I get where you’re coming from with the vertical subway tiles—definitely a classic, and they do wonders for making a space feel taller. But I’ve actually seen hex tiles work really well on walls, even in smaller bathrooms, if you keep the grout low-contrast and stick to a lighter palette. It’s all about balance.
- Hex tiles can add a ton of character without feeling busy if you go for a subtle color shift instead of stark black-and-white.
- They’re also great for breaking up all those straight lines you get with subway tile—sometimes a little geometry keeps things interesting.
- Maintenance-wise, hex tiles aren’t any harder to clean than subway, as long as you don’t go wild with tiny grout lines.
I did a guest bath last year with pale gray hex tiles on one wall and it turned out super cozy, not overwhelming at all. Just depends on the vibe you want. Subway’s always safe, but sometimes taking a small risk pays off...
Totally agree with this:
Hex tiles can really soften up all those hard lines. I’ve noticed clients are always surprised by how much warmth they add, especially in lighter shades. It’s a small risk, but worth it if you want something a bit different.“sometimes a little geometry keeps things interesting.”
- Hex tiles definitely break up the monotony.
- They’re a bit trickier to lay out, especially if your walls aren’t perfectly square—just something to watch for.
- I like how grout color can totally change the vibe. White hex with dark grout? Super crisp.
- Subway tiles are classic, but sometimes they just feel a little... expected.
- If you’re aiming for warmth and some visual interest, hex is a solid bet. Just budget a little extra time for install.
If you’re aiming for warmth and some visual interest, hex is a solid bet. Just budget a little extra time for install.
Totally agree about the warmth factor—hex tiles just have this organic, almost playful vibe that’s hard to get with subway. Have you thought about using recycled glass or clay hex tiles? They can add a ton of character and are super eco-friendly. The install can be a pain, but honestly, the end result usually feels worth it. And yeah, grout color is such a game changer... I went with a soft gray once and it made the whole space feel calmer.
I hear you on the install—hex tiles can definitely test your patience, especially if your walls or floors aren’t perfectly square (which, let’s be honest, is most houses). But yeah, the payoff is huge. I’ve put in recycled glass hex before and it looked incredible, though it chipped a bit easier than ceramic. Grout color really does make or break the vibe. I’ve seen folks go bold with dark grout and it totally changes the look—sometimes for better, sometimes not so much. Just depends on the space and how much cleaning you want to do...
