Updated Classics: A New Take On Subway Tile

Discover fresh alternatives to popular design trends in our online series, Updated Classics. 

Classic pick: A subway-style backsplash. Flip through our pages and it’s plain to see: at H&H, we have a thing for white subway tile. There’s something about the clean, neutral backdrop it creates that never seems to go out of style, so it’s a fixture in home and professional kitchens for good reason.

Fresh spin: A geometric tile. This year, when designer Sarah Hartill mounted a white hexagonal backsplash in our Ikea makeover-winning kitchen, she provided a great alternative to the traditional subway-tile route. Going for a less-conventional shape is a simple way to put your own stamp on your space without veering into too-trendy territory, plus it feels just as crisp and bright. And why not take your cue from Sarah’s work and install it only as high as your upper shelving? This will save on material costs if you want to splurge on a special design, while still protecting your walls from inevitable kitchen messes.