Under $3 Flip House Tile

One of the biggest things I have learned since moving to Virginia Beach and flipping houses full time with Sean has been the art of staying within a flip house budget. I pride myself in my ability to mix and match pattern and texture within a whole house interior design palette while trying not to be too busy or clash. It would be one thing if the budgets we were working had lots and lots of wiggle room for whatever tile choices I could imagine. It’s another thing to imagine and create beautiful spaces as cost efficient as possible. That’s where the real challenge comes in.

I’m proud to say that with every project, I have been able to fine tune the skill of staying within a flip house budget almost perfectly… well, maybe 90% is fair. I’m working on it, Sean! I find that I have to completely embrace the fact that right now, if our goal is so create beautiful spaces AND obtain financial freedom, this means loads of research and creativity. My research leads me to the best places to buy the cheapest yet character-filled flip house tile and to keep my tile choices below $3 a square foot. The creativity I must conjure up leads me to thinking outside the box and choosing budget-worthy tile that has the ability to “wow” and stick into buyers’ minds.

Here are 9 different budget-worthy tiles that all come in below $3 a square foot. I have installed and worked with 1-7 of the 9 tile choices below. The tiles numbered 8 and 9 are definitely up my alley and you better believe I have designed imaginary spaces with them for the future.

1. Arina Bianco Matte Porcelain Tile $2.69 - Floor & Decor 2. Della Torre $1.29 - Lowes 3. Bayona Deco II Matte Porcelain Tile $1.29 per piece - Floor & Decor 4. Casablanca Sky Matte Porcelain Tile $2.79 - Floor & Decor 5. White and Black Dot Octagonal II Porcelain Mosaic $2.69 - Floor & Decor 6. Kavala Aqua Matte Porcelain Tile $2.69 - Floor & Decor 7. Glossy White Herringbone Porcelain Tile $2.49 - Floor & Decor 8. Stratford Decorative Porcelain Tile $.99 - Floor & Decor 9. Cementine Lily Ceramic Floor Tile $.99 - Home Depot

Number 1 was inspired by none other than the amazing Chip and Joanna Gaines. This bathroom below totally inspired our condo remodel’s master bathroom. I loved the porcelain look of the tile mixed with the hex shape. We even chose to do a striped grey and white subway tile shower! We are installing it in a few weeks so don’t worry… pictures to come.

Episode 8 Season 5 - Magnolia.com

Number 2 was found on Lowes’ website as I was doing my research for affordable and amazing tile. I don’t have pictures to brag about yet for this one because our contractor is in the midst of installing it RIGHT NOW. Stay tuned for Rick’s Condo reveal so soon! I love the light grey and star-like mosaic look!

Number 3 and I go way back. It all started with our Auburn Farmhouse. I fell in love with this tile for our modern farmhouse theme we were creating back in New York. I incorporated this tile in the downstairs bathroom and in the laundry room because I loved it so much. I ordered it online at the time and I had to pay more for shipping but recently I discovered one almost exactly the same from Floor & Decor for $1.29! Can you say “heck yes” to an affordable classic farmhouse feel?

This pretty tile also debuted in our Project Gilpin flip house which was our very first Virginia Beach project. My goal was to create more of a vintage and transitional feel throughout the home. It’s crazy how using the same exact tile can change the feel of a room completely depending on the rest of the spaces design elements. This floor mixed with the gold accents in the Gilpin bathroom gave it the perfect amount of glam it needed.

Number 4 was perfect for Billy and Ren’s Master Bathroom shower nook. At $2.79 and also knowing it was only being installed in the small space, made it a no-brainer when choosing a pop tile for her project. I love the way it created so much character up against the white basket weave subway tile pattern.

Tile Number 5 is being installed in the downstairs bath in our Brickhouse Flip house this week as well! I love the vintage and classic feel of the squares and octagons. I will also let you in on a little secret… the wainscot being painted overtop of this tile is GREEN! I can’t wait.

Number 6 is super hot in the interior design/Pinterest world right now. Type in anything along the lines of “duck feet”, or aqua hex tile and you get something like this times ten. My favorite thing is how thick and sturdy it is. Also, an added bonus, Floor & Decor carries it in black and white as well! Check it out in the master bathroom of our Librarian’s Condo project.

Number 7 went right along side the fun tile in the same bathroom in the Librarian’s Condo. Herringbone tile can be super tricky to install and let me tell you, listening to contractors groan about herringbone installation is no bueno. But when you find it for $2.49 a square foot in 12 x 12 sheets, they can’t say no. I love the texture it brought to the shower walls. Character punch!

Number 8 is brand new to the shuffle and I’m so excited to pop back in and update! December of 2020, we finished our 7th flip house (The Fisherman Project) and installed this gorgeous blue and grey mosaic tile from Floor and Decor.

A little birder told me that we may or may not be adding this gorgeous tile to our kitchen in the next flip house as well!

Number 9 has yet to be added to our Team Wayne portfolio but gosh aren’t they fun!? I love the gentle blue in number 8 and number 9 is so versatile. Add a pop of color or stay pleasantly neutral and you are on your way to creating an amazingly affordable yet memorable flip house space. I can’t not mention that the price point is also killer at $.99! Flippers and budget DIY home decor moms everywhere should be flocking.

Find me on instagram and let me know how you incorporate fun flip house tiles! All of the content above is completely my own opinion. I’m not sponsored currently by any of the above businesses. My goal is to help house flippers and budget home renovators everywhere from our trials, errors, victories, and passions.

I’d love to see your inspiration and can’t wait to build with you! See you on the flip side.

Ann | INVEST