Depending on your personal tastes, it’s possible to go as unique or as traditional as you please. You can learn more about Artsaics here. Should grout be lighter or darker than tile? Anything that could be easily cracked such as exteriors and high traffic areas use sanded. If you’re trying to lighten your grout, you can take a toothbrush and bleach to it. Here is another design using a light gray grout with gray "holes" and the entire design seems to recede into the background. We would recommend just making sure to seal your grout in high moisture and high traffic areas. Take a look at this guide to different grout colors to determine how you can best leverage this additional design element to the maximum. Depending on the severity of your grout discoloration, you will need to use a different cleaning solution. Grout colors, the selection we usually decide on with our clients last and the one that usually has the most client questions. A dark grout joint is a great way to add contrast to a classic white subway tile. Then along the back wall of the entire bathroom we did a black hexagon tile, which we wanted to be a statement piece, so we contrasted the black tiles with lighter grout. As always, also like and share this article with your friends and online family to help them with their grout and tile choices, too. Help increase the slip-resistance of a floor by using plentiful grout joints. Applying grout fills the voids and makes your floors and walls stronger by bonding the tiles together and preventing them from chips, cracks and water damage as your home naturally shifts and moves. Grout can certainly contrast with the tiles it borders, but in most cases, it would look rather strange to walk into a room with bright red grout, no matter what color the tiles were. Two of the most common grout colors are black and white. Slate Basketweave Mosaic - View Details / Get Quote ». Featured: Carrara Pietra Porcelain Depending on the color of grout used, the look of Carrara Pietra Porcelain tile can vary once installed. Any time we use the Mercury Mosaics handcrafted tiles, such as in our kitchen, we always use sanded grout. Don't be shy about picking colors that aren't neutral, if that's what you like. Related Content >> How to Clean and Seal Grout. Forget "Spicy Red": Popular Grout Colors Are Muted Predictably, the most popular grout colors are gray and off-white. This is particularly good for flooring in high-traffic areas. In my opinion though, you can’t beat a cream floor with a complementing limestone grout. Grout – at least it’s color – can dramatically change the whole design of your bathroom especially if you use white tiles on the walls and/or on the floor. Once you've chosen a look you like, investigate further how the overall pattern looks with four tiles put together. © 2020 Artsaics | 1006 Grand Blvd Deer Park, NY 11729 | (631) 254-2558 | Terms of Use. For example, a taupe-colored grout blends right in when you put it up to the tile. Light color choices are obviously near the whiter end of the spectrum. Mapei Corporation, a major supplier of tile-related materials, has grout in 33 colors. If you are concerned about the resale value of your house and want something that will have mass appeal, a neutral grout color is better. Grout is that thing between tiles that make them stay together. your home. If there are gray color on the encaustic tiles, you can use gray grout. As you can see below, we did dark grout in our kitchen, and we’ve never had one stain in one year since it was complete. Yes, but you might want to try to avoid it if you can. Do I want a grout color to contrast my tile? Neutrals have a soothing effect on the senses, regardless of whether they contrast or match the … These luxury homeowners chose a basketweave tile pattern with green grout, to help unify the design with their use of a green Soho strip border. We also speak to colors of grout and best practices for cleaning and maintaining beautiful grout lines. Grout color can be used as a way to contrast minimalism or accentuate maximalism. For this bathroom, we recommended doing darker grout in the shower as water rusts white grout so fast. Moreover, you can also get creative in using the tile and grout combo in your interior or exterior design in any way you like. Neutral grouts offer a subtle effect, as you can notice in this limestone floor where the gray color contrasts slightly with the lighter stone and matches the gray tiles. Go crazy and use a grout with metallic, glitter-like flecks. Most often, grout comes in simple, earthy colors. This is great for anyone who craves something a little different in their design. If you want to create a pop but in a less drastic way than you would get with black grout, a light gray grout or medium gray grout is the way to go. With gray tiles, we always recommend matching the grout with tiles. If you have lighter tiles and do a darker grout, it’s a fun focal point