The 10 Best White Subway Tiles -

You’d think that finding the perfect white subway tile for your kitchen backsplash or bathroom would be easy. Heck no. Warm, cool, soft, bright – so many whites and so many SUPPLIERS to choose from!

Not to mention trying to coordinate everything else in your kitchen or bathroom – cabinet colors, countertops, and wall colors. It’s a lot to think about.

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Thank goodness you have me (just joking… kind of). Seriously, though, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite white subway tiles for the following surfaces…

Kitchen backsplash for white, colored, or wood cabinets
Shower surround
Laundry room backsplash

Or wherever the heck you want. But first, I have some guidance (because I am a bossy lil’ Ginger)…

TO MAKE IT EASIER…

Rather than sending you all over Hell’s 1/2 acre (let’s be honest, dude has way more than 1/2 an acre), I’ve done all the groundwork for you.

I’ve rounded up all of these tiles from ONE MAGICAL PLACE*, so you don’t need to run around to every tile store collecting random samples and the common cold.
You get front-door delivery… tomorrow.
If you haven’t chosen your cabinet color or countertop yet, I’ve got links for those, too, so you can mix and match your entire kitchen palette!

Kylie M & DesignShop lets you mix & match from the comfort of your home – have fun!

*USA only, for now, sorry to my Canadian friends

BEFORE ORDERING TILES

I’ve provided single links as well as ‘Starter Sets’. Ordering 1 tile at a time is like ordering 1 bottle of wine at a time from your favorite winery – GET THE DANG CASE! How can you sample and compare without variety (the same goes for boyfriends)?
Dye lots can change. Before you have your tile installed, check one or two tiles with your finishes to make sure it’s all still kosher – or porkish, whatever your preference.
Tile size. I’m a big fan of a classic 3 x 6 for a timeless look. However, if I find the perfect tile and it’s not that size, I might go smaller (2 x 4) or a bit longer (but not over 4″ high).
Don’t judge them by their online image. On your computer screen, most ‘white tiles’ look like they’ve been smoking for 40 years or grayer than the hair on my husband’s head (courtesy of me). Judge them by how they look in person.
Take note of the available options in the tiles you love, such as bevel, matte, and gloss.

THE BEST WHITE SUBWAY TILES FOR THE KITCHEN BACKSPLASH OR BATHROOM

Naturally, I’d love to show you glorious images of each tile. However, I don’t have those (I only use my own images). Instead, I’ll share kitchens of my Online Color Consulting clients who have used similar-looking tiles – a little eye candy and color inspiration for you!

But on that note, if you end up using one of these tiles in your home, PLEASE SEND PHOTOS (no nudes though, that’s my ‘other blog‘ wink wink)

TILE 1: BEDROSIANS ZENIA MOSAIC

I had to start with my favorite. This tile’s details include some mild movement around the edges, but no actual color change – more like a wee raised lip. Think of it like the average teenage girl posing for a photo.

Don’t judge it by its online image, which makes it look multi-toned. It’s not – it’s one solid color.

LINK: BEDROSIANS ZENIA MILKY WAY
SIZE: 2 x 6 tile (approx), great size for a classic, timeless look, or 2.5 x 9
COLOR: Milkway (which sounds much warmer than it is)

This kitchen’s white subway tile (below) sits passive and simple, letting the decorative, patterned tile behind the stove do the heavy lifting…

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TILE 2: ARTISTIC TILE A-TRAIN

This tile’s details are unimpressive…but that’s the point! This is a simple white subway tile, which is the most classic, timeless approach.

It appears grayish because it’s being displayed on a computer screen. It’s white.

LINK: ARTISTIC TILE A-TRAIN WHITE
ONLINE IMAGE:
SIZES: 2.5 x 10 | 3 x 6 | 5 x 10 | 4 x 12

This next homeowner used what looks to be a 3 x 9 (approx) subway tile, with a marble hexagon accent tile on the floor and in the niche…

Sherwin Williams Alabaster Color Review

Also, mad respect for the money they saved doing a shower curtain instead of an expensive glass door – REAL HOMES, REAL BUDGETS, REAL PEOPLE!

Sample & compare my FAVORITE white cabinet colors!

TILE 3: BEDROSIANS MARIN CERAMIC GLAZED TILE

This white subway tile has a slightly rectified edge (don’t worry, nothing to do with rectums). It also has an uneven top surface, which some think looks a bit handmade (nah), but it just adds some interest and movement vs. being totally flat.

Its online image looks a bit soft and warm, which makes sense compared to a computer screen. In real life (as I’m looking at it right now), it’s beautiful.

LINK: BEDROSIANS MARIN PEARL WHITE
SIZES: 2.5 x 10 | 2.5 x 10 | 4 x 4
COLOR: PEARL WHITE

This first bathroom’s tile looks approx 3 x 9 and has a similarly wavy/glazed top surface. It’s paired with Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray on the walls…

In this next kitchen, I like how the tile’s wavy surface adds a bit of interest to the white-on-white-on-white palette…

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I loooove this next laundry room with its green-gray painted cabinets and affordable, butcher-block-look countertop…

Here’s a set of my favorite green cabinet colors

TILE 4: GARDEN STATE MARITIME

Online, this tile looks gray/taupe – it’s far from it. This glorious tile is a bit warmer than the others. It has a slightly rectified edge and the same uneven top surface as tile #3 (which I love).

