Subway-style “Brick” tiles: ideas and layouts for designer feature walls

One of the simplest materials, yet it is one which American architect Louis Isadore Kahn recognises as having dignity and expressive will; an essence that the designer must know how to interpret and highlight.

Today, the architectural heritage of visible brick facades is often expressed through the brick or subway tile feature wall, a design choice which melds the industrial aesthetic with the refinement of the most advanced ceramic surfaces.

The brick as a design mark: glossy, matt, full colour

When brick or subway tile feature walls are bathed in light, they take on vibrant colours, transforming spaces into bright, scenic environments. This is the essence of the GLIM collection from Fap Ceramiche: a glossy porcelain “brick” subway tile which redefines the concept of brilliant colour.

The colour shades are suspended in a brilliant glassy core, creating a mirror effect which redefines the volume of the wall.
Light does not slide away, but is rather retained and emphasised by the glossy finish, giving the eye absolute, almost pulsating, colour saturation where the ceramic becomes a visual emotion.

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, but with equal narrative force, we find the STILL collection. In this matt porcelain “brick” subway tile, colour takes on texture and depth thanks to a matt finish which unleashes a calm and enveloping energy. The saturation is velvety smooth, and the imperfections are deliberately accentuated to suggest artisan production with an authentic flavour. The brick finish ideal for those looking for murmured, tactile modernity.

The charm of porcelain “brick” subway tiles: full of volume and character

Choosing porcelain “brick” subway tiles gives you a precious tool to play with: they allow you to add character to small environments such as bathrooms, correct spatial proportions, and emphasise niches or recesses, transforming a potential structural defect into a focal point of the design.

The versatility of the “brick” subway tile format allows it to be used in harmony with areas which are already furnished, thanks to its ability to harmonise with a wide range of different styles.

Style Desired > Recommended “Brick” subway tile

For an industrial and vintage style, the ideal choice is the matt finish, irregular borders and dark, earthy shades of STILL.

Scandinavian style calls for a white or light grey subway tile, laid straight, with tight grout joints.

For a chic and glamourous touch, the ideal solution is the GLIM collection of glossy “brick” subway tiles, featuring pastel or more intense colours, such as blue or heart red.

Finally, for lovers of rustic modern style, the ideal choice is STILL in the colours of the Mediterranean.

The art of the composition: laying schemes for “brick” subway tiles

The laying scheme is how tiles communicate with the surrounding architecture. It is not just technique, but
visual rhythm:

Traditional stretcher bond, also known as running bond, is the typical pattern used for house bricks as well as in the metro, and helps expand spaces visually: it is therefore ideal for increasing the perceived size of rooms
Vertical stack bond is ideal for slimming the space and providing the optical illusion of higher ceilings, with a clean, contemporary and rigorous style
Herringbone, on the other hand, creates an almost geometric dance which adds dynamism, ideal for those looking for refined walls which take a leading role

For those looking for different shapes, we recommend Ocra Vintage Mosaico.
A small 28.5 x 29.5 cm format with a modular appearance like the “brick” subway tiles and the glossy finish of GLIM, and is particularly suitable for vertical laying.

Where to use “brick” subway tiles in the home

From living room walls to adding texture to a bathroom, subway-style “brick” tiles know no boundaries: they lend themselves to covering entire surfaces or as decorative features, capable of creating spectacular accents or rebalancing room proportions.

In a large living space or urban loft apartment, we imagine full feature walls of “brick” subway tiles, and recommend using matt options such as the pleasantly textural STILL.

In the kitchen, on the other hand, even a simple backsplash can become the heart of the design: using GLIM glossy “brick” subway tiles and grout in a different shade of the same colour provides the perfect twist of texture, light and colour for the kitchen tiles.

Finally, the bathroom is the space where subway tiles really shine and provide their full range of versatility. Whether used on the walls, to accent a niche, or as the frame for a designer mirror, subway-style “brick” tiles prove that there really is no limit to creativity.

Traditional and innovative designer walls

The “brick” effect represents the perfect combination of historic architectural memory and cutting-edge porcelain stoneware technology. Whether it comes to lighting up a room with the “liquid lucidity” of GLIM’s mineral glazes, or defining a space with the concrete nature of STILL’s textural colours, porcelain stoneware wall tiles in “brick” (subway) format remains a choice full of character for those who wish to make their home a pure bright, textural expression.

Are you thinking of “brick” subway tile walls?

Discover laying schemes and ideas for modern and original walls with “brick” subway tile format porcelain stoneware tiles