Grout Colour Advice

There are so many choices when it comes to grout colour. That may seem unnecessary, surely there is no need for a grey, an off white, a sandy brown, or many of the other colours? When it comes down to a perfectly put together interior design, it is all in the details.

Grout 101

But first, what is grout? Is grouting necessary?

A tile installation is incomplete without grout. In essence, grout is a mixture of cement, water, lime and colouring agent. It’s used to fill the gaps between tiles to align tiles that are not perfectly formed.

A wide range of benefits can be gained from grout installation. One advantage is that it gives your wall or floor a polished appearance. Another perk is you can keep dirt out of the spaces between and underneath your tiles by using grout. It also makes the setup of your tiles more rigid and durable.

What is the most popular grout colour?

The standard colours used for grout are those with neutral tones. These include limestone grey, almond, white & beige. Those are typically found in most home designs today. However, grout can come in almost any colour, according to your needs. So bolder colours are an option. You can request to get specific colours like blue, green and red.

How to Pick the Right Grout Colour

Determine the type of grout to use

The grout you choose has an enormous impact on the outcome of your tile installation. It could result in tiles that are aesthetically pleasing and perform well for their whole lifetime. Or it could result in tiles that gradually deteriorate into something unsightly. So it’s important to spend some time thinking about the type of grout to use for your home.

There are different types of grout available. There’s the regular cement grout. Epoxy grouts are becoming increasingly popular for mosaic tiles and kitchen backsplashes. Meanwhile, sandy grout is typically used for external applications.

The type of grout that is right for a specific job is highly dependent on various factors, such as how far apart your tiles are. So to choose the type of grout to use, you must first determine what kind of tiles you’re using.

There are options for floor tiles or wall tiles and the finishing of grout using a sealant for waterproofing.

Do you want your grout to camouflage, complement or contrast?

Once you’ve decided on the type of grout you’ll be using, consider whether you want it to contrast, complement or camouflage.

Contrast: Make an impact with your tile installation by using contrasting grout to draw attention to your tiles. Grout colours that contrast your tiles work well with various interior design styles and make any room look elegant, chic and sophisticated. An example of this is black grout on white tiles. A dark grout surrounding a light tile can accentuate the tile's shape.

Complement: Usually, homeowners choose grout colours that complement their tile to achieve a seamless look. For instance, if you have grey tiles, you can use grout with a soft grey colour. If your tiles are multicoloured, pick a grout colour that complements the colour scheme.

Camouflage: If you want your tiles and grout to blend and appear as one solid unit, you can choose a grout colour identical to your tiles.

Other factors to consider

Size of area: Consider the size of the tiled area. Contrasting grout colours produce a more complex appearance. In large spaces, the effect could become disorienting or distracting. Meanwhile, matching grout colours provide a more seamless appearance. As a result, small areas will look more spacious.

Location of tiles: Backsplash tiles and wall tiles usually appear in your line of vision more than floor tiles. Note that this makes the grout colour for backsplash and wall tiles more noticeable.

Room design: Consider the style of the room that your tiles are in. Grout colours that match your tiles can help you achieve a minimalist aesthetic. Contrasting grout colours can add extra visual interest.

Furniture: Select grout colours that go well with your furniture. If you have decor made from wood, you can opt for grout colours with red or brown undertones.

Tile shape: if you have circular tiles and not square ones, the grout colours are more visible. So if you want your circular tiles to be the main attraction instead of your grout, pick a grout colour similar to your tile.

Tile finish: Tiles with a high sheen, such as light grey gloss tiles, can look different in actuality. Compared to tile samples, they can become lighter in colour once they’re installed in your place. So consider this when picking a grout colour, and go for lighter shades.

Tile pattern: For patterned tiles, such as grey marble effect porcelain tiles, consider using thin grout lines to highlight the tile pattern. For dark grey patterned tiles, you can choose pale grey, limestone or other neutral-coloured grout.

Should grout be lighter or darker than tile?

Your choice of colour depends on your design goals. As a rule of thumb, lighter colours blend with your tile design, and darker colours add a sense of drama. Dark-coloured grout is also better at hiding stains, making it suitable for areas with high foot traffic or areas heavily exposed to grease.

What grout works with grey tiles?

It's no secret that grey is one of the most popular tile colours due to its elegant appearance. When choosing grout colour for grey tiles, a factor to consider is where the tiles are located. However, one's aesthetic preference also plays a role. Grey tiles/limestone coloured grout is a popular combination. You can also opt for light grey, dark grey, cream and charcoal grout.

What colour grout to use with blue tile?

Blue is another popular colour for wall and floor tiles due to its soothing vibe. In the case of colourful tiles, it’s important to see the tile pattern and shape. So consider going for a soft contrast by choosing a grey grout/blue tile combination.

Your choice of grout colour ultimately depends on both tile design and your personal preference. At Beswick Stone, we offer grouts that nicely complement the stone and porcelain tiles.

Take on your next tiling project with confidence. Check out our grout products for wall and floor tiles today.