Subway tiles vs. hexagon tiles in the bathroom - what’s your pick?

Honestly, I get the worry about hex tiles showing every little flaw, but I think you might be overestimating how much people notice.

Hex tiles, though, seem to magnify every little mistake.

I hear you on the grout lines - when we redid our 1920s bathroom, I was convinced every crooked wall would stand out with hex tiles. But honestly, once the fixtures went in, nobody noticed except me. Did you find the smaller hexes harder to keep clean, or is that just my old house dust talking?

Did you find the smaller hexes harder to keep clean, or is that just my old house dust talking?

I swear the tiny hex grout lines are like magnets for every stray hair and crumb in the zip code. I’m constantly chasing after them with a toothbrush - my budget didn’t stretch to a robot maid. Anyone else feel like white grout is just asking for trouble, or am I just too cheap to spring for darker grout?

White grout with tiny hexes is basically a dust-and-hair trap, no question. I went through the same thing - thought it’d look all classic and clean, but it’s like every speck in the house gravitates there. Here’s what helped me cut down on the constant scrubbing:

1. Switched to a grout sealer that’s eco-friendly (look for water-based ones). It made a huge difference in how much stuff actually sticks.
2. Started using a microfiber mop instead of sweeping. It grabs the hair and dust before it settles in the grout lines.
3. If you’re still in the planning phase, darker grout is honestly a lifesaver. I was worried it’d look too harsh, but it hides so much and still looks sharp with white tiles.

If you’re stuck with white grout, a baking soda paste works for spot cleaning without harsh chemicals. But yeah, tiny hexes are high-maintenance compared to subway tiles. Sometimes I wonder if I should’ve just gone with bigger tiles and called it a day...

Subway tiles are just easier to live with, honestly. I’ve got a 1920s place and inherited the original hex tile in one bathroom - looks great in photos, but it’s a pain. The grout lines are everywhere, and like you said, every bit of dust, hair, or whatever else finds its way in. I tried sealing the grout too, but it only helped so much. Still had to get down on my hands and knees more than I’d like.

Switched to subway tile in the other bath during a reno, and it’s night and day. Fewer grout lines, easier to clean, and it still feels classic. I get the appeal of hexes for that vintage vibe, but unless you’re really committed to the upkeep, subway is just more practical. I don’t think darker grout looks harsh at all - actually wish I’d gone that route with the hex floor, but hindsight’s 20/20.

One thing I’ll add: if you’re set on hex, go for the bigger ones. The tiny mosaics are the worst for trapping stuff. The larger format hex tiles look similar but are way less work. But honestly, if I ever redo the floor again, I’m going with bigger tiles or even something like penny rounds with dark grout. Life’s too short to be scrubbing grout lines every weekend...