of the station. This principle, using different colours and styles of metro wall tiles, can easily be extended to your kitchen – using bordering you could highlight a focal point, such as the cooker, with little effort and offering timeless style.
Combine fashion and function with a kitchen splashback
Choosing the right kitchen splashback tiles can be time-consuming and difficult, but lately, metro tiles have emerged as a strong frontrunner. They’re easy to clean, and often come in simple colours so that stains from a vigorously stirred saucepan can be easily identified and wiped off. Shake things up by arranging your tiles in a herringbone ‘V’ shape layout, or combining different colours like the metro wall pictured above. Whatever style you choose for your backsplash, metro tiles are definitely the best choice for your blank canvas.
Channel Scandinavian chic
Modern kitchen wall tiles, indeed all modern kitchen design aspects, are all largely influenced by Scandinavian design – which has been on-trend for a number of years. A very simple way to incorporate this into your kitchen design is to grid your tiles vertically for a clean, no-fuss look. Pair with some wooden kitchen cabinets for a splash of hygge homeliness and you’ll have a wholesome yet cutting-edge Scandi-inspired kitchen in no time.
Get the brick effect
Have you always wanted that exposed brick, converted warehouse look for your kitchen, but lacked the original features needed to make the look work? Fear not – metro tiles can offer the solution. Due to advances in printing technology, humble porcelain metro kitchen wall tiles can look exactly like the bespoke, in-demand exposed brick so beloved by interior designers – and they’re much easier to clean! Our Antico range is ideal for this – and with a range of faux brick shades available, you’ll find your perfect hue in no time.
Maximise space with the mirror effect
Metro tiles were originally utilised underground, so they have form in terms of being employed to maximise space. However, not everyone wants their small kitchen to look like Covent Garden underground station – they’re looking for something slightly more luxurious and bespoke.
Mirror-effect metro tiles fit the bill perfectly, as their reflective properties bend light around the room, making your kitchen shimmer with light. Pair with some filament bulb light fittings (if budget permits) to create a double-whammy glamourous speakeasy aesthetic that’ll make you want to sip gin from a jam jar while you cook!
Embrace colourful grout
We like grout very much here at Tiles Direct – we’d be useless without it. But why does it have to come in muted tones, you ask? The fact is, it doesn’t. Vibrantly coloured grout can be a real kitchen style statement. Paired with white metro tiles, a bright blue grout or a sharp orange would look superb – most bright colours look great with white, so let your imagination run wild and soon your unusually affixed tiles will be the talk of the town!
Opt for picture-perfect pastel shades
Pastel shades have been big for a while, with many kitchen designers going for different hues of the same colour to evoke the feeling of a relaxing space. While sharper, more vibrant colours work well with modern appliances, if yours are on the more rustic side, such as a fridge built into a wooden cabinet, pastel shades are a superior option.
Metro tiles are the perfect canvas for this, as their small size means you can get a full flush of colour across even the smallest kitchen. A colour calculator is always handy when it comes to choosing which subtle pastel colours to use alongside one another.
Be bold and build to the ceiling
While pastel shades are for subtle kitchen styling, a statement wall of metro tiles reaching the ceiling is probably just the opposite. Why shouldn’t the tiling stop at a certain point on the wall, and not reach the ceiling?
We believe the sky’s the limit. In a smaller space, this approach will make the room seem bigger due to metro tiles’ subtle reflective properties – and in a large space, it’ll make the room feel borderline palatial. A real opulent space, oozing with inspirational style from floor to ceiling.
Go retro with metro
Retro-style metro tiles, evoking a 1950s diner vibe, are an ideal option if you’ve got vintage-style appliances like a SMEG fridge or a ceramic-look kettle. Their bespoke, bevelled finish and subtle crackle glaze mean they look fantastic in a range of pastel colours which bring out the chrome on your retro kitchen gadgets. The only thing missing is the jukebox playing in the corner.
Frame your statement tiles
Pure white metro tiles are a fantastic choice on their own – there’s no doubt about it. But if you’re looking to incorporate a bespoke design, such as a custom mosaic or a few patterned tiles, an effective way to frame them is to use metro tiles – for example, by emphasising a unique mosaic with a few metro tiles of different colours. Pair with some powerful lighting to truly create a focal point in your kitchen – pointing towards your unique statement artwork, your metro tiles playing the role of the canvas.
Create contrast with dark hues
The last station on our metro line for today is dark. Very dark, punctuated with pearly white grout and in a variety of hues. Primarily a bathroom trend, opulent shades such as rich reds and deep purples are on trend for 2018 and look fantastic alongside ultra-modern recessed kitchen appliances. Evoking the feeling of a cutting-edge, futuristic kitchen (while also serving as a stylish throwback), a kitchen with these tiles is the kind of place where you’d slice up some tiny portions of sushi and serve them on a slate – alongside a plate of chips. To rev up the drama try using a glossy black metro tile – such as the Classic Black tile – to wholeheartedly embrace the darkness.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this run-through of some the different ways in which metro tiles can be used – but in reality, the possibilities are endless. Browse our full range today to find your perfect metro tile.
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