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Choosing a grout colour that ages well
Grout is a small part of the room but it changes how the tile looks — and it is the part that shows dirt first. A few simple choices keep it looking good for years.
Blend in or stand out
- A grout close to the tile colour makes the joints disappear and the surface read as one — good for small rooms and busy tiles.
- A contrasting grout draws every joint: great for showing off a herringbone or a zellige wall, less forgiving if the tiles are not perfectly straight.
Floors: go a shade darker
On floors, a mid grey or a shade darker than the tile hides everyday dirt far better than white. Very light grout on a floor usually needs more cleaning to keep it that colour.
Cement or epoxy
- Cement-based grout is easy to work with and suits most walls and floors; sealing it helps it resist stains.
- Epoxy grout resists stains and water much better — a good choice for showers, kitchen benches and floors that get messy — but it sets quickly and takes more care to apply.
Test it first
Grout dries to a different shade from the wet colour and from the swatch. Grout a few spare tiles on a board, let it dry and look at it in the room’s light before you commit.