Realtors, builders and designers alike report that our relationship with subway tile has been a love affair for the ages. Nearly 120 years after their creation by George Lewis Heins and Christopher Grant LaFarge and their debut in the New York City subway system, these 3" x 6" beauties feel fresh and functional in residential spaces all over the world. Making a match that will last in your space is all about balancing palette, finish, arrangement and scale — and we have more than 45 brilliant designs to inspire you to do just that.

Our first twist on subway tile is this variegated green backsplash. Designer Brian Patrick Flynn chose this tile because of its mix of earthy hues that tie the other elements of the room together — the blue-gray quartz countertops, the silvery appliances and hardware and, of course, the gorgeous forest green cabinets.

A change in hues and a couple of clever additions were just what this kitchen remodel from Home Town needed to bring it into the spotlight. Erin and Ben Napier painted the walls white and used traditional (but extra-long) white subway tiles for the backsplash to serve as a bright backdrop to forest-green upper cabinets, the woodgrain of the refurnished lower cabinets and the new breakfast bar. The glossy tile works with the glass cabinet doors and vintage mirror to amplify the natural light in this renovation gem.

This luxurious butler’s pantry is all about the moody, solid coastal blue that carries across its walls and upper and lower cabinets, then develops into a gorgeously mottled, counter-to-ceiling backsplash with hand-glazed variegated tiles. These sophisticated subway tiles both add dimension to the space’s oceanic tones and contribute a bit of opulence that pairs beautifully with the brass pendant and cabinet hardware.

This storm-blue kitchen by designer Jenn Feldman delivers even deeper dimensionality with a hand-glazed subway tile backsplash arranged in an intricate herringbone pattern that is even more classic than the tiles that comprise it. (By the way — herringbone patterns date back to ancient Egypt!) For just a hint of pattern in a monochromatic arrangement like this one, reach for tone-on-tone grout that creates minimal contrast with your tile of choice.