8 creative ways to use Metro Tiles

Want to get creative with your walls? We show you 8 imaginative ways to use metro tiles in your bathroom or kitchen, using different patterns and colours.

Designed to resemble the small, high-glaze tiling found in classic underground stations, metro tiles are extremely versatile, and can be used with traditional and contemporary decor alike. From the number of customer bathroom pictures we've been sent that contain them, they certainly prove very popular indeed!

Take a look at these 8 creative ways you can arrange your metro tiles:

1. Brick bond metro tiles

Whilst many people restrict themselves to using metro tiles in a "brick bond" fashion (that is lining the grout joins up on alternate rows, much like in bricklaying), there are many other more creative ways in which you can arrange them.

Perfect for traditional and contemporary style bathrooms, the classic brick bond style is the most common arrangement for metro tiles

If you like the idea of a brick bond tile arrangement but need to cover a larger wall space, you can save time and money by increasing the size of your metro tiles. These Maxi metro tiles (pictured below) are slightly longer than regular metro tiles, at 100mm x 300mm.

Cover more space and get creative with colours using Maxi Metro tiles

2. Straight metro tiles

A simple alternative to brick bond tiling, straight tiling (where all grout joints are lined up) is probably the most common feature of tiled walls and floors. By using in this style, you can bring a touch more uniformity to proceedings—if you like that sort of thing, of course!

3. Vertical metro tiles

Whilst horizontal layouts are more traditional, a vertical arrangement of tiles can provide a more contemporary design, drawing the eye upwards in your bathroom. This can work especially well on the inside of a shower cubicle, around your bath or even with traditional style boarding (see below).

Vertical metro tiles draw the eyes upwards, creating the feeling of space in even the smallest of bathrooms

4. Herringbone metro tiles

Another interesting style is herringbone. So-called as the pattern vaguely resembles the skeleton of a herring. Whilst a herringbone pattern is much harder to achieve (care must be taken as mistakes will look glaringly obvious!), the effect can be stunning, especially where a mix of colours is used.

Arrange your metro tiles in a herringbone fashion and mix different colours for a stunning appearance

5. Staggered metro tiles

A variation on a theme. Line your tiles up, as if you were applying them in a brick-bond fashion, but instead of having every other joint lining up, simply stagger the joint a set length on each alternate row. This keeps a certain degree of uniformity but spaces the pattern out over a greater area—perfect for larger walls.

6. Diagonal metro tiles

Whilst plenty of cutting will be needed, to ensure your tiles sit neatly against any flat surfaces (e.g. your skirting board, floor or ceiling), metro tiles laid out in a diagonal fashion will really personalise your decor. You could even mix in another coloured tile to draw your eye towards a certain point or feature in your bathroom.

7. Chevron metro tiles

Another variation, this time on the herringbone style. A more decorative effect can be achieved by applying your metro tiles in a chevron pattern. Again, a mix of colours can be very effective, just make sure your wall doesn't end up looking like a roundabout you'd find on an A road!

8. Mix of horizontal and vertical

If you're tired of laying things in "one direction" why not give your tiles a "little mix"? For a bathroom or kitchen with The X Factor, a mixed pattern of horizontal and vertical metro tiles could be a big hit!

Using Deep Metro tiles in a bold shade of blue, this kitchen looks very tasty indeed

Coloured grouts

Aside from arranging your metro tiles in different patterns and layouts, another way to add some personalisation is by varying the colour of the grout you use. Coloured grouts are becoming more and more popular, adding further definition to your tiles. Try a black grout with white tiles for a monochrome colour scheme. But don’t just restrict yourself to black and white; grey bathrooms are very on-trend and can be achieved easily with metro tiles. Click here for more grey bathroom ideas.

Be inspired

If you’re looking for creative ways to personalise the walls and floors in your bathroom or kitchen, head to our home inspiration section. You’ll find plenty of neat tiles ideas, plus ways to use shower wall panels and great flooring inspiration.