Subway tile is a great backsplash material as it can be cleaned easily. At the same time, it can give your kitchen the decorative touch it needs in combination with your choice of cabinet color and countertop material.
Subway tiles are available in different sizes and shades, with a matt or glossy finish and you can pick the color of the grout to either blend in or stand out. Since there are so many options for this backsplash material, I have compiled an extensive list of kitchen ideas for you below.
Light grey kitchen cabinets combined with white subway tile and stainless steel appliances
I love the way the stove is built inside a niche space in the wall so that the piping of the hood is enclosed below the ceiling. By matching the white countertops with white subway tiling on the backsplash, the different levels in the walls become less apparent and the overall look becomes more finished and sophisticated.
via Alvhem – see the full home tour here
Blue kitchen cabinets and a white subway tile backsplash that goes all the way up to the ceiling
This beautiful kitchen with navy blue kitchen cabinets and a cool grey wall color has been finished off with a semi-gloss tile backsplash that goes all the way up to the crown molding on the ceiling.
The tiles set the dark blue color of the kitchen cabinets apart and I love the combination of the matt cabinet doors with the semi-gloss finish on the tiles.
via Sjöman Frisk – see the full home tour here
White subway tiles in between the top and bottom cabinets
The light grey kitchen cabinets cover two entire walls from top to bottom in this kitchen for a rather heavy look that therefore provides the kitchen with a lot of storage space.
By using white countertops with a white backsplash made of glossy tiles, the design appears a lot lighter and the added texture adds a clean look and a point of interest.
via Alvhem – see the full home tour here
A subway tile backsplash combined with sage green kitchen cabinets
This beautiful sage green shaker kitchen has a classic look that almost screams for a tile on the walls. By applying the backsplash up until the upper cabinets and also on the side walls of the kitchen, you get a finished effect similar to that of a bathroom wall and you can be sure not to have to worry about spills.
Photographed by Lisa Wikstrand, styled by Helen Sturesson for Kulladal
Make the white subway tile backsplash stand out against the wall and kitchen cabinet color
The dark grey kitchen cabinets in this turn-of-the-century space are finished off with white tiling that goes all the way up to the ceiling, finished off with dark grey grout. The tiles are a bit taller than the other examples in the list, giving the pattern a cleaner look, which is especially good when you want to cover such a large wall with tile.
The white backsplash tiling is finished off white a grey trim on the ceiling and the side, which nicely frames the pattern.
via Brspec – see the full home tour here
A white subway tile backsplash in a high-contrast kitchen
The white backsplash stands out in this high-contrast kitchen with black countertops and dark grey walls. The glossy finish on the tiles adds an elegant quality to the otherwise pretty basic Ikea kitchen and the black open shelving fits perfectly above the tile section.
via Sjöman Frisk – see the full home tour here
White subway tile combined with natural stone countertops and green cabinets
The flat tiles used on the tall backsplash in this green kitchen work wonderfully in combination with the natural stone on the countertops, the dark green kitchen cabinets, and the chrome hardware. The tiling makes the angled wall more apparent and the light grout makes for a subtle pattern and texture.
via Alicia Edelman – see the full home tour here
A white subway tile backsplash with dark grout and white marble countertops
This characterful kitchen combines beige cabinet fronts with a marble countertop that is continued on the backsplash as well. The wall behind the kitchen has been completely covered in tile with a dark grout which serves as the perfect backdrop for the painting, the white shelf, and the wall lamps.
via Reform
A narrow strip of white subway tile in between the dark blue cabinets
The dark blue cabinets on the top and bottom are connected by the tiling of the wall. The upper cabinets are continued in an open shelf going towards the window, which nicely trims off the wall of tiles and make the look complete.
Photography by Andres Bergstedt for Entrance Makleri – see the full home tour here
A barely-there white subway tile backsplash in a minimal white kitchen
The white cabinets on the top and bottom of the kitchen have a very subtle effect in the room, which is complemented with very subtle matt white tiling on the backsplash and white countertops.
The backsplash between the upper and lower cabinets is continued on the wall behind the open shelf on the right side for an elegant finish.