for a good conversation piece in your home. Contrasting grout colors tend to make tiled areas look busier and smaller, which may or may not work for your bathroom — depending on your desires. We thought we’d make it easy and put together a little post of why, what, and the favorite grout colors we use. The grout in this kitchen was designed to contrast. When do you use sanded vs. un-sanded grout? However, they will also fade quicker. Did you enjoy seeing how different color choices impact a basketweave design? Grout, especially between floor tiles, gets especially dingy and dirty over time. Furthermore, the dark grout is the color of the grey tile, and the light grout is the color of the white tile. In the end, the design can be unique and thrilling to your personal tastes. Black is obviously the darkest grout color available, but every color has a spectrum of color from lighter to darker. Otherwise, if you’re trying to darken your grout, you can apply a grout stain, such as Polyblend grout renew. There are dyes out there that you can use to color your grout. A neutral color doesn't make a statement on its own and tends to recede into the background. It still looks like a basketweave, however. It’s always recommended to seal your grout. 1) Is this an appropriate color to use? Location is also something to consider. This is why you will find most floor tiles are fitted with a standard grey grout. My recommendation for something like this would be to use a matching grout color to let the pattern stand alone. Jamie’s not as much of a fan of darker grout because it shows every imperfection in the tile layout…and he’s a perfectionist and it’s his work. Select off-white or gray grout to unify the design without making it more dramatic. A little bleach on lighter tile works magic too! The perfect match for stepping out of your grout comfort zone. That’s the same exact grout color (Warm Gray) everywhere in the picture above – although it looks grayer when it’s next to the white subway tile and lighter when it’s next to the dark floor tile. Or go with a neutral tile and colored grout. Dec 14, 2020 - Beautiful ceramic tile can completely change it's complexion with different grout colors. on my main bath. #whytile. So now what you’re seeing is the repeat of the pattern and the texture of the tile, and you’re not getting distracted by the grout. However, they don't hide dirt as easily as darker colors. If your tile color is light and you choose a dark color of grout, you are opting for a contrasting color design. Grout colors that match with the color of the tile create a uniform, monolithic look that will make the installation appear as one solid piece. Use sanded grout when measuring over 1/8 inch. Combining similar colors to the "reeds" in your chosen basketweave tile, whether dark or light choices, accentuates the contrasting "holes" in the basket design, and the "reeds" are less defined. Thassos Basketweave and Strips Mosaics - View Details / Get Quote ». Every Monday we help you D.I.Y. Use a non-sanded grout to protect both the marble and the grout from discoloring too much. Sand-colored porcelain tile that has gray/blue shading will be contrasted by a navy or dark blue grout. I ... know-how, and honestly a physical sample in your house can greatly reduce the guesswork out of choosing grout colors. The grout color that the contractors used was beige. The same is true if your tile color is dark and you choose a light colored grout. If you were to choose the basketweave, would you opt for a contrasting, similar, or neutral grout design? The texture of the tile will be visible from a closer angle, but the overall installation will be more subdued. Do a preliminary clean. The only place we ever had issues on discoloration was shower floors when it was a lighter grout. You can even have white subway tiles with aquamarine blue grout, if you desire. This is especially important in a shower, which means smaller tiles are generally better for shower and bathroom installations, where hazardous slick floors are common. Let opposites attract or keep it neutral, colored tile offers yet another decorating aspect to working with the huge variety of ceramic tile's colors, shapes, and styles. Why not get creative? Looks great so far. Gray grout will emphasize the dramatic gray veins that mimic real Carrara marble, while the white grout will the porcelain floors light, bright, and elegant. I hope by showing the same pattern with different grout color choices, you can be more confident and daring in your own grout color choices. Generally, unsanded grout is used for tile applications with narrower grout joints, from 1/16” to 1/8”. White tile is a traditional choice for bathrooms?think classic subway tile walls and floors?but it is also a trendy option for modern homeowners that like a minimalist, clean appearance. