got grout?

Grout, grout, grout. Who would have thought that such a thin little line could completely change the look of a whole design? (I'm rhymin' and stealin' today, huh?!)

Choosing the right grout color can drastically affect the outcome of your tile project, yet it's often a decision that is overlooked. So many people I have talked to have left this decision up to the tile supplier or their tile installer- and this can be a recipe for "not cute"! Most of the time, that means you will end up with gray grout- and that's not usually going to complement the tile or the overall project.

So why does it really matter? Check out these installations, using the same tile- but different grout colors:


Tile with black grout



Same tile with almond grout (laid on the horizontal, though)


See what I mean? This same tile takes on a whole new look with a different grout color! Here's another example using red glass tiles:


Red glass tile with red grout



Red glass tile with white grout


This is a more dramatic example, showing how a contrasting grout (the white) can really make a statement in the design. Contrasting grout color always brings out the geometry of the tile, and this is a strong statement in a room. That can be a good thing, but it's not always the desired result.

Unlike the other photos, the red glass tile with the white grout is not one of my own installations. I don't use white grout, even on wall projects. It is such a high maintenance choice, and rarely stays white- even with sealer or frequent bleach pen treatments. It's evil. Just don't do it. If you do anyway, come back after three months so I can say "I told you so." ;)

Grout in the same color family as the tile (the red on red example) can make the overall installation appear larger and more uniform. It also gives a sleeker, more contemporary look.

You may have chosen to use a multi-colored tile (as shown in the hexagonal mosaic above) so you'll have to make a choice from several grout color options. In that situation, go with the most predominant neutral color in the tile or choose a grout color that is the same as the paint or countertop in the area.

Not everyone gets to start from scratch, of course. If you've "inherited" a place with some grout that you hate, never fear... there are options!

• You can scrape out the existing grout and re-grout. Good luck with that, it's NOT a fun project.
• If you are wanting darker grout, you can stain it yourself. Here's an option. Some products say they can take grout from dark to light, but I haven't seen this with my own two eyes. If anyone has done this successfully, please let me know!
• You can actually hand paint your grout with flat paint. Here's instructions for that.

If anyone has any other option or method that worked well, please chime in and tell us what you did!

Happy Grouting-