Longevity is a desirable quality in tile - but there’s more to longevity than hardwearing materials that can handle their fair share of wear and tear. At Tiles Direct, we’d say lasting beauty is just as important as durability - and sometimes, this means foregoing heavy patterns in favour of something timeless and evergreen. If you’re looking for tiles guaranteed to stand the test of time, we’ve got just the thing.
Metro tiles (otherwise known as subway tiles or underground tiles) offer an ideal way to revitalise tired interiors - from kitchens and bathrooms to living rooms and hallways. Find out more about their cultural roots and design potential right here.
In the early 1900s, the walls of London and New York’s Underground stations were famously adorned with plain, white, brick-shaped tiles - a powerful, timeless look that birthed the name ‘metro tiles’, which is still used to this day. Due to their simple, slick, minimalist look, these popular wall tiles are among the most versatile on the market - and thanks to their iconic origins, they’re also the epitome of contemporary chic.
Instantly recognisable by their slim brick shape - generally being twice or three times as wide as they are tall - metro tiles are highly sought-after in the world of interior design, especially as they’re available in a broad spectrum of shades (meaning they can be effectively paired with all kinds of colour schemes and design themes). Metro tiles are, however, almost exclusively sold in plain designs using block colours - a quality which allows them to play a powerful supporting role in a room’s overall aesthetic.
Whether you’re looking to brighten up your bathroom with a striking new feature wall in an eye-catching colour or refresh your kitchen with a perfectly practical splashback, metro tiles offer a multifunctional solution to all kinds of interior decorating dilemmas.
The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms of the house and, naturally, the most prone to stains, splashes and other spillages - making metro kitchen tiles an ideal basis for a fuss-free splashback. Offering a winning combination of uncomplicated good looks and an easy-to-clean surface, metro tiles eliminate the maintenance issues typically associated with paint or wallpaper in this kind of environment.
The same can also be said in the bathroom, where practicality reigns and simple, enduring beauty is generally the goal of any design overhaul. Enhance the area behind your bathroom sink with metro wall tiles in a complementary colour, or introduce an accent shade by treating your shower room to a tiled border embodying the bold beauty of the Underground.
When you’re designing and decorating a room from scratch, finding a range of truly complementary design elements - from furniture and flooring to wall art and accessories - is no easy feat. Thankfully, the simple and adaptable aesthetic of metro tiles means they’re able to bring out the best in any room - so you won’t need to start by finding tiles you love before planning everything else around them.
With colour options including monochrome favourites white, grey and black, as well as bolder shades such as red, green and blue, if you’ve already begun mapping out your dream home design, your metro brick tiles will fall right into place.
The customisation options don’t stop at colour, though. When it comes to shape and size, you can also base the tiles you buy on what works best for your home. Daintier room designs are best matched with mini metro tiles - while larger alternatives in pale colours like cream or light grey are ideal if you’re looking to create the illusion of additional space in your modestly sized property.
Found a subway tile that suits you? Simply add to your basket and head straight to the checkout. If you’re still deciding, you can order a sample online for just 99p and get a closer look before you commit to buying in bulk. Explore our metro wall tiles range today to bring some classic cool into your contemporary home.
