
Full Answer
How to choose the best tile grout?
Types of Grout
- Cement. The most classic of grout options. It has been used in applications for years and years. ...
- Epoxy. Epoxy grout is one of the most durable options available, even though it’s a relatively new one. ...
- Furan Resin. A highly chemical resistant type of grout, Furan is made without the presence of water. ...
What grout color should you choose for your tile?
Which color combinations go well together?
- White subway tile and black grout. ...
- Gray tile with gray grout. ...
- Black tile with white grout. ...
- White subway tile with white grout. ...
- Gray tile with white grout. ...
- Black tile with gray grout. ...
- Pink tile and light pink grout. ...
- Marble tile with white grout. ...
- Light blue tiles with white grout. ...
- Light pink tiles with white grout. ...
Which type of grout is best for my tile?
Unsanded Grout:
- Stickier and easier to work with than sanded grout.
- Perfect for tiling on walls or vertical surfaces.
- Won’t scratch soft, smooth or polished tile and stone.
Does tile grout come in other colors besides white?
Predictably, the most popular grout colors are gray and off-white. Few homeowners take advantage of the fact that grout comes in a myriad of stock, ready-made colors besides gray and off-white. Mapei Corporation, a major supplier of tile-related materials, has grout in 33 colors. Laticrete has 40 grout colors.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a Grout Color
So how do you select a grout color? First, figure out what kind of statement you want to make with your tile design. With white tile, the shade of your grout will determine if it is a feature element or it's meant to be a neutral backdrop in the room. If you want your tile to stand out more, a contrasting grout color will do the trick.
1. Gray
Emily Henderson has a practical stance for what color grout to use with white tile. "My answer is gray. Always gray. Why? Keeping white grout white just feels impossible to me, so I always prefer gray." White subway tile with gray grout is a classic combination, and luckily, there are many shades of gray to work with your decor.
2. White
If you want a more classic feel in your kitchen or bath, don't sleep on white grout. As we mentioned earlier, cleaning can be a bit tedious but you can also opt for a stain-resistant grout to make the job easier. There is no denying the light and airy look of white subway tile with matching grout.
3. Black
It's no surprise that pairing dark charcoal or black grout with white tile results in a striking contrast that would work well in a variety of situations, but none more so than a black and white bathroom.
4. Blue
A stylish cook space in Culver City, California by Caitlin McCarthy demonstrates how using darker-colored grout — in this case, a beautiful navy blue — creates a special design moment. When you pick a kitchen tile in an interesting shape like this Daisy Chaine Homme by Fireclay, you really don't want to pass up an opportunity to make it stand out.
5. Turquoise
We thought this colorful backsplash by Janell Marie Design was really inspired. Instead of simply going with all-white tile and colored grout, she threw a hexagon-shaped, light gray tile into the mix and used a bright turquoise grout to create an outstanding display. The vibrant scheme would pair beautifully with white or light wood cabinets.
6. Green
Using colored grout puts an instant twist on classic square tile as demonstrated by this bathroom spotted on Phoenix Tapware. If you're creating a kids' bathroom or want to do something dazzling in a powder room, Zoë Feldman agrees, "I think experimenting with grout can be a great way to add or enhance ordinary tile and the whole space itself.
What color grout to use with white subway tile and marble in bathroom
Hi there. My bathroom will look identical to the photos attached. White subway tile on walls and octagon Carrera on floors. What color grout should I use for the subway tile?
Comments (7)
I like a light gray grout (silver or warm gray) with subway tile and marble.
What is high contrast grout?
High contrast is a design choice that you have to be prepared for. It looks great, but it does have a strong presence and will be the center of attention. Surround dark grey grout or bright colored grout with neutral décor and color schemes so it doesn’t have to compete with other elements in the room.
What happens if you outshines tile?
If it outshines your tile, the tile can look old or dingy. It is also difficult to get clean. All grout will darken some with age so the brightness of the white may dull. On the other hand, it produces a clean, monochromatic look that’s classic.
Can you change the color of grout?
There are even grout stains so you can change the color if you change your mind. There are three conversations surrounding grout and they center on color, spacing, and visual impact. Here’s a closer look at each.
Can you use narrow grout for monochrome?
Narrower grout lines are more understated but you can still use a high-contrast grout to set the tiles apart. A narrow gro ut spacing also can have more of a monochrome effect even with a grout ...
What is the difference between white subway tile and white grout?
Other than that, the combo can also produce a lightness feeling. White subway tile with white grout is neutral.
What color backsplash goes well with blue grout?
