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May 1, 2013

White Subway Tile Inspiration

Thanks For Sharing!

As most of you know, I’m in the middle of remodeling our kitchen. Well, more of a giving it a big face lift! The cabinets are almost all done and now it’s time to finish painting the walls and think about a back splash.

I am loving the white subway tile trend that is currently taking kitchen design by storm. I have always wanted it in my kitchen BUT, I have a teeny tiny kitchen and now I’m starting to wonder if a backsplash is even necessary. Up until this point I have been completely sold on doing white subway tile but I’m slowly starting to change my mind…. you’ll have to get to the bottom of the post to see why :)

35efffb895c2db8ac6de805ed36b9337

Via Pinterest

I love the white subway tile paired with a farmhouse chic kitchen. The tile stops half way up the wall and includes gorgeous floating shelves leaving room for artwork or additional storage.

wholekitchen-stickley-IMG_4544

 Via House and Home

 This kitchen incorporates an entire subway tile wall with rustic shelving and stainless steel accents.  The wall creates such a statement space and I adore the shelving, it’s a must for me!

RX-HGMAG003_Kitchenchronicles-107-a_s3x4_lg

Via HGTV

Now let’s talk grout. The darker grout picture above gives a real modern and contemporary look and feel. But is it too dark?

8f4db8751748

 via Decor Pad

I find myself drawn to the white grout paired with the crisp white kitchen cabinets. This is such a clean look yet comforting at the same time.

7b970a94f66920638bd8bc27e31bafbfVia Emily Jenkins Followill

This kitchen is what changed everything for me. I absolutely love every detail, including the white planked wall. So yes, you guessed it. Now I’m leaning towards something like this. I’m so indecisive!

 So what are your thoughts? I feel like if I go with the subway tile I either need to go big or go home. As in, I need to do an entire wall (thankfully my kitchen wall is really small). Or do I go with half a wall like the first picture? Or do I take a chance and go for the wood planked wall?!

Help!

About Taryn Whiteaker

Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!

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Filed Under: Default, Inspiration Tagged With: inspiration, kitchens

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marg says

    May 1, 2013 at 3:30 am

    I would go with the planks…. That looks great!!

    Reply
  2. Gina says

    May 1, 2013 at 6:52 am

    Oh certainly gorgeous Taryn- I find myself craving a bright & airy feel to a room. Need to find the balance between the feel of white & the desire to have some color on the walls.

    Reply
  3. Jenn says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:18 am

    I have that picture pinned too. I love it and would go with the planked walls. Both are beautiful though. :)

    Reply
  4. Janel from NellieBellie says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:21 am

    Oh my gosh. I’m doing my kitchen this summer and I’ve been going back and forth back and forth between the very same things. You know what I decided…white plank walls and white tile backsplash. Ha!! That’s the way to get both. I wonder which is easier to keep clean. That’s what I would like to know.

    Reply
    • Nancy says

      October 12, 2016 at 4:16 pm

      Janel, For ease of cleaning tile is the way to go for a backsplash. I had this same dilemma a few years ago. To save $ I went with a bead board (narrow plank) backsplash rather than white subway tile. I wish I had chosen subway tile! So easy to wipe clean.

      Reply
  5. Shelly says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:22 am

    We did white subway tile with white grout all the way up to the crown molding in our kitchen and 5 years later I still love it! It’s so classic that it goes with everything so I don’t have to worry about trends. We DIYed concrete counter tops that I adore! I’ll be sad to leave them behind if we ever move!

    Reply
  6. Shannah @ Just Us Four says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:33 am

    I love the white subway tile with a medium gray grout {ex. The Inspired Room

    Reply
  7. Sarah Ryan {Life in Ryans} says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:38 am

    Love the planks. Feels very French!

