Grout is a small percentage of a tiled surface and a large percentage of how it looks. The same tile with two different grouts can read as two different bathrooms.
Matching grout quietens the pattern
Choosing a grout close to the tile colour makes the surface read as one plane. It suits large-format tile, busy stone patterns, and any room where you want the eye to move across the surface rather than count the tiles.
Contrasting grout draws the grid
A deliberate contrast turns the tile layout into a graphic feature. It works well with simple shapes such as subway or hexagon, where the pattern is worth showing. It also asks more of the installation, because every line is now visible.
Think about maintenance honestly
Very light grout on a shower floor will show wear sooner than a mid-tone. That does not rule it out, but it is worth choosing with open eyes.
The grout itself matters more than the colour
The days of porous, cement-based grout are behind us. We use a high-quality latex-based grout that is permanently sealed and contains a bio-block to help resist mold and mildew. Do not be fooled by standard grout sold with a latex additive stirred in; it is not the same product, and the difference shows up years later.
