Subway tile was originally designed in the early 20th century as an easy to clean surface that would make New York City subways feel warm and inviting to new riders. These simple glazed rectangular shaped ceramic tiles quickly gained popularity for being a versatile option for making walls and vertical surfaces attractive and easy to clean. Now, over 100 years since the first tiles went up on the walls of subway stations, these tiles are one of the most popular options for bathrooms and kitchen backsplashes.