Decorating: Turn Up the Tile Style with Gorgeous Coloured Grout
Forget regulation grey or white. Grout is now available in a rainbow of colours, taking even the humblest of tiles to a whole new level
Jo Simmons
2 October 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
In the past, grout was not something to set the pulse racing. It tended to be available in bog-standard shades of grey or white and was simply the stuff that went between the tiles – nothing more exciting than that. Today, however, grout is available in a host of fabulous colours and can bring an extra splash of style to any tiled space. Using coloured grout is also a canny way to perk up inexpensive tiles, as even the plainest white square of ceramic will look graphic and fresh when bordered by bright grout. It’s time to shout about grout!
Create an accent
Coloured tiles and a different-coloured grout used together create wonderful depth of detail, which is perfect as a statement rather than on every wall. Here, blue tiles with a deep-yellow grout ‘zone’ the basin area, creating a focal point against the neutral white tiles behind.
Coloured tiles and a different-coloured grout used together create wonderful depth of detail, which is perfect as a statement rather than on every wall. Here, blue tiles with a deep-yellow grout ‘zone’ the basin area, creating a focal point against the neutral white tiles behind.
Soften up white
An all-white bathroom can read as rather sterile, but the addition of a primrose yellow tap and grout to match works wonders at softening up the space. Here, the bright and cheerful look is continued out into the hallway.
Find out how to choose the right taps for your basin
An all-white bathroom can read as rather sterile, but the addition of a primrose yellow tap and grout to match works wonders at softening up the space. Here, the bright and cheerful look is continued out into the hallway.
Find out how to choose the right taps for your basin
Tie in with timber
A black or dark grey grout would jar against the natural look of the timber walls and shelves in this kitchen, while simple white grout might lack bite. A soft-brown grout is the solution, continuing the earthy notes from the wall above while beautifully framing these off-white tiles.
A black or dark grey grout would jar against the natural look of the timber walls and shelves in this kitchen, while simple white grout might lack bite. A soft-brown grout is the solution, continuing the earthy notes from the wall above while beautifully framing these off-white tiles.
Match to the tiles
Another approach when using coloured grout is to choose it in the same shade as the tile. Rather than highlighting the shape of each tile, this produces a more subtle effect, in which the individual tiles blend and combine to produce a richly coloured and textured wall.
Another approach when using coloured grout is to choose it in the same shade as the tile. Rather than highlighting the shape of each tile, this produces a more subtle effect, in which the individual tiles blend and combine to produce a richly coloured and textured wall.
Make it graphic
Combining dark grout and white tiles has become something of a classic look for both bathrooms and kitchens. A dark grout looks beautifully crisp paired with white tiles, and will neatly show off a pattern of different sizes at its best. Remember, though, that black grout can look rather harsh with pure-white tiles. Often, a dark-grey grout is a better option, delivering impact without looking aggressively monochrome.
Read these tips on choosing the perfect splashback
Combining dark grout and white tiles has become something of a classic look for both bathrooms and kitchens. A dark grout looks beautifully crisp paired with white tiles, and will neatly show off a pattern of different sizes at its best. Remember, though, that black grout can look rather harsh with pure-white tiles. Often, a dark-grey grout is a better option, delivering impact without looking aggressively monochrome.
Read these tips on choosing the perfect splashback
Strike a blue note
Rather than have a solid wall of blue tiles, which can look rather dark, introduce a hint of watery colour with grout. Here, on-trend metro tiles keep this bathroom looking contemporary, while the smart blue grout adds a personal twist.
Rather than have a solid wall of blue tiles, which can look rather dark, introduce a hint of watery colour with grout. Here, on-trend metro tiles keep this bathroom looking contemporary, while the smart blue grout adds a personal twist.
Link it in
If you’ve chosen a bold colour for your bathroom walls, like this strong shade of green, why not continue it into your shower space by using a coloured grout to match? Adding towels and accessories in the same tone will bring your look together.
Discover 10 different ways to use classic metro tiles
If you’ve chosen a bold colour for your bathroom walls, like this strong shade of green, why not continue it into your shower space by using a coloured grout to match? Adding towels and accessories in the same tone will bring your look together.
Discover 10 different ways to use classic metro tiles
See red
Simple square white tiles are a great value buy, but they need not mean your bathroom will look plain. Smarten up the whole scheme by teaming the tiles with some grout in a racy shade of red to create an original and colourful look.
Simple square white tiles are a great value buy, but they need not mean your bathroom will look plain. Smarten up the whole scheme by teaming the tiles with some grout in a racy shade of red to create an original and colourful look.
Add rustic style
A dark-brown grout looks great in combination with slim, textured tiles, creating a relaxed, homely look. It matches the wooden worktops and shelving here, too, for a harmonious and co-ordinated feel.
A dark-brown grout looks great in combination with slim, textured tiles, creating a relaxed, homely look. It matches the wooden worktops and shelving here, too, for a harmonious and co-ordinated feel.
Go grey
Traditional pale-grey grout still has a place in a contemporary home and when teamed with coloured tiles looks anything but bland. Here, the grey grout warms up these blue tiles and prevents them popping out too boldly. Instead, this splashback looks smooth and warm, rather than graphic. The grey grout also ties in with the vanity top and lighter grey wall.
Traditional pale-grey grout still has a place in a contemporary home and when teamed with coloured tiles looks anything but bland. Here, the grey grout warms up these blue tiles and prevents them popping out too boldly. Instead, this splashback looks smooth and warm, rather than graphic. The grey grout also ties in with the vanity top and lighter grey wall.
Use sparingly
Coloured grout can be applied in quite a minimal way to bring accent colour to a space without making a loud statement. Here, red grout has been used on the WC wall, picking up on the red of the light above and waking up the grey and white scheme. Check out the next image to see that red grout up close…
Coloured grout can be applied in quite a minimal way to bring accent colour to a space without making a loud statement. Here, red grout has been used on the WC wall, picking up on the red of the light above and waking up the grey and white scheme. Check out the next image to see that red grout up close…
This reveals how minimally the red grout has been used on the WC. Two simple lines are enough to add detail and interest.
TELL US…
What do you think of coloured grout? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of coloured grout? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Checkout the coloured grout from Mapei,Coloured Grout
Why have I not heard of this coloured grout previously? It even comes in silver and gold. This will get me thinking! Also love the "tie in with timber" example, perfect match. Thanks Houzz
Really nice, a small thing that indicates a thoughtful approach