How to Choose the Right Grout Color for Your Tile

You've meticulously planned your remodel, selected the ideal new tiles for your design, and are now prepared to install them. There is still a significant point that has to be addressed: what grout color should you use? You might not even be aware of it. The appearance and atmosphere of a whole space can be radically changed by changing the grout color. The good news is that there is a color for any circumstance, and what's even better is that choosing the ideal grout color can guarantee a finished result you'll love for years to come!.

The majority of tile hues complement modest, neutral grout colors. The traditional choices are black, gray, and white, but beige, brown, tan, blue, and mossy green are also frequently utilized. There is a color that will undoubtedly go with your chosen finish because there is an entire spectrum of vibrant hues and even glittering options like gold and silver are available.

While there aren't any strict guidelines, there are a few things to take into account while choosing the grout color. Read on to fill in the blanks!

The majority of tile hues complement modest, neutral grout colors. The traditional choices are black, gray, and white, but beige, brown, tan, blue, and mossy green are also frequently utilized. There is a color that will undoubtedly go with your chosen finish because there is an entire spectrum of vibrant hues and even glittering options like gold and silver are available.

While there aren't any strict guidelines, there are a few things to take into account while choosing the grout color. Read on to fill in the blanks!

Why Tile Grout is Important

Grout is crucial for a lot of beneficial reasons. To begin with, it serves as a sealer to prevent moisture from penetrating the substrate or dirt and debris from accumulating between tiles. Grout also increases flexibility and strength, guaranteeing the security of your tile installation. As structures settle over time, grout lines assist prevent tiles from rubbing against one another. They may fracture and chip from use if there aren't any grout joints or if the ones that are there are the wrong size for the tiles you've chosen.

Grout plays a crucial role in establishing the aesthetic tone of a space. In the end, much of the final appearance depends on whether you choose grout that closely matches your chosen tile for a seamless installation or creates an eye-catching contrast that gives the room structure and definition.

Tips for Choosing Tile Grout Color

Although there is a wide variety of colors available, you only need to take into account a few methods to determine which colors truly speak to you:

Think about the look you want.
The aesthetic you want to achieve can be greatly influenced by the grout color you select to go with your tiles. Knowing the various tile and grout color combinations and how they might look is crucial, but since design is truly a matter of taste, knowing where your preferences lie is the deciding element in how your tiling job will turn out.

For instance, you might choose a grout color that complements your tile work if you want a polished, modern appearance. However, contrasting grout is generally the ideal choice if your tile is laid out in a mosaic that isn't just basic square or straight lines and you want to emphasize its pattern because it will vividly delineate the design. Is the difference, though, too stark? Will it blend in with the other components of the room? You can find the hue that appeals to you the best and fits your sensibility by taking into account these variables as well as your personal style.

Take the room's size into account.
It might surprise you to learn that the grout color you choose can drastically change how a room appears while you're arranging your tile pattern. By selecting grout that complements your tile, you can create a room that feels spacious and open and makes all the elements feel connected.

For instance, matching white kitchen floor tiles with white grout produces uninterrupted lines and makes the space appear bigger and lighter. Contrasting grout, on the other hand, gives the space a sense of activity and fullness, which is particularly effective if you want to make a vast space feel cozier. Otherwise, using complementary or coordinating hues is almost always preferable to visually enlarge a small space.

Gutter and tile color coordination
By selecting a grout color that blends well with the tile, you can reduce the visibility of the tile joints and create the appearance of a solid surface. Your chosen tile can be as stunning or subtle as you wish with this method; whether it has a bright color, veining, or textured finish, the impression of matching the grout and tile color will be one that is tidy and unified. Black tile with black grout, red tile and red grout, and so on will all produce a seamless, airy finish that retains the focus on the tiles themselves.

Colored tiles and grout that contrast
Not certain that the grout should match the tile's color? A powerful, dynamic look can be achieved and the tile arrangement or pattern can be more easily seen by using a high contrast to the tile. This method works best if you want to make your tile more of an eye-catching element and add visual intricacy to your design.

For example, dark grout will give light tiles a distinct edge, and lighter grout will draw attention to dark tiles more (the classic example of this is black and white, which works particularly well to give subway tiles a dramatic, geometric look). When dealing with a multi-colored tile, if you're unsure of which color to use for contrast, try matching the grout to one of the tones in the tile for a coordinated aesthetic that doesn't overpower your room.

If you want to decrease visual clutter, a complementary grout color can be the way to go. Keep in mind that a contrasting hue can emphasize both the grout lines and the size of the tiles.

Colors of neutral grout
Neutral grout is a constant popularity among homeowners and designers since it could appear like the safest option. Most tiles look stunning when they are used with hues like tan, beige, gray, or cream because they add the perfect amount of color as a coordinating tone or as graphic as a contrasting colour. Furthermore, when you decide to change your décor years from now, neutral grout gives the space a subtle appearance that never seems to date it.

Think about the shade of the tile.
It's crucial to examine your tile and consider its undertone whether you are matching, contrasting, or complementing. You should choose a grout color that reads warm if you choose a tile with a warm undertone, such as orange-red, warm khaki, or creamy white. The same is true for tile with a cool undertone; it looks best when paired with a cool grout color. To determine the undertone of your tile, hold a sample up to a white piece of paper.

How to test the color of your grout
You should make a grout swatch before applying it to your tiles, just like you should do with your test layout before using adhesive. This is a crucial step to make sure you enjoy the installation's final appearance!

Applying your selected grout color to a small area of your tile is the best method to test it. This might be a piece of your installation or a sample card. To obtain a clear idea of how the two materials blend together, pick a quiet location with sufficient lighting. Even grout samples and custom colors are available from Laticrete, our preferred producer of grout!

When choosing your grout, use common sense.
Assessing how you'll use the area should play a significant role in selecting the ideal grout color for your project. Consideration should be given to ease of use and cleaning, particularly on floors where dirt accumulates quickly. Dark grout may be a sensible option for high-traffic areas because it makes dirt more difficult to notice. To avoid stains and make maintenance easier, sealing the grout is always a wonderful idea if you choose to stick with your light color scheme.