One easy way to make your kitchen backsplash look more expensive is to use ceramics or porcelain that are themselves simply lovely, but don't break the bank. "Hand-pressed tile, with uneven edges ...

Mosaic tile -- which, for the record, is a pain to install -- also feels a little tired these days. Instead, lean toward perfectly imperfect tile, soft, natural vibes, and maybe something a little ...

White subway tile wall and dark grout for a kitchen or bathroom backsplash© Duntrune Studios/Shutterstock How to Install Subway Tile Backsplash: Dos and Don’ts ...

And mosaic's creative possibilities are popular among interior designers, too. At Coverings, an industry show in Chicago this spring, tile-makers' booths were mini art galleries.