This is a good option in case your cabinets aren’t quite as white as you THINK they are.

LINK: GARDEN STATE MARITIME CAPE MAY BUFF
COLOR: CAPE MAY BUFF
SIZES: 3 x 6 | 3 x 12

Don’t be perturbed by the gray grout (I am, but I also get perturbed by people chewing and sniffing loudly, soooo). Unless your countertop already has gray in it, you might go with white or a warmer shade than this…

You might think these cabinets (below) are white, but they’re actually a soft, warm white called Sherwin Williams Alabaster…

And yes, the outlet does need to be changed to white. C’est la vie – which is French for…MOVING ALONG!

This next kitchen has a more modern look than the previous one, with the cabinet hardware and countertop decor softening its appearance…

TILE 5: BEDROSIAN TILE CLOE

Cloe is a hugely popular subway tile by Bedrosian. And while it’s most often used as a ‘white subway tile’, it has a bit of gray-taupe, so don’t expect a clean white look with this beauty.

LINK: BEDROSIAN CLOE
COLOR: CLOE
SIZE: 2.5 x 8 or 5 x 5

While I don’t have images of many of the previous and upcoming tiles, I do have Cloe in action…

Subway Tile Starter Set (#1)

Order all 5 tile samples at once – delivered to your door tomorrow – yes, really!
Sample, compare, and see what works with your lighting and surrounding finishes (cabinets, countertop, etc).

Designing a kitchen from scratch?

I have other Starter Sets to help you on your way. Mix-and-match and have some fun!

TILES: Order Subway Tile Starter Set 1 and Set 2 (upcoming tiles)
CABINETS: Check out these Curated White Cabinet Colors for the best mix-and-match options.
COUNTERTOPS: Order my 6 favorite countertops (Starter Set 1 | Starter Set 2)

TILE 6: FIRECLAY TILE HANDMADE CERAMIC CLAY

This is an interesting tile. While at first glance it’s more or less flat with a vaguely rolling edge, up close it has weeeee little bubbles or pin-pricks, which makes sense, as they’re handmade. You won’t see any of those from even 12″ away.

LINK: FIRECLAY CALCITE GLOSS
COLOR: CALCITE GLOSS
SIZES: 2 x 5 | 2 x 6 | 3 x 9 + about 15 more

While these tiles might not be THIS white (hard to say without a comparison), they still show a nice, classic white subway tile look…

And don’t forget, you can get creative with your tile layout, too…

7. TILEBAR MANCHESTER

Super classic and glossy, Manchester Bianco is a gorgeous take on a timeless look…

LINK: TILEBAR MANCHESTER BIANCO
COLOR: BIANCO
SIZES: 3 x 12

8. TILEBAR MANCHESTER (#2)

If your needs are warmer, it won’t hurt to sample the other color in this collection – Vanilla…

LINK: TILEBAR MANCHESTER VANILLA
COLOR: VANILLA
SIZES: 3 x 12

9. TILEBAR KILN

Kiln is one of my favorites of the bunch. Whether it’s the right white for your home remains to be seen, but daaang she pretty.

LINK: TILEBAR KILN
COLOR
SIZES: 3 x 9

Just look at that texture – COME TO MOMMA!

10. TILEBAR SERENE OYSTER WHITE

Okay, admittedly, this isn’t a subway tile, but it’s so FRIGGIN’ GORGEOUS, I had to mention it. It also looks amazeballs with a range of white cabinets.

LINK: TILE BAR MOTHER OF PEARL OYSTER WHITE
COLOR: WHITE PEARL
SIZE: 10 x 20mm or 17 x 17mm (comes on a sheet – a holy sheet)

Here it is with a slightly different palette…

LINK: TILEBAR SERENE WHITE PEARL

And will miracles NEVER cease… look at this…

Subway Tile Starter Set (#2)

Add the final set of 5 tiles to complete the comparison. Spot subtle differences that make one tile or two the better fit for your cabinets and countertop.
Delivered to your front door…tomorrow!

Designing a kitchen from scratch?

TILE: Order Subway Tile Starter Set 1 and Set 2.
CABINETS: Check out these Curated White Cabinet Colors for the best mix-and-match options.
COUNTERTOPS: Order my 6 favorite countertops (Starter Set 1 | Starter Set 2)

QUICK SUMMARY (TL;DR)

Order more than 1 tile when looking for a subway tile backsplash or bath/shower surround.
Pay attention to tile details such as bevels, crackling, rectified edges, etc.
Compare at least 5-7 similar tiles. Look for changes in depth, temperature, and any undertones.
DesignShop offers a wide range of subway tiles, delivered to your front door the next day.

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Get the best paint color & home update advice with Kylie M’s Online Color Consulting