Metro Tiles: A Guide

The classic metro tile is roughly twice as long as it is high, and comes in smaller and larger versions. Smaller tiles give a busier, more traditional look with more grout lines; larger metro tiles look calmer and more modern. Some are longer and slimmer still, for a contemporary feel.

The classic layout, with each row offset by half a tile like brickwork. It's forgiving on slightly uneven walls and works almost anywhere. With longer tiles, a smaller offset is sometimes used to reduce the effect of any slight bow in the tiles.

Tiles are laid at an angle in a zigzag. It's eye-catching and suits feature walls and splashbacks, but involves far more cuts and more setting out than a straight layout.

Stacked layouts line the tiles up in a grid for a clean, modern look. Every grout line has to be straight, so the walls need to be flat and the setting out accurate. Laying metro tiles vertically, stacked or offset, draws the eye upwards and can make a low room feel taller.

With white metro tiles, white grout gives a soft, seamless look, light grey is more forgiving of everyday marks, and dark grey or charcoal outlines every tile and makes the pattern the feature. On a kitchen splashback, a mid-tone grout near the hob is easier to keep looking clean.

Bevelled metro tiles have angled edges that catch the light and give a traditional look. Flat-edged tiles look cleaner and more modern. Bevelled tiles make external corners and cut edges more noticeable, so trims and edge details are planned in advance.

Metro tiles work on kitchen splashbacks, bathroom walls, shower walls and utility rooms. In showers they go over a fully waterproofed surface like any other tile, and a grout suitable for wet areas makes them easier to keep clean.

Sockets, switches, window reveals and pipes interrupt the pattern, so the layout is set out to keep cuts even on both sides and avoid thin pieces next to them. Cut edges of bevelled tiles lose the bevel, so cuts are best placed at corners, under trims or behind fittings.