Styled by Bon Interior, photographed by Mariah Salander for Bjurfors – see the full home tour here
White subway tile up to the ceiling and a statement stainless steel hood
The light grey shaker cabinets that go all the way up to the ceiling combined with the impressive stainless steel hood in this kitchen give a very impressive, slightly industrial touch to the room.
By finishing the wall off with a subway tile backsplash, the industrial appearance becomes even stronger.
via Himlekök
A subway tile backsplash in between black and white cabinets
The white subway tile backsplash in this kitchen connects the black kitchen cabinets on the bottom with the white cabinets on the top. The wall above the backsplash has been painted in a light yet warm grey wall color, which makes the beautiful tiling stand out even more.
Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Henrik Linden for Alvhem – see the full home tour here
A full wall of subway tile combined with open shelving
This small kitchen looks impressive because of the tall subway tile wall covering the wall on top of the kitchen cabinets. By applying open shelving on the tiled wall, this compact kitchen is finished off nicely and at the same time, these shelves offer additional storage space.
via Historiska Hem – see the full home tour here
Subway tile as a backsplash and on the walls of this irregular layout
The slightly awkward layout of this kitchen results in the stove and hood being placed on a tiny wall surface next to the door. Since the white subway tile backsplash is applied on all the wall surfaces, the two kitchen areas are visually connected and the look becomes more streamlined.
via Stadshem – see the full home tour here
A full wall covered with a tall subway tile backsplash combined with wood shelves and stainless steel appliances
The light grey kitchen cabinets are placed along a rather long wall in the kitchen, with wood shelving instead of upper cabinets on the top section of the layout. The white subway tile backsplash with a semi-gloss finish marks this section and separates it visually from the dining area and by continuing the tiles up to the ceiling and onto the side the effect is even more powerful.
via Stadshem – see the full home tour here
The subway tile backsplash and white kitchen cabinets contrast with the black appliances and the grey walls
The simple white cabinets combined with the high-contrast black appliances are finished off with a brass faucet and a textured subway tile wall that contrasts nicely with the darker grey wall color on the walls.
Photographed by Alen Cordic for Bjurfors – see the full kitchen tour here
Grey trim on top to make the subway tile backsplash stand out
The white cabinets, grey cement countertops, and stainless steel appliances give this kitchen an elegant industrial touch which is enhanced even more by the subway tile backsplash that goes almost up to the ceiling.
This look finished off with black pendant lights and black open shelving and a delicate warm grey wall color adds an elegant touch. Note that the tiles are not continued up to the crown molding, yet a small grey trim was applied to accentuate the tile wall.
via Alvhem – see the full home tour here
A backsplash out of subway tile combined with light grey kitchen cabinets and brass hardware
The elegant light grey kitchen cabinets combined with the brass hardware and the white marble countertops work well in this space. The ceiling is lowered on top of the kitchen island to work in cables and the height of the upper cabinets and the white subway tile backsplash match the height of the added ceiling.
Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Stadshem – see the full home tour here
Wood countertops and a tall tile backsplash in a white kitchen
This minimal kitchen combines white cabinets with white tiling and white walls, complemented by a wood countertop that matches both the hardwood floor and the dining table.
The top of the subway tile backsplash is used for a cable pipe for the beautiful pendant lights above the counter and it looks like a subtle trim.
photos by Jonas Berg via Stadshem – see the full home tour here
A white backsplash combined with floating wood shelves and stainless steel appliances
The piping of the stainless steel hood in this compact kitchen with white cabinets is concealed right below the ceiling. By continuing the white subway tile up to this point, this element is less apparent.
via Stadshem – see the full home tour here
An impressive kitchen with grey cabinets and an industrial touch
The white tile with black grout gives this classic grey shaker kitchen an elegant industrial touch which works wonderfully together with the light grey walls, white crown molding, and the impressive chandelier on the ceiling.
Styled by Grey Deco, photographed by Fredrik J Karlsson for Alvhem – see the full home tour here
Glossy tiles and brass accents in an elegant grey kitchen
This all-grey kitchen combines light grey walls, with darker grey trim, mid-grey floorboards and door frames, and light grey kitchen cabinets. All this grey has been complemented with glossy tiles on the backsplash and a gold spotlight.
via Fantastic Frank – see the full home tour here
A minimal kitchen where the tile feature wall stands out
This minimal kitchen with light grey cabinets gets a lot of natural light. Since this kitchen is so minimal, the white tiles with the black grout on such a large surface area steal the show and define the look of the entire kitchen.
