Creative Hack: Budget-Friendly Subway Tiles
Recently, we worked on a kid-friendly space that included a baking kitchen, where we envisioned a clean and modern subway tile backsplash. Our design featured vertically aligned subway tiles to add height and elegance to the space.
However, when we provided the budget estimate, the cost of subway tiles was three to four times more expensive than standard wall tiles. Our client asked if we could find a more budget-friendly alternative—without compromising the design aesthetic.
To achieve the look without the high cost, we came up with a simple but effective solution:
✔️ We purchased 1×2 feet plain white tiles, which are significantly more affordable than subway tiles.
✔️ On-site, we carefully cut them into smaller subway tile sizes to match our design vision.
✔️ Each tile edge was then polished with precision to ensure smoothness.
✔️ Finally we installed them in a vertically aligned pattern, just as originally planned.
The result? The space still carried the charm and elegance of subway tiles while staying within budget!
Does It Look Exactly Like Factory-Made Subway Tiles? Not entirely.
Since this was a manual process, despite our careful cutting and finishing, some edges were slightly irregular. While the difference is subtle, factory-finished subway tiles have perfectly uniform edges that are hard to replicate entirely.
That said, if you’re looking for a cost-effective way to achieve the subway tile look, this is definitely a creative hack worth trying. It retains the aesthetic and saves a significant amount on material costs!
