This article is brought to you by Tree Tile, a trusted global name in ceramic and porcelain tiles, with a special focus on the UK market. Backed by years of expertise in designing and supplying premium wall tiles and metro tiles, Tree Tile isn’t just another supplier, it’s a brand that understands how style, durability, and practicality must work together for UK homes. Recognised by the Government of India as a prestigious 1 Star Export House, Tree Tile’s achievement highlights its commitment to international quality and trust. With a deep perspective shaped by serving architects, homeowners, and designers worldwide, Tree Tile brings its knowledge to help you make confident choices in metro tiles, choices that look beautiful, last longer, and truly add value to your space.
Why Metro Tiles Instantly Feel Timeless in United Kingdom Homes
Imagine stepping into a cosy café in London, the walls lined with glossy white tiles, catching the light and creating a fresh, welcoming atmosphere. That same sense of charm and simplicity is what makes metro tiles a timeless choice for UK kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. They do not just decorate a wall; they add character, brightness, and a touch of heritage to modern homes.
At Tree Tile, we understand that homeowners in the United Kingdom want more than just tiles. They want designs that feel personal, practical, and enduring. That is why we craft our ceramic and porcelain wall tiles to capture this balance of style and function. With collections inspired by everyday British living, from compact city apartments to classic suburban homes, Tree Tile ensures metro tiles are not only timeless but also perfectly suited to today’s UK lifestyle.
What Exactly Are Metro Tiles?
Metro tiles are simple, rectangular wall tiles, easily recognized by their neat, brick like pattern and distinctive edges. Their story began in the early 1900s with the London Underground, where these tiles were chosen for their easy cleaning and bright, inviting look. Today, metro tiles sometimes called “subway tiles” in other countries are loved in modern kitchens, bathrooms, and even commercial spaces for their fresh, timeless style and flexibility.
What keeps metro tiles relevant is how easily they adapt: whether glossy or matt, in classic white or bold colours, they make any space feel brighter and more spacious, while always remaining low maintenance and effortlessly stylish. Tree Tile takes this historic design and refines it for today’s homes, offering premium ceramic and porcelain metro tiles that blend tradition with innovation, so every wall becomes a lasting feature, not just a backdrop.
Why UK Homeowners & Designers Love Metro Tiles
UK homeowners and designers love metro tiles for more than just their classic look, they’re a true problem solver for busy lives. These tiles are incredibly easy to clean and maintain, making them perfect for homes where life (and spills) happen every day. A quick wipe is often all it takes to keep them sparkling, whether in a hectic family kitchen or a stylish bathroom retreat.
Versatility is another big draw: metro tiles come in classic white, bold colours, glossy, or matte finishes, so there’s always an option that matches the mood of a traditional British home or a sleek modern apartment. Their clever design reflects light, instantly making rooms feel brighter and more spacious an especially welcome trick in compact UK interiors.
That’s why even if you’ve never heard the word “metro tile,” you’ve probably admired them in restaurants, cafés, or showrooms and now, more than ever, in British homes. Tree Tile is proud to offer premium ceramic and porcelain metro tiles that not only celebrate this much loved style, but are carefully chosen to suit the unique tastes and needs of homeowners and designers across the United Kingdom.
Ceramic vs Porcelain Metro Wall Tiles – Which One is Right for You?
| Feature / Aspect | Ceramic Metro Tiles | Porcelain Metro Tiles |
|---|---|---|
| Affordability | More budget friendly, great choice if you want style at a lower cost. | Slightly more expensive but considered a long-term investment due to durability. |
| Primary Use | Perfect for walls: kitchens, splashbacks, and bathrooms. | Suitable for walls and certain floors, especially in wet areas like showers or entryways. |
| Durability | Strong and reliable for wall applications but not ideal for high-traffic floors. | Extremely durable and dense, can handle both walls and medium-traffic floor areas. |
| Water Resistance | Moderate resistance; suitable for general wall areas but not for floors in wet zones. | Excellent water resistance; ideal for bathrooms, wet rooms, and other moisture heavy spaces. |
| Design Options | Available in a wide variety of colours, finishes, and patterns. | Usually offered in more premium finishes; slightly fewer choices but highly refined. |
| Weight & Handling | Lightweight, easier to cut and install, especially good for DIY or quick projects. | Heavier and denser, requires more care in cutting and installation. |
| Maintenance | Easy to clean with regular household products; minimal effort needed. | Very low maintenance; harder surface resists stains, scratches, and moisture better. |
| Lifespan | Long lasting on walls if properly maintained. | Extra long lifespan due to density and strength, even under more demanding conditions. |
| Best Suited For | Homeowners looking for affordability, variety, and simple wall upgrades. | Homeowners wanting premium quality, durability, and suitability for both walls and floors. |
Metro Tiles in Real United Kingdom Homes – Where They Shine Most
Kitchens: Metro tiles are a go to choice for splashbacks and feature walls. Their easy to clean surface is perfect for protecting walls from cooking splashes and stains. Whether classic white or vibrant colours, they add a fresh, stylish backdrop that brightens even smaller or darker kitchens often found in UK homes.
