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.
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: 4" Triangle Calcite Gloss | Design: OLA Austin | Image: Lars Frazer
Brick: Klamath (discontinued; for a similar look, try Joshua Tree) | Design + Image: Gina Rachelle Design
Tile: 1x6 Ivory | Design: Amber Lestrange | Image: Cary Mosier
Brick: Norman Black Hills | Design: Destination Eichler, Eyerly Architecture | Image: John Shum
Tile: 4x4 Rosy Finch Gloss
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: Hexite Crater Lake | Design: Orlando Soria | Image: Zeke Ruelas
Tile: 2x6 Sand Dune | Design: CL Studio | Image: Margaret Austin
Tile: 2x12 Starling Matte, 4" Hexagon Halite | Design + Image: Max Lowe
Tile: Star & Cross Caspian Sea, 1x6 Feldspar Gloss | Design: Nedra Davis of Brickend Haus
Tile: 2x2 Sap Green Satin | Design: Dana Jenkins
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!
Please note that we do not recommend a dark grout with our white tile due to staining potential. See more below.
Tile: 3x6 Calcite Gloss | Design: Valeria Jacobs
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—ceramic tile, brick, and glass.
Tile: 4x4 Calcite Gloss | Design + Image: Brandi Katherine Herrera, A Lively Manner | Installer: Skyler Camacho, WDO Custom
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 spaces below have done.
Tile: 2x8 Raven Matte | Design: Brownstone Boys | Image: Nick Glimenakis
Tile: Scalene Triangle Navy Blue | Design: Studio Collab | Image: Brandon Vogts | Installer: Foxden Hospitality
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: 4x12 Flagstone | Installer: The Perennial
Tile: 3x6 Rosemary | Design: Sarah Sherman Samuel, Emily Farnham Architecture | Image: Tessa Neustadt | Installer: Bronstruction
For a more subtle look, try a neutral tile color with a warm white or grey grout, for a perfectly balanced neutral look.
Tile: 6" Hexagon Calcite | Design + Image: Sarah Sherman Samuel
Tile: 1x6 Dust Storm | Design: BOXI | Image: Jenna Peffley | Installer: BOXI
Tile: 3x12 Pyrite, Small Diamond Calcite | Design: Kyla Ray Creative | Image: Angela Price, Rachelle Beatty
Brick: San Gabriel | Design: Kim Wolfe | Image: Madeline Harper
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.