The pure white color of the backsplash that is not distracted by the grout tone makes the blue color pops well. It even becomes the center of attention in the kitchen area. Thanks to the neutral character of the white subway tile.
Why use subway tile for backsplash?
The use of white subway tile as the backsplash behind the stove here is just right. It makes everything more practical and efficient , particularly because it is easier to clean, so there is no need to worry about the splashes resulted from cooking activities.
What is subway tile?
As we already told you earlier, white subway tiles are a material that is used quite often in a bathroom interior. Here the function is quite various, started from wall, backsplash, until a complete covering for a shower room, as you can see in the picture of a traditional bathroom above.
What color countertop breaks the white color of the cabinets?
The choice of the two-tone stone countertop here is just excellent. It breaks the continuing white color of the cabinets and backsplash. In other words, it creates a contrast in the design.
What color mosaic tile will make a niche invisible?
You can imagine how the niche will look when the black, white, and grey colors of the mosaic tile do not exist. The uniform look of the subway tile material will make the niche invisible.
What color cabinets are used in a traditional kitchen?
As you can see, the main storage used in this traditional kitchen is white recessed-panel cabinets , which color looks similar to the subway tile backsplash. That is why, in a glance, both of them seem like a continuation.
Is a sconce better than a bar light?
And sconces on each side of the mirror is usually a better idea than a bar light since attractive bar lights are few and far between.
Can you remove grout and replace it?
Photos by Macy Yap Photography. And yes, it’s true that you can remove grout and replace it again, but in many cases, that is not going to happen. So we ended up solving the problem with a coordinating paint colour instead.
Can you use dirty white grout on white tile?
This is because I have been in hundreds of bathrooms over the years that were filled with white tile and yes, you guessed it, dirty white grout.
How do I grout a tile floor?
You can buy premixed grout but since the bagged grout is cheaper, I went with that. Using a disposable bowl and plastic spoon, I poured some of the grout mix into the bowl and added a little bit of water at a time until it got to the right consistency (you want it well blended but not runny). Read the directions on the grout bag – let it sit for a few minutes after mixing if the directions state to do that like mine did. Then trowel it onto your tile, pressing it into the gaps. I happened to have a little trowel but a putty knife would work just fine for this too!
Where can I buy Mapei grout?
All of these are Mapei Keracolor grout – the same named grout might look totally different in a different brand so only use this as a guide to this specific brand! You can buy Mapei grout at Lowe’s or order it online: unsanded Pewter {here} | unsanded Silver {here} | unsanded Warm Gray {here} | unsanded Frost {here} If you want to go for a darker gray, check out Mapei’s Gray, Timberwolf, Iron, & Pearl Gray.
How many tiles should I glue down for each sample?
I glued down four tiles for each sample. If you have tile spacers, you can use them to get the same distance between your tiles as you’ll have on your walls (mine are 1/16″ spacers like {these}) but they’re not worth buying just for the sample boards – you can do the same thing with a ruler if you don’t have a tiler to snag a few from.
Can you use glue gun to glue tiles?
I snagged a plywood remnant from our renovation and used {this glue gun} to glue my tiles onto the board. You could use a different type of adhesive including the mastic adhesive used for tile or liquid nails, but the glue gun dries instantly so you can make your sample board quickly. Just be sure to put each tile in place on your board immediately after you put the hot glue on the back before it dries!
What is subway tile?
Classic subway tile, like the kind you see in the New York City subway, is white tile with dark grout. One of the most popular choices in home design today is white tile with gray grout. But subway tile comes in many colors and grout in almost as many colors. Why not get creative?
What is grout stain?
Grout stains are an excellent solution when your grout doesn’t come out as expected. They help even out color or can make your grout darker. Most grout stains also act as sealers to protect grout from discoloration and stains.
Why does grout color change?
If you use a grout that requires the addition of water, the color can be affected by how much water is added, how long the grout cures, and other factors. That means that the color might vary slightly from what you expected.
Which grouts produce more even coloring?
Urethane and epoxy grouts produce more even coloring.
Do you need to seal cement grout?
Speaking of sealers, it is a necessity to seal all cement-based grout. Epoxy and urethane grout doesn’t need to be sealed, but cement-based grouts are very porous and can easily be stained by spills or regular wear. For more on this subject, I suggest Daltile's article for selecting the right type of grout for your tile.
Can grout darken over time?
If you want to highlight a color or accent in your tile, like the gray veins in a marble tile, go for a close match, or a bit darker than that shade in your tile. Grout, especially cement-based grout, can darken over time, especially in high-traffic areas .
Is subway tile grout simple?
Subway tile grout might seem simple, but there is more to consider than you may know.