Bathrooms: From shower walls to wet areas, metro tiles handle moisture and humidity well, which is essential in the UK’s rainy climate. Their water resistance and smooth finish help keep bathrooms looking clean and fresh, while glossy options enhance light reflection, making smaller bathrooms feel more spacious.
Hallways and Entryways: These high traffic areas benefit from metro tiles because they are durable and simple to wipe down, perfect for dealing with mud and rain tracks common in the UK. A well tiled hallway creates a lasting first impression with practical style that lasts.
Commercial Spaces: Cafés, salons, and offices across the UK often choose metro tiles for their combination of durability and inviting aesthetics. Their timeless appeal fits well with diverse interior themes, while their moisture resistance and easy maintenance meet the practical demands of busy commercial environments.
In the UK, where smaller living spaces, moisture, and frequent damp weather are common challenges, metro tiles solve multiple problems: they protect walls, reflect light to enlarge rooms visually, and require minimal upkeep, all reasons why Tree Tile’s ceramic and porcelain metro tiles remain a favourite choice for UK homeowners and designers.
Tree Tile Advantage – Why Choose Us in the United Kingdom Market?
Premium Quality Tailored for UK Conditions
Tree Tile offers top tier ceramic and porcelain tiles specially crafted to withstand the unique challenges of the UK climate, including dampness and temperature fluctuations. This ensures long lasting beauty and durability for every home and commercial space.
UK Based Supply & Delivery Reliability
With a strong distribution network and logistics partners experienced in the UK market, Tree Tile guarantees timely and dependable delivery. This local focused approach reduces wait times and helps streamline projects from start to finish.
Exclusive Collections with Unique Colours and Textures
Tree Tile curates exclusive metro tile collections featuring colours, finishes, and textures not commonly found in the UK market. These distinct selections enable homeowners and designers to create truly personalized interiors that stand out.
Expert Support: Advice, Samples, and Design Consultations
Understanding that tile selection can be overwhelming, Tree Tile provides expert guidance, samples, and design consultations. This hands-on support empowers customers to make informed decisions with confidence.
Commitment to Sustainability
Tree Tile integrates eco-friendly practices in manufacturing and packaging, aiming for durability to reduce waste and promoting sustainable sourcing. This commitment aligns with growing environmental concerns and UK consumer preferences for green building materials.
Styling Ideas & Trends with Metro Tiles in the UK
Modern Style: Bold, statement making colours like deep blues, greens, or even black paired with dark grout create striking contrasts that highlight the tile’s clean lines. This look brings drama and contemporary edge to kitchens and bathrooms, making spaces uniquely personal.
Classic Style: The forever popular white glossy metro tile remains at the heart of classic British interior charm. Its clean, shiny finish reflects light beautifully and offers a crisp, neat appearance that suits traditional kitchens and elegant bathrooms.
Luxury Style: Marble effect porcelain metro tiles combine the timelessness of metro shapes with the sophisticated veining and texture of marble. This blend is perfect for high end interiors seeking understated luxury with durability.
Creative Layouts: Moving beyond simple brick bonds, metro tiles can be laid in herringbone, vertical stack, or offset brick patterns to add visual interest and texture. These layouts allow homeowners to express personality and style subtly but effectively.
How to Choose the Best Metro Tiles for Your Project
Consider Your Room Type
Bathroom: Porcelain metro tiles are ideal because they resist water and moisture well. They keep wet areas looking fresh longer.
Kitchen: Both ceramic and porcelain work, but ceramic offers more design variety for splashbacks and walls. Porcelain is best if you want something extra durable.
Other Rooms: Ceramic tiles are perfect for living rooms or entryways where less moisture is present.
Think About Your Lifestyle
Busy Families: Choose porcelain for durability and easy cleaning. It stands up well to heavy use and spills.
Rental Properties: Pick affordable ceramic tiles that look great but fit a tighter budget.
Luxury Homes: Invest in high end porcelain tiles, possibly with special finishes like marble effect, for a refined look and long lasting quality.