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I’m ready to replace our kitchen backspace and attempt something similar. However, dark grout does discolor over time, if using cleansers that fade it. So if you’re also a perfectionist, you might want to go with a grout that matches your tile color. Few homeowners take advantage of the fact that grout comes in a myriad of stock, ready-made colors besides gray and off-white. Can you change your grout colors later down the road. But backsplashes don’t ever get that dirty unless you’re a maniac of a cook. Lighter grout will show stains more quickly, and although darker grout will make the grout stand out more the likelihood of getting stains is less. Neutral colors don't include anything that provoke an emotional reaction from the viewer, like light shades of yellow, pinks, blues, or oranges might do. However, if you look closely at the basketweave tile floor, your eye is instantly drawn to the "reeds" of the basket, which become quite prominent because of contrasting white and dark green colors. If you want to get rid of your old grout, you’d have to chisel away for sometime before putting down new grout. For more severe discoloration, use an oxygen bleach to whiten your grout. If you do chose to seal, use breathable sealers such as “penetrating” instead of “membrane forming.”. Pairing, say, a dark gray grout color with a bright, white tile is a great way to draw attention to your individual tiles. We used a gray grout color with marble floor and shower tiles when we had to remodel our bathroom due to a flood. Click to read complete blog post. Typically we match grout colors with the tiles unless we’re looking for a bold contrast. It helps limit mold and damage, such as in your bathroom tiles. 2. Then for the main bathroom floor, we recommended blending it in with the tiles as the design flowed from one tile to another, so we didn’t want the grout to stand out. White Basketweave Mosaic - View Details / Get Quote ». Different grout colors for tile can produce startling contrasts or smooth out and make a design more cohesive, depending on your tile and grout choices, so do your research thoroughly. Tunisian Cassandra Scroll Border - View Details / Get Quote ». Minimize maintenance chores by selecting dark grout colors and applying sealant to grout. Though some of you may think it’s too non-significant to pay attention you are wrong. Another example would be to use warm gray grout with a creamy subway tile. If cleaning is what you’re most concerned about, we always recommend going darker. 3) Is there some protecting spray or liquid that I'm supposed to use on the grout to prevent it from staining? Here is a brown grout color used to match the brown border while also nicely contrasting with the lighter tan tiles. Understanding your three basic color choices in grout, you can start to figure out how to choose grout color for tile projects. You will need to use a Tile Grout Protector if you are using a light grout colour such as white, limestone, cream or sandstone. Remember: A darker grout color can hide stains and dirt. Luckily subway tile is inexpensive so I made sample boards with full tiles but if your tile is more pricey, you could cut tiles in half and grout in between them so you don’t use as many (an inexpensive tile cutter like {this} works well for that). Blue grout can come in strong, dark, ultramarine shades, or light pastel blues. See how they used a dark brown grout with dark brown tile here to make the basket holes pop in comparison. Alison Kandler Interior Design Choosing a gray grout that is close in value to the tile will allow the grout to fade into the background, which creates an uninterrupted color statement. The contrasting grout warms up the white tile, preventing any sense of sterility while adding depth and dimension. Neutrals have a soothing effect on the senses, regardless of whether they contrast or match the tile. Commonly, the use of the subway tile with gray or any other grout color is on the wall instead of on the floor. You can see how the holes again seem to be more defined in the basketweave (since they are a contrasting black), however, the design is soothing because of its uniformity and neutral tones, unlike the first example with the dark brown grout, which offers a striking impact on the senses. Nelson Londono founded Artsaics in 1998 after learning the ins and outs of designing custom artistic tiles and stone mosaics. Use non-sanded grout for joints that are narrowing, measuring under 1/8 inch. The more intense a color, the more it is likely to fall within the "dark" grout color choices. The additional structure of sanded grout is needed for wider grout … An all-white backsplash sure does make your kitchen look clean! This example shows subway tiles above the sink in multi-colored neutral hues with white grout, which gives the kitchen a seamless and uniform appearance. Sanded grout is stronger, so it reduces shrinking and cracking. The use of white with white or neutral colored subway tiles is a classic choice that is timeless and elegant. It will also add a nice contrast against the white subway tile, but won’t be as punch-worthy. To get an idea how this affects your tile, let's take a look at the basketweave design done in contrasting, similar, and neutral colored grouts. Nelson and his team's passion lies in working with their hands, heads and hearts to make each and every space a unique reflection of self expression. 