When designing our kitchen, we spent weeks (months?) deciding on backsplash and floor tiles. It had, after all, been my dream forever to buy a home a cover it in colorful tile. But when the tile installer came and asked us what color grout we wanted, I realized we hadn’t thought about that at all. And guess what?? It actually totally changes the look and feel of the tile itself and of the space as a whole. We ended up picking a dark green grout color that matched the tile. We didn’t want to outline each brick in a contrasting color like white–that would have made the backsplash look much more busy. Also, since these tiles are handmade, the darker grout helped to hide any cracks or chips in any of the tiles, where as the white grout would have accentuated the differences between each tile.
Here in the home of Emily Katz and Adam Porterfield (an outtake shot Form The New Bohemians) simple white circle tiles on the floor and walls are used with a contrasting black grout, creating a striking graphic motif. It’s a way to get a strong looking pattern without actually using patterned tile. Imagine how different this bathroom would look if they had used white grout!
Here, in Erica Tanov’s bathroom, (another outtake from the book) they chose a square mosaic tile in a soft gray and used white grout, creating a softer and more subtle pattern.
In Stella Alberti’s kitchen — two grout colors were used — a white grout color for the walls, and a blue grout on the counters.
A few weeks ago, while on a family expedition to the Autry Museum, I notices this blue tile (which is a similar hue to the tile color we’ve chosen for our master bathroom remodel) and the grout color was terra cotta. I was sold. This week our master bath tile will be installed with this earthy grout color, and I can’t wait to see how it translates in the bathroom.
So if you’re tiling in your home, while choosing tiles I recommend simultaneously choosing grout colors (image via Installer Store). As you can see, the grout color choice can profoundly affect the overall look and feel of the space. If you need help deciding, check out this Grout Selector Tool I came across via this post on Apartment Therapy (great post to read it if you’re choosing grout). Stay tuned for more updates on my home remodel on my Periscope channel.
Photo Outtakes From The New Bohemians are by Dabito.
Photo of my kitchen by Danae Horst.
Great post! I did a green tile backsplash in my kitchen and used white grout, and immediately after I put it in thought, damn, I should’ve used green! Ah well. It’s grown on me over time. :) I loooooove your kitchen and Emily Katz’ bathroom. I have a bathroom redo coming up and her bathroom has inspired me big time.
Ahh yay thanks yeah it’s totally one of those things that can be an afterthought but has a pretty dramatic affect on the space. I love Emily’s bathroom too. I was just in awe of how pretty it was the whole time we were shooting in there!
What brand of grout did you use for your kitchen ? I’m having trouble finding it for the tiles
I feel like between choosing the tile and the grout, it might take me a year to decide! I do love the contrasting colors though and I’m excited to see how your bathroom tile turns out!!
Hi, Must say a very beautiful and colorful Kitchen. I can see your love for botanicals but wonder how you maintain them especially indoors. Isn’t it very tough? Please suggest something on how to take care of these plants.
And whatever color you choose, seal the grout after it cures! Keeping grout clean can be a nightmare otherwise.
I put choosing grout color right up there with choosing the color of roof shingles. Not something you give much thought to but it can make a huge difference if you’re not happy with the outcome.
Great post, Justina!
Here Here! Grout color, tile placement – both hugely important factors. For those choosing contrast grout color- you need to have a really competent Tiler too. Tiling is like icing the cake!
Hey, I love the grout selector tool. Thank you! I used all over the same color as the tile, maybe a little lighter. That was a good one: Tiling is like icing the cake! :)
What is the exact green tile and grout that you used in the kitchen? It looks really good!
Sorry I can’t remember the exact color. We just picked the one that was closest to the color of the tile. Good luck!
Justina, another big fan in NC here. We are installing the green tile from Badia tomorrow. The builder and I have not yet found a grout color near the green tile color. Where did you shop for your grout…store or grout provider please?
