We are planning on highlighting tile in big cities and small towns in our new series Tile Everywhere! Check it out here!
On a recent trip to New York City, we spent some time capturing photos and video of tile around the city. And if you love tile the way we do, NYC is basically a giant living museum.
From historic subway walls to modern installations in restaurants and public spaces, tile is everywhere.
In this short video, we grabbed a few quick shots that highlight just how much character tile adds to the city.
Let’s talk a little about what makes tile in New York so interesting.
The Iconic New York Subway Tile
If you’ve ever installed or designed a backsplash, you’ve probably heard of subway tile.
But a lot of people don’t realize the name comes directly from New York City’s subway system.
When the first subway stations opened in the early 1900s, designers needed wall materials that were:
- easy to clean
- durable
- bright enough to reflect light underground
The solution was simple white rectangular ceramic tiles arranged in the now-famous running bond pattern.
The clean layout helped brighten underground stations and made maintenance easier for transit workers.
Over time, that simple tile format became one of the most recognizable tile styles in the world.
Today you’ll see subway tile everywhere — kitchens, bathrooms, restaurants — but its roots are right there in the NYC transit system.
Why Tile Works So Well in Cities
Walking around New York, it’s easy to see why tile became such a popular material in urban architecture.
Tile offers a few major advantages:
Durability
Cities experience heavy traffic. Tile holds up extremely well in high-use environments.
Cleanability
Glazed tile surfaces are easy to wipe down and maintain.
Design Flexibility
From classic white subway tile to colorful mosaics, tile allows architects to introduce patterns and personality into otherwise functional spaces.
That combination makes tile perfect for everything from subway tunnels to restaurant walls.
NYC Is Full of Hidden Tile Details
One of the fun parts of walking through New York is noticing the little tile details most people walk past every day.
You’ll see things like:
- historic subway station mosaics
- decorative tile nameplates
- tiled entryways in older buildings
- creative tile installations in cafes and shops
Some of these designs are more than a century old and still look incredible.
That longevity is part of what makes tile such a timeless material.
When installed correctly, tile installations can last for decades — sometimes even longer.
Click here to learn more about why tile has a long life!
Inspiration From the Real World
One of the best ways to improve your eye for tile design is simply paying attention to tile when you travel.
Cities like New York are full of inspiration because tile has been used there for generations in both functional and artistic ways.
From classic subway stations to modern commercial spaces, tile continues to be one of the most versatile building materials available.
So the next time you’re walking through a city, look around.
You might find some incredible tile inspiration hiding in plain sight.
Tile Everywhere
Our quick NYC video was just a snapshot, but it highlights something important: tile is everywhere, and it has been shaping architectural spaces for more than a century.
New York’s famous subway tile helped inspire a design style that’s now used in homes all over the world.
And when you see it in its original context — lining subway stations beneath one of the busiest cities on earth — you get a new appreciation for how durable and timeless tile really is.
Sometimes a little travel is all it takes to spark your next tile idea.