The color of your grout will significantly impact your overall design and is just as important in your decision-making process as choosing your tile color.
Grout color affects everything from the overall style of your design to the daily maintenance requirements of your installation, so be sure to take your time when considering your grout color options.
To help you get started, we've provided three of our most popular tile and grout color combinations.
For more information on what grout type you should use, click here!
For more information on grout spacing, click here!
Style 1: Match Your Grout to Your Tile Color
If you want your tile to be the center of attention, and not necessarily the pattern, we suggest matching your grout color to your tile color. This will prevent the eye from being distracted from the pattern found within the grout line.
This style works well with neutral tile colors, especially white tile where you want the white to look fresh and clean. Keep in mind that a lighter grout color like white can potentially show more stains and will require more maintenance to keep it looking its best.
Tile Shown: White Wash 4" Triangle // Design: OLA Austin // Photo: Lars Frazer
Tile Shown: Basalt 2x2 Sheeted // Design & Photo: Mango Street
Tile Shown: Calcite 1x6 // Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel // Photo: Zan Passante
Brick Shown: Black Hills // Design: Brasstacks // Photo: Erin Hassett
Glass Tile Shown: Rosy Finch Gloss 4x4 // Design: Fireclay Tile
Style 2: Choose a Contrasting Grout Color
If you're looking to make a statement with your tile and grout, choosing a grout that contrasts your tile color will do the trick. The contrast between your tile and your grout color will emphasize the overall pattern and layout of your tile, creating a graphic focal point in your space.
Tile Shown: Crater Lake Hexite // Design: Orlando Soria // Photos: Zeke Ruelas
Tile Shown: Bora Bora Ogee Drop // Design: Young America Creative // Photo: Lauren Andersen
Tile Shown: 2x8 in Flagstone and Calcite // Design: Jen Pinkston // Photo: Katie Jameson
Tile Shown: Calcite Scalene Triangle // Design: The Residency Bureau // Photo: Meghan Klein
A dark grout joint is a great way to add contrast to a classic white subway tile. The contrasting grout warms up the white tile, preventing any sense of sterility while adding depth and dimension. Not to mention, a dark grout is easier to keep clean!
Tile Shown: White Wash 3x6 and Kasbah Trellis Neutral Motif //Design: Patti Wagner // Photo: Meg Cooper Photography
Note: We do not recommend a dark grout with White Wash due to staining potential. See more below.
Tile shown: White Wash Small Diamond Escher // Design: Whitney Leigh Morris // Photo: Monica Wang Photography
If you do decide to go with a dark grout and a light tile color it is VERY IMPORTANT to recognize the fact that your grout may stain your tile, especially if your tile has any crackle or crazing to the glaze. If you decide to use a contrasting grout to your tile, be sure to use a sealer or grout release on your tile to protect your glaze.
Before installation you'll also want to test a few coats of sealer/grout release to see what treatment is necessary. One coat may not be a perfect remedy and that often times two or three coats may be necessary to ensure the grout doesn't stain your tile.
Always test contrasting grouts before tackling your whole project. This concept applies to all of our materials-- tile, brick, and glass.
Tile Shown: Daisy 6x6 // Design: Ann Edgerton // Photos: Andrea Calo
Note: We do not recommend a dark grout with Daisy due to staining potential.
When it comes to contrasting grout colors, you can always go for the opposite look and pair a dark tile color with a contrasting white grout the way the kitchen below has done:
Tile Shown: Basalt 2x8 // Design: Jennifer Jorgensen // Photo: 2nd Truth Photography
Tile Shown: Navy Blue 6" Hexagon // Design: Kate Arends
Style 3: Find a Neutral Balance
If you are looking for something in between a matching and contrasting grout color, try a neutral that is just a few shades off your tile color. For example in the commercial backsplash below, a neutral gray softens the green tile for a look that is eye-catching but not overly graphic and demanding.
Tile Shown: Flagstone 4x12 // Design: The Perennial
Tile Shown: Rosemary 3x6 // Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel + Emily Farnham // Photo: Tessa Neustadt
For a more subtle look, try a neutral tile color with a warm white or grey grout, for a perfectly balanced neutral look.
Tile Shown: Calcite 6" Hexagon // Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Tile Shown: Dust Storm 1x6 Sheeted // Design: BOXI // Photo: Jenna Peffley
Tile Shown: Pyrite 3x12, Calcite Small Diamond Sheeted // Design: Kyla Ray Creative // Image: Angela Price, Rachelle Beatty
FAQ
What Color Grout to Use With White Tile?
To avoid staining, it's recommended that white tile be paired with white grout. If you are set on using a dark pigmented grout to enhance the outline of your white tile, make sure your installer is using a sealer, grout release or both, and always test the grout on spare tile away from your install. Multiple coats of sealer may be required.
Does Grout Usually Dry Lighter or Darker?
Grout will dry lighter than it appears when wet. It's a good idea to sample a range of shades of the color grout you're looking for and test them to see how they appear once dried.
What is the Best Color for Grout?
White, dark and neutral grout all have their place in design and the best shade all depends on the color of your tile and your personal preferences. For balancing aesthetics and upkeep, you can't go wrong with a neutral grey or beige grout. These lightly pigmented grouts will enhance the pattern of both light and dark colored tiles, have less risk of staining your tile compared to a dark grout and will conceal dirt and stains better than a white grout.
As a reminder, all of our color detail pages have our recommended grout color choice to help get you started.
How Often Should Grout be Sealed?
To keep your grout looking new, no matter what color you choose, seal your grout every six months to a year.
Want a personalized grout color suggestion based on your project? Simply call, chat or fill out our Design Assistance Form and one of our talented Design Consultants will get back to you shortly!