Honestly, I get the appeal of mixing shapes, but I’ve found hex tiles can be a bit much if the space is already tight. I did a small powder room with hex on the floor and it just felt... busy, even with neutral colors. Subway tiles are classic for a reason—easy on the eyes and way less grout to deal with. Maybe I’m just lazy, but sometimes simple really is better, especially if you’re not into scrubbing grout lines every other week.
- Had a similar experience in our guest bath—went with small hex tiles on the floor, and it definitely made the space feel busier than I expected.
- Subway tiles on the walls, though, were a win. Way easier to clean, and the look just doesn’t get old.
- I do like the look of hex in bigger rooms, but in tight spaces, I’m with you... less is more. Grout lines everywhere just mean more scrubbing, and who really wants that?
I get the whole “less is more” thing, but I’m gonna stick up for hex tiles a bit here. Yeah, they’re a pain to clean if you go super tiny, but mid-size hex in a small bathroom can actually make it feel bigger—kind of tricks the eye, you know? Plus, subway tiles are everywhere now. Sometimes I want something that doesn’t scream “builder grade 2020.” I’ll take a little extra scrubbing for some personality... or maybe I just need better grout sealer.
I hear you on the subway tile overload—my last two rentals had them and it does get a little same-y after a while. I’m curious though, did you find the cost for mid-size hex tiles much higher than subway? I keep reading that the install can be pricier, especially if you’re not DIY-ing. I’m all for personality, but my wallet sometimes disagrees...
Honestly, I’ve found that the price difference between mid-size hex and subway tile isn’t always as dramatic as people make it out to be, especially if you shop around. The real kicker is labor—hex tiles can take longer to lay out, but if you find a good installer who’s done them before, it shouldn’t break the bank. I once did a bathroom with 4” hex and the extra cost was maybe a couple hundred bucks over subway. For me, the unique look was worth it, but I get that sometimes the budget just wins out...