Photographed by Jonas Berg for Entrance Makleri – see the full home tour here
A white kitchen with white countertops finished off with a white backsplash
This elegant kitchen with white cabinets on the top and bottom is finished off with subtle white glossy tiles with white grout for an all-white effect that is contrasted with the black exhaust and the brass hardware and faucet.
via Stadshem – see the full kitchen tour here
White tiles with a trim in a white shaker kitchen
This beautiful white shaker kitchen is planned along two walls with a kitchen island in the middle. The wall by the window has been covered with both upper and lower cabinets, met with a white subway tile backsplash in the middle. By continuing the backsplash at the same height on the other wall, the kitchen design looks balanced.
via Stadshem – see the full home tour here
An off-white shaker kitchen combined with a crisp white tile backsplash
The off-white cabinets and off-white walls add a lot of warmth to this kitchen with stainless steel appliances and a stainless steel countertop. By adding crisp white subway tile on the wall, the beautiful color of the cabinets is offset and gets even more attention.
The cabinets are finished off with brass hardware, and the subway tile wall is finished off with a brass rail to add the final touch.
via Alvhem – see the full kitchen tour here
A natural stone countertop finished off with white tile
The natural stone countertop is what stands out the most in this kitchen with light grey shaker cabinets. By adding a small trim of natural stone below the metro tile backsplash, the stone gets even more attention and I like the way both materials combine with the subtle color of the cabinets.
via Alvhem – see the full home tour here
A functional white subway tile backsplash to hide the piping of the kitchen
The white subway tile backsplash is continued on the window sill in this kitchen for a finished look, yet it also hides the piping on the wall behind it. By still leaving an area below the ceiling rough and exposed, the kitchen gets an elegant industrial touch.
via Alvhem – see the full home tour here
A small kitchen wall with subway tile in a grey kitchen with a kitchen island
The dark grey kitchen has been spread over three main sections in this living space to work around the doorways. Only the main section of the kitchen has been covered with tiles, protecting the wall where the hood and sink are.
via Alvhem – see the full home tour here
A kitchen corner finished off with subway tile with a trim
This small kitchen module has been fitted around a corner, which is slightly awkward, yet by finishing it off with subway tile and a beige paint color, the design is tied together nicely.
Styled by Studio Cuvier for Alvhem – see the full kitchen tour here
A sage green shaker kitchen with an industrial touch and black accents
This beautiful sage green shaker kitchen with a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, and black accent wall lamps has only one upper cabinet and very high ceilings. By using a white subway tile backsplash with black grout, the lower modules are visually heightened and the backsplash nicely fills the large wall area.
via Entrance Makleri – see the full kitchen tour here
A farmhouse sink and wood countertops with an elegant white subway tile backsplash
The matt black kitchen cabinets, black dining table, black Gubi Semi pendant, and black radiator contrast so nicely with the white subway tile backsplash with black grout and the white walls in this kitchen.
The contrast is continued on the white farmhouse sink with the black faucet and the wood countertop and the beige in the artwork adds a bit of warmth to the color palette.
Photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem – see the full home tour here
Stainless steel countertops with light grey cabinets and an impressive tile backsplash
This subtle grey kitchen design has been giving an industrial touch because of the large stainless steel hood above the stove. This industrial look is enhanced by the subtle white subway tile that goes all the way up to the lowered ceiling.
via Esny – see the full home tour here
A full subway tile wall with dark grey kitchen cabinets and stainless steel appliances
The matt black kitchen with white and stainless steel countertops is built into a corner and finished off with an impressive wall of subway tile with black grout to match the cabinets. The vintage wood shelving adds a bit of a rustic feel to the space.
Styled by studio In for Stadshem – see the full home tour here
A white subway tile backsplash going over into an exposed brick wall
I love the way the glossy white tiles on the backsplash in this kitchen meet the white-painted exposed brick wall above it. The play between the texture, pattern, and shapes of these makes for a very interesting look that has been finished off with stainless steel appliances and steel in the shelves, rails, and faucet.
