The Right Way To Use Metro Tiles

Metro tiles remain a popular choice thanks to their versatility and affordability. White, rectangular and almost utilitarian in their uniformity, they come with a caveat: while you can lay them in unusual ways, you need to respect their proportions and proceed with caution. Here’s what else you should know…

Understand The Proportions

Knowing the difference between a metro (also known as subway) tile and a rectangular tile is important – not all rectangular tiles are metro tiles, but metro tiles are always rectangular. Confused? A quick history lesson courtesy of interior designer Christian Benseshould help: “Metro tiles, used in the first New York subway station in 1904, were all 3in x6in. That's roughly 7.5cm x 15cm for those of us that use the metric system. You might think that’s all semantics, but you’d be wrong. The correct proportion of a metro tile is vital in any scheme.”

Choose Your Layout Carefully

It’s important to know some of the more unusual ways of laying out rectangular tiles simply won’t work with a metro tile. Longer, slimmer designs are more versatile for complicated geometric patterns, whereas the shorter proportions of traditional metro tiles don’t always translate. Christian also suggests you avoid a bevelled metro in a space with lots of corners or junctions. “Bevelled tiles (where the sides of the tile round up slightly) don't do well when two cut pieces have to butt up in a corner. Unsurprisingly, this is a common scenario in spaces like bathrooms. So, as a rule of thumb, with flat wall-to-wall areas, a bevel is perfectly fine. As for lots of corners and junctions, opt for a tile without a bevelled edge.”

Herringbone ,FIG LONDON

Vertically ,Stacked GUNTER & CO

Contrast Grouting ,CHRISTIAN BENSE