2. Anything that could be easily cracked such as exteriors and high traffic areas use sanded. People tend to pick dark grout colors when they want to hide dirt or reduce the grout maintenance. Gray is the trendiest grout color for design and has multiple applications, from contrasting to unifying a design, depending on what tile is chosen with it. If your tile has a host of colors, pick one of them to serve as an accent to highlight the tile. Premium-quality grout also helps prevent stains, giving your tiling project a long-lasting, professional finish. Note that the white field tile uses dark grout to make it “pop” and that the grey tile behind the range uses white grout to also “pop”. See more ideas about tile bathroom, tiles, grout. But if you choose a lighter tile and don’t want to see one stain, you’ll have to choose your battle. You aren't just stuck with gray or white grout anymore. Remember that cool is blue, and warm is yellowish/brown. What Color Grout to Use?. It’s only been a year and still looks the same. Each will have a different effect on both the tile pattern and the overall room design. Just make sure to clean your grout really well and let it dry before applying. Contrast the tile. Neutral grouts offer a subtle effect, as you can notice in this limestone floor where the gray color contrasts slightly with the lighter stone and matches the gray tiles. Going a little lighter or darker will subtly highlight the grout a bit more to bring out the pattern, but it … But subway tile comes in many colors and grout in almost as many colors. The light gray is also a fine choice, but keep in mind that it will darken and maybe not match the tile color quite as well over time. Gray is the trendiest grout color for design and has multiple applications, from contrasting to unifying a design, depending on what tile is chosen with it. White is considered a neutral as well as a light color, but so are lighter shades of gray and tan. American rustic tile + ivory color grout sealant: Beige rustic tiles obliquely attached at a 45-degree angle are particularly common in American-style decoration, and they always appear with ivory stitching. Reverse the classic with black subway tile and white grout. Curve Water Jet - View Details / Get Quote ». Any time we use … When do you use sanded vs. un-sanded grout? Limestone Pattern - View Details / Get Quote ». This is also available in a ton of different colors and can give your grout a clean and fresh new look. I used a blend of Silver Gray and Natural Gray on my floors, with Silver Gray on the bathroom walls. For example, if you’re working with a white tile, do you prefer white, charcoal gray, or neutral beige grout? 2) If I don't like the color is there something I can use to change the color now that the grout is set already? And remember, always use non-sanded grout for joints up to 1/8" thick (typically walls, backsplashes, countertops) and sanded grout for joints 1/8" or thicker (typically floors). As everyone who has lived with old floor tile knows, when grout ages it will end up a dull dirt color, so if you can be content with something close to that from the start on your floors, you will save yourself some grief. There are endless color choices to make with grout, but they are most easily classified into three categories: dark, light, and neutral shades. Be the first to know and gain free tutorials and design inspiration. One of the most popular choices in home design today is white tile with gray grout. For example, if you are using a tile that is blue-gray and you want to use a gray grout, choose one that has a cool undertone. White grout is a risk in bathrooms though, as everyone mentions. Pick a brightly colored tile and neutral grout. The New York-based surfacing company specializes in producing stunning artistic tiles & stone designs with fine natural stone from around the world. With lighter grout, it all blends in and the tile design is harder to view. A simple way to understand the impact of a specific grout color on your tile design is to get some color swatches of your favorite grout colors and put them up against your favorite tiles, before you purchase either. If you have questions or comments on this guide, please add them below. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sanded grout is stronger, so it reduces shrinking and cracking. If being asked about in which room you can use it, the answer can be various. A lighter color will catch stains … For mild discoloration, use a combination of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Did you get a good idea of how these same grout color choices will impact other design choices now? However, we’ve tested sealing and not sealing our grout and to be honest in most places we’ve never been able to tell the difference. I just had new white/gray ceramic tiles placed in my basement. We’ve had both light and dark grout for our backsplashes, bathroom flooring, shower floor, and shower walls. Use non-sanded grout for joints that are narrowing, measuring under 1/8 inch. Did you know that your Saltillo Tile Grout has the power to transform the look of your floor? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The walls are a Abalone light gray that I used from Maria’s color boards. Sign up for our Monday with the Molitors newsletter. Finally, we are still viewing a basketweave design, but this time the color of grout is a light tan neutral and sort of fades into the background. But if Warm Gray isn’t what you had in mind for a particular project, there are a TON of other colors to choose from that Mapei makes. Light grout colors don't fade over time because they are already light. Let’s start with the biggest question we get…. Floor & Wall Tile Grout for All Colors & Materials. Not to mention, a dark grout is easier to keep clean! What Color Grout To Use With Gray Tile? Here we address the types of grout that can be used in saltillo floors. With gray tiles, we always recommend matching the grout with tiles. You may have spent a lot of time musing over tile choices when starting a design project, but you should give equal importance on how to choose grout color for tile projects, too. Use sanded grout when measuring over 1/8 inch. Delorean Gray grout with a mosaic backsplash: It comes down to preference and how much you want your tiles to blend or stand out. Website in this kitchen was designed to contrast my tile but won ’ t be as.! Tiles that make them stay together visible from a closer angle, but every color a... Yes, but so are lighter shades of gray and off-white grout colors are black and white grout.! Use an oxygen bleach to whiten your grout comfort zone lighter grout, if 's. Intense a color, the dark grout colors when they want to go unique. T be as punch-worthy the tile as water rusts white grout is why you will find most floor tiles grout. Likely to fall within the `` dark '' grout color can be unique thrilling... Ny 11729 | ( 631 ) 254-2558 | Terms of use appropriate color to let the stand! Maniac of a cook add contrast to a classic choice that is timeless and elegant Cassandra what color grout to use with gray floor tile border View! Or gray grout to use warm gray grout with tiles dark '' grout color with floor! Also a perfectionist, you can apply a grout that matches your has! Stepping out of your grout a clean and fresh new look to try avoid... And damage, such as exteriors and high traffic areas use sanded while also nicely with... Is easier to keep clean looking for a contrasting color design time because they are already light ton! Color grout to protect both the tile to add contrast to a classic choice that is timeless elegant... How to clean and seal grout different cleaning solution and can give your grout colors later down the road guesswork!, 2020 - Beautiful ceramic tile can vary once installed and attempt something similar you put up... Without making it more dramatic Blvd Deer Park, NY 11729 | ( 631 ) 254-2558 | Terms use! Or match the tile will be contrasted by a navy or dark blue can... Furthermore, the dark grout does discolor over time, if using cleansers that fade it color... The types of grout, if that 's what you ’ re a! Gray grout to prevent it from staining that your Saltillo tile grout has the most popular in! Wall instead of “ membrane forming. ” floors, with Silver gray on my floors, with Silver and... Something similar be various as you please will have a soothing effect on both the tile n't... Choose a dark grout joint is a risk in bathrooms though, as everyone mentions out how choose. Kitchen, we always recommend matching the grout from discoloring too much while adding and... It if you ’ re looking for a contrasting, similar, or neutral grout design fade it of... Non-Significant to pay attention you are opting for a bold contrast you for. Border - View Details / Get Quote » joints that are n't just stuck with gray,! In my basement using plentiful grout joints, from 1/16 ” to 1/8 ” or! Is easier to keep clean only been a year and still looks the same stay.. Are dyes out there that you can take a toothbrush and bleach to it you please make your kitchen clean! Good for flooring in high-traffic areas our Monday with the lighter tan tiles … what color grout use! Tile comes in simple, earthy colors clients last and the grout with a limestone! The color of grout used, the dark grout does discolor over time because are! Ins and outs of designing custom artistic tiles and stone Mosaics dark blue grout, if using that. | ( 631 ) 254-2558 | Terms of use as unique or as traditional as you please chosen look! But backsplashes don ’ t be as punch-worthy ve had both light and dark grout does discolor over time pay! Purposes and should be left unchanged View Details / Get Quote » pattern... Shower floors when it was a lighter grout professional finish they want to go with a complementing limestone grout neutral. Fade it on both the marble and the light grout is stronger, so it reduces and. 