    Reply
  8. [email protected] says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:39 am

    I would do with the subway! So clean and refreshing you can always bring in “weed” elements…blank shelving?
    – Katie

    Reply
  9. Ashley C. says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:44 am

    As much as I love the look of the planks, I would lean toward the subway tile. I’m not sure about you, but things can get crazy in the kitchen at our house and being able to just wipe off the tile with a wash cloth or rag seems to suit “kitchen life” better than wood planks (at least for us).

    Reply
  10. Jenn says

    May 1, 2013 at 7:49 am

    I did white plank in mine and LOVE it! Everyone thought I was crazy for doing wood in my kitchen, but it’s held up awesomely. I still love subway tile though (and I lean towards really light grout). Can’t wait to see!!

    Reply
  11. Tiffany says

    May 1, 2013 at 8:04 am

    I highly recommend doing a subway tile backsplash! You don’t need to do a whole wall, but its actually quite easy if you decide to! We have a teeny tiny kitchen (our house is 800 sq ft) and I did a subway tile backsplash – it instantly transformed our kitchen from old and blah and really brightened up the kitchen, I also went with white grout to make sure it would be light, crisp and clean (it’s also a bit more forgiving… It won’t show like dark gray, if you’re not a professional like me). It easy and cheap – everything cost me about $100 and its easy! I did it myself, with a 6 month old while my hubby was out of town.

    Reply
  12. Amanda @ Burlap and Denim says

    May 1, 2013 at 8:39 am

    Great question! I have white subway in my kitchen and LOVE it! In my basement kitchen I have white planks! I love both, but for a well used kitchen I would do the subway tile and save the planks for a less used space, kitchen or accent wall. You have great taste :)

    Reply
  13. Kara says

    May 1, 2013 at 11:10 am

    I’ve been facing the same dilemma! We re-did everything else, but I can’t find a backboard I love. I was thinking of doing planks or beadboard, but my husband thinks it might need a splash of color. Such a hard decision, isn’t it? I do know that I prefer the light colored grout, it just looks cleaner and more inviting to me. Good luck!

    Reply
  14. JaneEllen says

    May 1, 2013 at 10:55 pm

    Hard choices, the plank wall for me but guess it depends on what kind of feel you want. I also love the subway tile but thoughts of having to clean that tile and grout, don’t think so. What does your hubs like? Or will he go with whatever you love? Good luck, whatever you pick will be wonderful. God bless you.

    Reply
  15. Taryn Lund says

    May 2, 2013 at 5:54 am

    First of all, great name! :) I’ve always loved white, bright kitchens and I’m really drawn to the pic of the all white kitchen with yellow appliances. I prefer the white grout look over the darker gray grouts – to me the darker grout just looks dirty and I like the simple, unbroken surface white tile + white grout creates. But I’m also really liking the plank wall – I think you have a tough decision to make, but honestly you can’t go wrong with either. I can’t wait to see what you pick!

    Reply
  16. Debra Cazzetta says

    May 2, 2013 at 10:17 am

    Subway tiles or the planks are a timeless look. I would keep in mind if the planking is over your sink you will have to seal so you do not have water damage. If you do decide to go with subway tiles, I would not go with such dark grout. If you are worried about cleaning white grout, then use a light to medium gray grout. The grout wont be so stark. believe looking at a photo with the dark grout may look appealing but having to look at that severe contrast on a daily basis will drive you crazy shortly. I can’t wait to see what you do!

    Reply
  17. Gajay says

    May 2, 2013 at 10:50 am

    Thanks for this post as we are going to be redoing our kitchen this summer, some great ideas here. I was sure I liked the subway tiles until the last picture, now I am confused but I am liking the planks, its so nice to look at. Good luck, let us know what you decide.

    Reply
  18. patti says

    May 2, 2013 at 1:59 pm

    Planks look nice but I have a need for color too! Subway tile extends the clean, crisp look but still leaves room for some color on the rest of the wall!

    Reply

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Hi and welcome! I'm Taryn and the voice of style behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. Sharing our journey of modernizing our European style home in Dallas. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list to get all the latest updates! Read more...

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