Budget Wisely
Ceramic tiles usually cost less and offer plenty of style options.
Porcelain tiles come at a premium but offer greater strength and water resistance, making them worth the investment for high-use areas.
Tree Tile’s Expert Tips
Always order samples before committing to a full purchase, seeing and feeling tiles in your space is invaluable.
Match grout colour with your lifestyle: darker grout hides stains better for busy homes.
Consult with Tree Tile’s design experts for personalised advice tailored to your project’s needs.
Installation & Maintenance – Made Simple
Installation: Installing metro tiles isn’t complicated but needs some care for the best result. Proper spacing between tiles and applying grout are essential to ensure a neat finish and avoid gaps. Tree Tile provides clear guidance and support to help you or your installer get it right every time.
Low Maintenance: Once installed, metro tiles are very easy to care for. Just wipe them clean regularly with a damp cloth. They resist stains and don’t require special cleaning products, making them ideal for busy homes and commercial spaces.
Porcelain Tiles for Extra Durability: If your tiles are in wet or high traffic areas, porcelain metro tiles are especially good. They are denser and more durable than ceramic, making them ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, and spaces where moisture is common.
Pro Tip: “For kitchens, using a darker grout color helps hide stains and keeps your walls looking fresh longer, a smart way to combine style with practicality.”
FAQs People in the United Kingdom Ask About Metro Tiles
Are metro tiles still trendy in the UK?
Yes, they remain a timeless and popular choice for many UK homes and businesses.
Can metro tiles be used on floors?
Generally no; ceramic metro tiles are for walls. Porcelain ones can sometimes be used on low-traffic floors.
Glossy vs matte metro tiles – which is better?
Glossy tiles brighten spaces; matte tiles hide stains better. Choice depends on preference and room use.
How much do metro tiles cost in the UK?
Prices start affordable for ceramic; porcelain is pricier due to strength and durability.
Why choose porcelain over ceramic for metro tiles?
Porcelain is denser, stronger, and water resistant, better for wet or high-use areas.
Tree Tile: Where Style, Quality, and UK Homes Come Together
At Tree Tile, choosing tiles is simple. We specialise in ceramic wall tile, brick and metro tiles, and matt tiles, offering UK homeowners a curated range of metro tiles. From white gloss, blue gloss, and white wall tile to gloss wall finishes and white brick tiles, our selection of metro styles suits both classic and contemporary interiors.
Inspired by London Underground tiles (also known as subway tiles), our collections bring a timeless look to any kitchen or bathroom. Perfect for a kitchen splashback or backsplash, metro tiles have a timeless appeal and work beautifully in smaller spaces.
Our wall tiles offer effect tiles, gloss or matt finishes, and tiles in colours across a wide range of colours. Whether you opt for classic brick layouts or prefer contemporary designs with a contemporary finish, Tree Tile has tiles to help you transform your space, make a statement, and add aesthetic appeal that will complement any design.
Step into a world of interior design, where design elements, minimalist style, and interior designers’ ideas meet. With Tree Tile’s metro tiles offer, you get tiles like no other: built for elegance, crafted for durability, and designed to bring lasting beauty to UK homes.
Bonus Value Section
UK Metro Tile Style Catalogue
Which Metro Tile Style Suits Your Home? — Take the Quiz!
What style describes your home?
A. Classic and timeless
B. Modern and bold
C. Minimalist and clean
D. Luxurious and elegant
What’s your preferred tile finish?
A. White gloss for a bright, clean look
B. Blue gloss for a statement colour
C. Matt tiles for subtle texture
D. Glossy finish with a marble-effect
What room are you tiling?
A. Kitchen splashback
B. Bathroom walls
C. Hallway or entryway
D. Commercial space like café or salon
What’s your priority?
A. Timeless look that complements any design
B. Make a statement with bold colours
C. Easy maintenance and subtle elegance
D. Add texture and luxury with effect tiles
What size fits best in your space?
A. Classic brick or white brick tiles
B. Larger tiles with a contemporary finish
C. Smaller metro tiles to complement smaller spaces
D. Mixed sizes for creative layouts like herringbone
Results:
Mostly A’s: Opt for classic white gloss metro tiles, perfect for a timeless kitchen or bathroom.
Mostly B’s: Blue gloss or bold coloured metro tiles offer a contemporary style to make a statement.
Mostly C’s: Choose matt tiles or minimalist designs that add texture and suit busy family homes.
Mostly D’s: Consider effect tiles or marble effect porcelain for a luxury and elegant touch.
