Funny you mention the mesh sheets—I learned the hard way during our last reno that they can be more trouble than they’re worth if you’re not super careful. I thought I was saving myself time, but I ended up spending a chunk of it nudging tiles back into place. Dark grout with hex is a lifesaver though, especially if you’ve got kids or pets. I was skeptical at first, but it hides so much grime compared to the lighter stuff. Subway on the walls just feels classic, but yeah, any crooked lines and it’s all I see when I walk in... drives me nuts.
- Totally get what you mean about the mesh sheets—ran into the same issue on a flip last year. Ended up redoing a chunk of the floor because the spacing was all over the place.
- For rentals, I almost always go with subway tile. It’s a safe bet, looks sharp, and most tenants like that clean, classic vibe.
- Hex tiles look amazing but I agree, dark grout is a must. White grout just doesn’t hold up in high-traffic bathrooms.
- One thing I’ve noticed: if the subway lines aren’t dead straight, it bugs me every time I walk in... but buyers don’t seem to care as much as I do. Maybe I’m just picky?
Subway tiles are definitely the “can’t go wrong” option, but I’ll admit—I’m a sucker for hex tiles when it comes to making a bathroom feel special. There’s just something about that pattern that makes the space pop, especially if you go with a bold grout color. I totally get what you mean about white grout being a nightmare in busy bathrooms. Tried it once and regretted it after about two weeks—scrubbing grout lines is not my idea of fun.
One thing I’ve noticed: if the subway lines aren’t dead straight, it bugs me every time I walk in... but buyers don’t seem to care as much as I do. Maybe I’m just picky?
You’re not alone there. Crooked subway tile drives me nuts, too. My partner thinks I’m overreacting, but once you see it, you can’t unsee it. That’s one thing about hex tiles—they’re more forgiving if things aren’t perfectly lined up, at least to my eye.
If I’m doing a rental or something budget-focused, yeah, subway all day. But for my own place? Gimme those hexes and some dark grout—less cleaning and way more personality.
Honestly, I get the love for hex tiles—they do add a cool vibe. But I’ve found that hex patterns can be just as tricky to install cleanly, especially if your walls aren’t perfectly square. Any weird angle or bump in the wall and suddenly the lines look off, even with dark grout. I’ve had to redo a section before because the pattern started drifting and it bugged me every time I walked in.
Subway tile might be “safe,” but there’s something classic about it that buyers seem to gravitate toward, at least in my experience flipping places. Plus, if you want personality, you can play around with layout—vertical stack, herringbone, whatever. Sometimes simple is actually what stands out when everyone else is going bold.
And yeah, white grout is a pain... but mid-tone gray has saved me more than once. Not too dark, not too light—hides a lot of sins and doesn’t scream for attention.
Any weird angle or bump in the wall and suddenly the lines look off, even with dark grout.
Yeah, this is exactly why I chickened out on hex tiles. My walls are nowhere near straight and I just didn’t have the patience. Subway tiles are way more forgiving for a newbie like me. Plus, mid-gray grout is basically my new best friend—hides all my “learning moments.”
