How to Choose the Right Grout Color

Choosing tile is only half the battle—grout color plays an oversized role in how tiled walls, backsplashes, floors, and other areas look and wear. There aren’t exactly rules for tile and grout combinations, but some look better than others. Learning how to choose grout color starts with getting a clear vision of your goals and options, whether you want a bold tile job that stands out or you prefer something more traditional and monochromatic.

Here are ten questions to ask yourself when choosing the right tile grout colors for your project.

1. What Are Your Preferences?

The cost to install tile floors and walls is a big investment, so you want to make informed decisions you’re happy with for the long run. Start by researching your options for tile and grout combinations. You’ll quickly see how grout choice impacts the overall look of tiled areas. 

Contrasting grout stands out and can create a complex look, while matching grout gives the appearance of a continuous surface. Think about your overall design preferences and how various grout and tile combinations would work within your decor scheme. Keep a collection of images you like so you can refer back to them when making decisions.

A local tile contractor will be able to share expert recommendations and trade rules of thumb, but ultimately, design choices are personal. That said, it’s a good idea to consider how long you plan to be in your house when choosing tile and grout color combinations. If you’re living in your forever home, going a little wild with tile can be a fun way to make a statement, but if you’re planning to sell soon, a busy or distracting tile job may turn off potential buyers.

2. Where Are You Installing the Tile?

Next, think about where the tiled space is. If it’s highly visible or in a common area, you may want to choose grout that matches the tiles so that the tile installation doesn’t steal the visual show. For example, a contrasting grout may look too busy in the kitchen, especially on walls and backsplashes. 

Location can also help you consider how much use and foot traffic the tile will see. Light grout on floors can darken because of frequent use; choosing a darker grout can help mask stains so you won’t need to clean as frequently. The same goes for grout in showers, where grout is susceptible to mildew and discoloration. 

You’ll get the best value for your tile installation cost if you make smart choices for the location.

3. How Big Is the Area?

Most homeowners choose to be more conservative with grout colors when they’re tiling a large area; a smaller area, meanwhile, may benefit from the visual pop of a bold grout color. For these reasons, neutral and monochromatic tile and grout color combinations tend to be popular for kitchens and floors. On the other hand, bathroom tile trends and shower tile ideas make room for bolder choices, contrasting grout, and standout tile grout colors.

Think about the overall size of the tiled area and whether bright or very visible grout lines will add some much-needed visual interest or become distracting.

4. What Color Is the Tile?

Have you chosen a bold tile color or bright white tile? Then you may want to choose a neutral or matching grout color to keep things from looking too busy, especially if the tiled area is large or in a prominent location, like a kitchen backsplash. 

Conversely, you can make a design statement in an otherwise unexciting space by choosing a light tile with bolder grout, or a dark tile with light grout that highlights the shape of the tiles and the spaces between them.

5. Is the Tile Patterned or Multicolored?

If you’ve chosen wildly patterned or multicolored tiles, a more neutral grout color will coordinate with all of the tiles in the application or match the base tile color or veining in the tiles. If your tile has many colors in it, choose a grout that matches the most prominent color or tone. Patterned tile often looks best with a grout color that blends into the edges of the tiles so that the demarcation between tiles isn’t so obvious.

6. What Shape is the Tile?

Large square or rectangular tiles have fewer grout lines than tiny tiles or tiles with complex shapes. So if you’re going big with your tiles, you could be safe choosing a bolder grout color.

However, if you choose small or busy tile shapes, such as round penny tiles or mosaic tile, and the installation is large, you may be better off selecting a more neutral or matching grout color. Likewise, interesting or nontraditional tile shapes such as arabesque or chain patterns can look overwhelming with bold grout because so much grout is visible.

7. What is the Tile Finish?

Tile finish can affect how the tiles look in various lighting and from different angles. Glossy tiles that reflect a lot of light can appear lighter than their actual color, for example, while matte tiles can look flatter or darker. Keep this in mind when choosing grout, and look for grout that coordinates with the way the tiles look from different angles; this often means choosing a lighter grout color for shiny tiles and a darker grout color for matte tiles.

8. What Other Colors are Around?

If your kitchen is visible from the living room and the color schemes are different in the two rooms, think twice about choosing a bold grout that could end up clashing. Instead, you can tie everything together by choosing a grout color that coordinates with the tones in both rooms, creating a unified look.

9. What Type of Edge Does the Tile Have?

Tiles with smooth edges that fit tightly together need smaller grout lines, so you can go bolder with your grout choice—especially if the tiles are larger or the tiled area is smaller. When you install ceramic tile with rough edges or tiles that vary in size, they’ll likely require wider grout lines, so you may want to choose grout that blends in so that lines aren’t as obvious.

10. Do Your Grout Options Meet Your Goals?

Finally, review your options in light of whether you prefer more traditional tile and grout color combinations or if you want to go bold with your tile grout color. Matching grout to tile color gives a classic look that highlights the tile itself, while contrasting grout helps turn a tiled area into a statement piece. Neutral grout is a balancing act that gives some added visual appeal but doesn’t steal the show.

You’ll also want to consider whether the grout is likely to become dirty and need frequent cleaning (review how to clean floor tile grout so that you’re not surprised by what it takes to get grout clean).