But today the kitchen tile options are dazzling.

"A lot of people are getting granite countertops now, and they are looking for a nice way to accent them," says Jared Wittrock, assistant manager at The Tile Shop in Urbandale.

They're also using the space to display their distinctive style, with materials ranging beyond ceramic tile to include porcelain, marble, glass, tin, steel and other metals.

It is incredibly easy to create a hugely expensive kitchen that looks boring. It seems the standard designer's play book consists solely of stainless steel appliances, medium-hue wood cabinets, and granite counter tops. We cannot encourage you strongly enough to break this mould! With so much variety at your disposal, it would be criminal to simply throw a ton of money at your dream kitchen and get just another standard design. You will spend a lot of time in your kitchen so make it your own. And there is possibly no more important decision to make than that of the finishes of your kitchen floors, back splashes, and kitchen counter top. And kitchen tiles can turn a good kitchen, into a thing of true beauty.