Get A Grip On Grout: How To Pick The Right Colour

(Image credit: Derek Swalwell)

Oh, grout....often an afterthought in a bathroom renovation for many homeowners. With so many decisions to be made, the colour of the space between tiles barely seems like a significant design element, but au contraire folks, it can transform the whole look. The colour of grout determines whether the eye is drawn to individual tiles or the overall pattern of the tiles.

THE THREE BASIC APPROACHES

Decide whether you want your grout colour to match, complement or contrast the tile. Each will have a different effect on the tile pattern and overall room design. If you choose to match grout, lines are less pronounced, which puts the spotlight on the tile and not the way in which it is laid. It can make space feel larger and is best for beautiful tiles with a basic layout.  When you complement the grout tile with neutral colours like greys, beiges, and browns it's usually just a safe bet. You might not hate it, but you might not love it either. The point is that it'll just work either way.  However, when you contrast the grout color to the tile, you're drawing attention to the pattern and layout of the tile. You see this happening often when designers and homeowners who want to accentuate detailed geometric or decorative tiles. Some people love it for the bold, busy, and historic look. 

EXPERIMENT

We recommend using a grout selection chart with removable samples to help you decide.  Lay out your tile and move your grout sample around and in between your tile. This will give you a better idea of the overall effect. I like to have a wet clothe around just to wipe over the tile to get a truer sense of how it would look sealed as well. Our favourite brand of grout to use is Mapei for their wide selection of grout colours. Psssst, they also have grout with glitter for the love of all things sparkle.

LIGHT VS. DARK

There are pros and cons to both ends of the spectrum. Light grout looks fresh but are prone to showing dirt and usually requires more cleaning. darker grout hides dirt and stains better so you can get away with cleaning it less but they are more prone to fading. Colours in the middle like grey, beige, tan, and light brown are the easiest to keep clean and less prone to fading, but may not alway be the slickest looking colour against your tile.