French Country Subway Tile Ideas

Selecting Your Color Palette

• For the greatest versatility, fresh white subway tiles offer a blank canvas for your French country look. In a kitchen, use the subway tiles as your back-splash for an easy-to-clean surface. Elsewhere, paint the walls with a warm color. The background color will provide eye-catching contrast for any distressed white furnishings, a common element in the French country look. Use small accents in rich yellows and reds to lend a cozy, country look. For a simple dash of color, keep lemons and fresh fruits on hand where you can see them, in hanging baskets that show off their hues.

Where to Tile

• While subway tile offers a relatively neutral background, as tile goes, too much of it can make a room cold or harsh, the opposite effect that you want for a French country ambiance. In bathrooms, you can get away with more tile. If practicality permits, only lay tile part of the way up the walls, painting the upper areas in a contrasting color. Use rustic hardware to add to the country look. If you already have an extensively tiled room, add a soft and natural touch with a bouquet of dried lavender, a touch straight out of southern France.

Mixing Up Tile

• Usually, you use subway tile to the opposite of mosaic tiles; the large rectangles create a neutral surface instead of drawing attention to themselves. However, if you prefer to add some interest to your tiling, include a row or two of small, colorful tiles as accents. Although French country style usually calls for fairly bold, rich tones, stick to understated or classic colors for any tile work; you don't want another tiling project the next time you change the room's decor.

Make It Minimal

• Instead of the overflowing bounty that the French country aesthetic usually brings, take inspiration from subway tiles for an understated variation on the theme. Pair white subway tiles with white ceramic, rustic or distressed wood and antique hardware. Rely on small touches to ground your room in Provence, such as dried flowers and herbs, linens, wall art or a few collectibles.