Buy overstock or tile seconds, which often have more character than the original tiles and can cost as much as 75 percent less.

Install small, matte floor tiles.Matte tiles scratch less easily, and small ones provide more traction than large ones when they're wet.

Create a pattern with matte and glossy tiles in the same color to give a backsplash visual texture.

Use grout in a color that's similar to the tile; a contrasting grid looks dated and detracts from the tile.