Hey, sorry I can’t be of more help — the tile installer had samples and we chose the dark green he had (which was very grey with a hint of green. Not sure about the source though. Good luck with your install! I think a dark grey would go the trick if you can’t find the greyish/gree.
Perfect. I was just wondering the same thing, and I’ve been having trouble finding a dark green unsanded grout. Wasn’t sure how well it would work if I tried to color the grout myself. I got the bejmat samples from Badia, but went with “koi pond” by Cle instead.
Make sure that when you are choosing grout, you can get coordinating caulk. And while we are talking grout, Laticrete has a new product that can match any Benjamin Moore paint. That’s right… you just need your paint fan to make a great selection. I was enamored with this at a recent tradeshow and wanted to share!
Hi! I love tils colour of your kitchen, could you help me to find those tils provider and identify the colour? Many thanks!
All the sources for our kitchen are in this post: http://www.thejungalow.com/2015/08/boho-kitchen-reveal-the-whole-enchilada.html
Hi!
I put green handmade tiles in my entry and wanted to use green grout but now we’ve discovered that they have discontinued all of the green grout colors from the company we were going to use and can’t find any other store in town that has green grout. Can you suggest a company that makes green grout?
Thank you!
Jan
Hi Jan! Have you checked these folks out? https://laticrete.com/support-and-downloads/marketing-support/grout-selector
Hi I am using Artigiano AR 94 Tremiti sand what grout should I use thanks
hello. I have been looking for Jade green backsplash tile for ever!! where did you buy it?
My master bedroom is in the process of being renovated and I am stumped as to what to do for the new grout color. I had no idea that it’s easier to choose a grout color while you’re picking out your tile. It definitely seems to me like the color of the grout can change the overall appearance of the tile it surrounds. Thank you for the helpful information!
Hi, I know this was a while ago but any chance you can tell me what brand and colour of grout you used for your wall tiles. I know you mentioned dark green and we have similar coloured tiles in our kitchen (thanks for the inspiration!) but i am having trouble sourcing coloured grout in Aus.
Thanks, Belinda
Hi
I love tiles color of your kitchen. I can see your love for botanicals but wonder how you maintain them especially indoors. Please suggest something on how to take care of these plants. Thanks for the sharing your great article.
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I am still not finding the source of the green backsplash- could you please tell me what it is called and where to order please? Rosemary
When it came to the Exterior Tiles designed, especially on our kitchen, choosing the gout color for tile must be put into consideration, and have a good time to choose because it may affect the design and colors of tiles you used in the area you have put on.
I just read this article on your blog about choosing grout colors for tile. I thought it was really helpful and insightful! Yours is one of the most valuable sources of information I know when it comes to remodeling our home :)
I really enjoyed your post and found it very useful. I’m in the middle of a big project for my home and am currently deciding on grout colors. The Grout Selector Tool you mentioned is great! Keep up the good work with your blog, I’ll be following along.
I came across your article “Choosing Grout Colors for Tile” and had to share. It’s such an awesome article!
The part about grouts was really interesting—especially the science of it all (knowing how light reflects off different colors). I’m not surprised that black is a popular color because it can go with any type of tile. And I’m glad you mentioned the importance of matching the coffee table in a living room to the floor tile in order to have continuity throughout a space.
I came across this article about the tile backsplash you installed in your kitchen. Beautiful! I love how you picked a dark green grout color that matches the tile.
Thank you for the article “How to Pick Grout Colors” that you posted on your blog. I really appreciate this post because it helped me out with my current project. I am currently working on a backsplash in our kitchen and was having trouble choosing grout colors when I saw your post. Your advice really helped me make my decision! Thanks again for sharing!
Thanks for the post on choosing grout colors for tiles! I’m sure a lot of people are looking for that kind of information.
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Thanks for the post on choosing grout colors! I’m a big fan of white circle tiles too. I think they’re a great way to get a strong looking pattern without actually using patterned tile.
Thanks for the great post on choosing tile colors! We’re in the process of designing our kitchen and your post was really helpful.