Styled by Linnéa H. Manaberi, photographed by Anders Bergstedt for Alvhem – see the full home tour here
Elegant white backsplash in an all-white kitchen
This elegant, angled white shaker kitchen has been finished off with a crisp white subway tile backsplash material and a spot of green in the lamp above the sink for a bright, airy, and elegant look.
via Historiska Hem – see the full kitchen here
A subway tile feature wall with rails to hang pans
The white tiles with black grout have been used as a backsplash in between the white cabinets of the kitchen, yet they are also brought back on the wall by the dining table where the pans are hanging on rails. The blue walls offset these subway tile surfaces nicely and elevate the look.
via Alvhem – see the full kitchen here
Grey walls combined with white subway tile and sage green kitchen cabinets
The white subway tile backsplash with black grout is continued as high as the high cupboard holding the fridge in this sage green kitchen. The grey walls accentuate the white crown molding on the ceiling and the white subway tile in an elegant way.
via Alvhem – see the full home tour here
White subway tile and black cabinets for an industrial touch
The industrial vibe in this kitchen brought on by the farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, and exposed piping is enhanced by the subway tile backsplash going all the way up to the ceiling. The white open shelving in front of the tiles is modest and puts all the attention on the tiles.
via Alvhem – see the full kitchen here
Small subway tile in an elegant white shaker kitchen
The simple white cabinets combined with the elegant white subway tile backsplash and the white marble countertops make the beautiful stainless steel stove the real focal point in this kitchen.
via Historiska Hem – see the full home tour here
Grey cabinets combined with subway tile and stainless steel appliances
The white backsplash with dark grey grout enhances this simple grey kitchen and the U-shape is highlighted by the beautiful marble countertops. The gold faucet and the black wall lamps finish the look off perfectly and the light grey wall color above the tiles works perfectly with the color of the cabinets.
via Stadshem – see the full kitchen here
Cement countertops and subway tile finished off with wood and brass elements
I love the elegant, yet industrial vibe going on in this kitchen brought on by the combination of the cement countertops, white shaker cabinets, gold faucet, and the white subway tile backsplash. These elements work wonderfully together and are finished off with wood shelving and a brass and glass chandelier.
Styled by Emma Fisher, photographed by Jonas Berg for Stadshem – see the full home tour here
A farmhouse sink in a black kitchen with a full subway tile wall
The high contrast between the glossy white tiles, the farmhouse sink, and the deep black kitchen cabinets in this kitchen works wonderfully with the rich warm wood of the hardwood floor that also comes back on the inside of the tall glass cupboard.
via Finn – see the full home tour here
A white subway tile backsplash with black grout covering two walls
I love the play between the white subway tile backsplash with black grout and the black and white kitchen floor tiles. The combination of these two patterns adds a beautiful decorative touch to the otherwise modest grey kitchen.
Photographed by Anders Bergstedt, for Entrance Makleri – see the full home tour here
Eye-catching black grout and pale sage green kitchen cabinets
The white tiles with black grout are a real eye-catcher in this pale sage green shaker kitchen, which can be seen from the other room. The texture of the tiles works beautifully with the shaker design of the cabinets and the elegant hardwood flooring.
via Stadshem – see the full home tour here
A tall subway tile white backsplash with a black hood
The light grey shaker cabinets and white marble countertops in this kitchen are finished off by a beautiful white backsplash with white tiles combined with white grout which form the perfect backdrop for the contrasting black hood.
Styling by Grey Deco, photographed by Jonas Berg for Stadshem – see the full home tour here
A grey shaker kitchen with subway tile and a natural stone countertop
The upper cabinets in this kitchen are placed higher on top of the stove to integrate the hood, yet because the subway tile backsplash is continued also on this higher backsplash section, it looks natural.
via Historiska Hem – see the full kitchen tour here
Subway tile in combination with a statement wallpaper
I love the white backsplash made of subway tile that meets the wall with the elaborate flower wallpaper. It’s a combination that gives this kitchen a farmhouse look which works wonderfully with the shaker design of the kitchen itself.
Photography by Jonas Berg for Stadshem – see the full home tour here
