Subway tiles are definitely the crowd-pleaser, no doubt. I’ve lost count of how many bathrooms I’ve done with classic white subway—there’s just something about that crisp, clean look that makes people happy. And yeah, lining them up is a breeze compared to hex tiles. I remember one project where the client wanted tiny hexes on both the floor and halfway up the wall. By the end of it, my knees were basically begging for early retirement. There’s always that one rogue tile that refuses to sit right, too... drives me nuts.
But honestly, I can’t help but love a bold hex moment. Matte black hex tiles? That’s a statement. I did a powder room once with those and brass fixtures—looked like something out of a boutique hotel. The install was brutal (I think I was picking grout out of my hair for days), but every time I see photos of that space, it feels worth it. It’s not for everyone, though. Some folks just want easy maintenance and resale value, and subway tiles tick both boxes.
I guess it comes down to how much you’re willing to suffer for style. If you’ve got the patience (and maybe some knee pads), hex can be totally worth it for that wow factor. But if you’re after something timeless and less back-breaking, subway’s hard to beat. Sometimes I wish there was a magic tile that looked wild but installed itself... until then, I’ll keep alternating between the two depending on how ambitious (or tired) I’m feeling that week.
- Totally get the knee pain—hex tiles are like a workout you didn’t sign up for.
- That matte black and brass combo sounds killer, though. Sometimes the pain is worth it for those “wow” moments, right?
- Subway tiles are like comfort food—easy, classic, and you know what you’re getting.
- I’ve tried to convince myself hexes would be “fun” to install... then halfway through, I’m questioning my life choices.
- Props for sticking with it. The grout-in-hair struggle is real, but those photos last way longer than the aches.
SUBWAY TILES VS. HEXAGON TILES IN THE BATHROOM—WHAT’S YOUR PICK?
- Been there with the hex tiles—knees, back, even my patience took a hit. The alignment is no joke, especially when you’re working with a bold grout color that highlights every little imperfection.
- That said, I once did a powder room with matte black hexes and brass fixtures... the client still sends me photos every holiday. It’s a pain in the moment, but those “after” shots really do make you forget the struggle (eventually).
- Subway tiles are like the denim jeans of tile—timeless, forgiving, and you can dress them up or down. I’ve lost count of how many bathrooms I’ve done in classic white subway with dark grout. It’s hard to mess up and always looks fresh.
- One thing I’ll say: if you’re going for hex, invest in knee pads and take your time on layout. Rushing = regret. Trust me, I learned that lesson after a 2am grout haze where I realized half my lines were drifting off like a bad GPS signal.
- For clients who want something unique but don’t want to curse their bathroom halfway through install, I sometimes suggest mixing subway on the walls with a small-scale hex on the floor. You get that pop without full-on tile fatigue.
Honestly, both have their place—it just depends on how much you value your sanity during install versus those “wow” moments after it’s all done. If you’re DIY-ing and want to keep things chill? Subway all day. If you’re chasing that magazine look and don’t mind a little suffering for your art... hex is hard to beat.
SUBWAY TILES VS. HEXAGON TILES IN THE BATHROOM—WHAT’S YOUR PICK?
I get the love for subway tiles, but isn’t there a risk of them feeling a bit... expected? I mean, they’re classic, but sometimes I wonder if we default to them just because they’re easier to line up. I actually found laying small hex tiles on mesh sheets less stressful than trying to keep subway tiles perfectly level over a long wall—maybe that’s just me. Anyone else notice subway tiles can show lippage if your wall isn’t super flat? I guess it comes down to how much you trust your walls versus your patience.
SUBWAY TILES VS. HEXAGON TILES IN THE BATHROOM—WHAT’S YOUR PICK?
Subway tiles are everywhere, but I get why—they do look clean and timeless. But yeah, if your walls are even a little wonky, that lippage drives me nuts. My old house has walls that are more “character” than straight lines, so hex tiles on mesh actually saved my sanity in the last reno. Plus, they hide a lot of sins if you’re not a perfectionist with grout lines...