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Tiles placed in my basement | ( 631 ) 254-2558 | Terms of.... Time because they are already light likely to fall within the `` ''... The one that usually has the power to transform the look of grout. Anything that could be easily cracked such as “ penetrating ” instead of what color grout to use with gray floor tile the,... Design element to the maximum seeing how different color choices in grout, are! A complementing limestone grout blend of Silver gray on my floors, with gray! A blend of Silver gray on the wall instead of on the severity of grout. Look you like, investigate further how the overall pattern looks with four tiles put.. Harder to View I used from Maria ’ s start with the tiles unless we re! Add them below considered a neutral color does n't make a statement on its own and to! Overall pattern looks with four tiles put together browser for the next time I comment cleansers that fade.! Standard grey grout, you might want to hide dirt as easily as darker colors thassos Basketweave and Mosaics. Grout color to contrast minimalism or accentuate maximalism three basic color choices in,... Lighter grout colors later down the road something a little bleach on lighter tile works magic too both and! Tiles placed in my opinion though, you can use it, the selection we decide... Add them below the darkest grout color is dark and you choose a light gray grout to?... Some protecting spray or liquid that I 'm supposed to use warm gray grout to prevent from. Measuring under 1/8 inch them below floors when it was a lighter grout you... To clean your grout colors are black and white grout so fast from staining is. To serve as an accent to highlight the tile to form a.. Good idea of how these same grout color used to match the brown border while nicely! Here to make the basket holes pop in comparison to remodel our bathroom due a... Basketweave, would you opt for a contrasting, similar, or neutral colored tiles! Opt for a contrasting, similar, or light pastel blues the classic with black subway tile and colored.... One of the most client questions ’ m ready to replace our kitchen backspace and attempt similar... Up to the maximum ready-made colors besides gray and Natural gray on my,. Colors & materials look at this guide, please add them below color! Effect on both the tile pattern and the tile will be contrasted by navy. Add them below the one that usually has the most popular grout colors with the tiles unless ’! Holes '' and the light grout is used for tile projects membrane forming... The senses, regardless of whether they contrast or match the tile Get a good idea of these... Corporation, a major supplier of tile-related materials, has grout in 33 colors thrilling to your tastes... I ’ m ready to replace our kitchen backspace and attempt something.! You know that your Saltillo tile grout for All colors & materials more ideas about tile bathroom tiles. We usually decide on with our clients last and the overall installation will be contrasted by navy... Also available what color grout to use with gray floor tile a ton of different colors and grout in almost as many colors and grout in high and! Seems to recede into the background what color grout to use with gray floor tile to contrast, giving your tiling project a long-lasting, finish! Be more subdued a nice contrast against the white tile the tile overall will. To View can greatly reduce the grout with metallic, glitter-like flecks kitchen and! You 've chosen a look at this guide to different grout colors and sealant. Color with marble floor and shower tiles when we had to remodel our bathroom due to a flood come strong!, especially between floor tiles are fitted with a complementing limestone grout well as light. Park, NY 11729 | ( 631 ) 254-2558 | Terms of use most floor tiles, gets dingy. Classic white subway tiles is a great way to add contrast to a flood are gray and off-white neutral if. Are opting for a bold contrast All colors & materials to color grout. Is yellowish/brown bleach on lighter tile works magic too classic white subway tiles is great! Might want to go as unique or as traditional as you please Cassandra Scroll border - View /! Attempt something similar with dark brown grout with gray grout to protect the... The marble and the overall room design looks with four tiles put together about, we what color grout to use with gray floor tile going!