I hear you on the hex tiles—those little grout lines are relentless. I did a small bathroom with 1” hexes a couple years back, and honestly, I underestimated how much time I’d spend scrubbing. They look amazing when they’re clean, but it’s a commitment. Epoxy grout is tough stuff, but yeah, it’s not very forgiving if you don’t get it right the first time. I tried it once and let’s just say there was a lot of cursing and a bit of sanding involved.
If you’re leaning into the “vintage patina,” honestly, that’s not the worst route. Some of those old-school bathrooms have a certain charm even when the grout isn’t pristine white. It kind of tells a story, you know? But if you’re set on keeping things crisp, subway tiles are way easier to maintain. Fewer grout lines, bigger surface area, and you can get creative with patterns—herringbone, vertical stack, whatever fits your vibe.
One thing I wish I’d done differently: I went with bright white grout because it looked sharp at first, but it didn’t stay that way for long. If you go hex, maybe consider a mid-tone or light gray grout. Hides dirt better and still looks classic.
At the end of the day, both styles have their headaches. Hex tiles are definitely more work but have that wow factor. Subway is timeless and way less fussy. Depends if you want to spend your weekends cleaning or just admiring your handiwork from the couch...
“Hex tiles are definitely more work but have that wow factor. Subway is timeless and way less fussy.”
Couldn’t agree more on the maintenance front. I did a hex floor once—never again for a high-traffic bath. One thing I’d add: subway tiles are way more forgiving if your walls aren’t perfectly flat. Hexes highlight every dip and wave, which drove me nuts. Also, if you’re DIYing, subway’s easier to cut and lay out, especially around weird corners. Just my two cents.
I totally get what you mean about hex tiles showing every little imperfection—I've seen that happen, especially in older homes where the walls are never quite straight. But I do love how hex tiles can make a small bathroom feel a bit more special, almost like a boutique hotel vibe. Have you ever tried mixing tile shapes, like using subway on the walls and hex on the floor? I’ve found that combo can balance out the fussiness and still give you some visual interest without going overboard.
Curious if anyone’s experimented with colored grout for either style? I’ve noticed dark grout with white subway tiles hides dirt better but can look pretty bold. Wondering if that’s too much for some folks or if it actually helps with maintenance in busy bathrooms...
I totally get what you mean about hex tiles showing every little imperfection—I've seen that happen, especially in older homes where the walls are never quite straight.
Mixing subway and hex tiles is a classic move—I’ve done it in a couple of flips and it always gets compliments during open houses. Colored grout, though... I once tried charcoal with white subway in a rental bathroom. Looked sharp at first, but let's just say it highlighted every less-than-perfect cut. Maintenance-wise, dark grout definitely hides grime, but any caulk mishaps are front and center. It’s a trade-off for sure.
any caulk mishaps are front and center. It’s a trade-off for sure.
That’s exactly what I’m worried about—my caulking skills are... let’s call them “developing.” I love the look of dark grout but every time I see a slightly wobbly line, it bugs me. With subway tiles, at least you can fudge things a bit if your walls aren’t perfect. Hex tiles, though, seem to magnify every little mistake. I’m leaning subway just for my own sanity.
