Sometimes you need something that will tie the whole room together. Matching your grout color to another element in the room is a great way to make the overall design flow well together. In the picture on the left, the grout was chosen to match the paint color above the tiles.
A lighter grout will brighten (or lighten) the general appearance of the tiled area. A darker grout will subdue (or darken) the general appearance of the tiled area. A grout color similar to the color of the tile will make the tiled area appear more seamless, and draw less attention to the joints.
The only thing you can do to immediately even out the color, and/ or change its shade, would be to use a grout colorant. You can change any color to any other color, and in so doing, make the grout easier to keep clean and, at the same time permanently seal it.
Neutral colours like white, beige, and grey are versatile and can complement a variety of tile styles. Warm tones like tan, brown, and red can create a cosy and inviting atmosphere, while cool tones like blue, green, and grey can create a calming and refreshing effect.
So unless you are going for a dramatic look, you only want people to notice your tiles and not your grout. Let your tiles be the star when selecting grout. But if you want each tile to stand out choose a contrasting grout colour.
Get samples or a color chart of new grout and hold it next to your existing grout. If you can salvage a chunk of existing grout from under a baseboard next to a wall, this is the best way to start the matching process.
Another major benefit of tan and beige grout is that it doesn't show imperfections, dirt, or grime the way pure white does. These colors have low grout maintenance. Use them in kitchens and bathrooms.
White and black are two of the most common tile grout colors. Shades of gray, brown, beige and mossy green are also popular choices. There are even more colors available, depending on what you need.
Choosing lighter colors blends your design together. Darker colors create a more dramatic effect. The shade you pick relies on what you are trying to accomplish in your design. If you want to highlight the pattern your tile creates, a contrasting color is best.
The grout color that's easiest to keep clean is likely to be a neutral shade such as a gray, or a tone of beige. These are super-practical choices for both kitchen and bathroom tile, and will demand less maintenance to stay looking good as new.
Replacing grout is certainly one way to fix the problem. Instead, use UltraCare Grout Refresh, a water-based color seal, available in 40 standard grout colors. It's made for refreshing the look of old, discolored grout, or completely changing the color of the existing grout.
The main cause for this variation in color is uneven drying of the Portland cement in the grout. There are jobsite conditions and factors which create the conditions for uneven drying and improper cement hydration.
Dirt, mold, and mildew build up over time, and the grout darkens. If the existing tile grout has become dirty or discolored—or if you just want a new look—it is possible to change the color of the grout. Coloring grout freshens up the entire tile layout, all without having to replace the tile.
Tile with dark grout is becoming increasingly popular in many design styles, from modern farmhouse bathroom walls to minimalistic kitchen backsplashes.
For balancing aesthetics and upkeep, you can't go wrong with a neutral grey or beige grout. These lightly pigmented grouts will enhance the pattern of both light and dark colored tiles, have less risk of staining your tile compared to a dark grout and will conceal dirt and stains better than a white grout.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer to whether tiles should be lighter or darker than walls. It all comes down to your personal preference, the space you're designing, and the atmosphere you want to create.
For instance, dark grout will give a defined edge to light tiles and lighter grout will highlight dark tiles more (black and white is a classic version of this and works especially well to give a bold, geometric look to subway tiles).
For a clean and seamless look, white grout is the most popular choice. It creates a monochromatic finish, making your space feel bright and airy. This combination is perfect for minimalist designs, modern kitchens, and bathrooms where you want the tiles to blend effortlessly into the background.
White grout is more difficult to keep clean than darker colors, like gray or black, because even small stains show more prominently.
Jim Whitfield, manager of Technical Services at Mapei told industry professionals, “Because epoxy grout is so tough, it wears extremely well. It doesn't wear down over time and become a tile gutter—like cement grout can—where all the dirt and liquid and junk collects.”
Keep it Monochromatic
If you don't want your grout lines to disappear completely, choose a color that is only one or two shades lighter or darker than the background of your tile.
Neutral grout colours are lower maintenance
Dark and light grout tend to show more dirt and stains over time, while a neutral grout such as beige or grey won't show dirt as readily.
If you're using two different tile colours in a room, consider choosing the same colours for your grout – but in reverse. In short, if you're using pastel green and white tiles, add white grout lines to your green tiles, and vice versa.
What is important to know is that white grout will show dirt more, therefore you'll have to spend more time cleaning it. If you're set on white grout, you might consider using Epoxy Grout, which is stain-resistant.
If you don't want to go through all this to keep your grout clean, you can install epoxy grout. Unlike sand grout, epoxy grout is not porous, and dirt cannot be ground into it.