The Retro Feature That's Making Your Bathroom Look Older Than It Is

Bathrooms can easily give away the age of the home, partially because the popular finishes go in and out of style so frequently. What was trendy just a few years ago can make the bathroom feel decades older, and sadly, this is the case for one of the most popular choices: white subway tiles. Originally used to line dark underground transportation tunnels (hence the name), subway tunnels have been around for over a century, but saw a major uptick in popularity over the last decade or so. These rectangular, beveled ceramic white tiles are popular for good reason. For one, they reflect light beautifully, which is exactly why they were used in subway stations in the first place. They're sturdy and easy to keep clean, and they work with almost any interior design style. But sadly, just like all-white bathrooms are going out of style, subway tiles are no longer on trend. 

Anytime a design trend has a big moment, it becomes attached to that point in time. For instance, you may remember the now out of style millennial pink that dominated color palettes in the 2010s. It's now tinged with that era of young millennial homeowners starting to decorate and customize their homes. It's the same case for subway tile, which now feels generic, boring, and played out. It doesn't help that it became the go-to bathroom finish for landlords and builder-grade homes, either, so subway tile lacks character, especially up against the more dramatic and unique tile options available now. 

Luckily, there are plenty of fresh, updated alternatives to subway tile that will refresh your bathroom. If you still love the bright reflective quality of subway tile, you may like zellige tiles. These tiles have a gorgeous opal-like shine and an uneven, organic texture that picks up light beautifully without feeling too sterile or cold. They are also cut to different levels of thickness, so some will have edges that stand out over the grout. This makes for a beautiful, classic, but rustic look in the bathroom, making it compatible with lots of interior design styles, and they're available in endless colors, including white. Plus, if you thought subway tiles were retro and timeless, you might like the fact that zellige tiles have their roots in 10th century mosaics! 

Alternatively, if you still love the look of subway tiles but are tired of the generic white tiles with white or black grout, consider switching it up. For instance, dark green subway tiles have become very popular and are even available as peel-and-stick wallpaper tiles (they also come in a number of other colors and finishes). Best of all, with peel-and-stick options, you don't have to worry about an expensive or labor-intensive renovation process should you decide the style doesn't suit you or your bathroom down the road.