Should Floor And Wall Grout Match?

Tile walls and tile floors make for a popular way to add a timeless and attractive look to almost any bathroom. Choosing a design for this look includes selecting the tiles and the material that goes between the tiles, the grout. So you are wondering, should the wall grout and the floor grout match? In this post, we have done our research and answer that question thoroughly.

Floor grout and wall grout do not need to be the exact same color. However, the two grouts should at least coordinate well. In fact, slightly mismatched wall grout and floor grout can add interest to a room. However, be sure that the colors of the two grouts do not clash.

Keep reading the rest of this post for a tutorial on how to best coordinate floor and wall grout. We will cover which to make lighter/darker and include some style recommendations. Following this are the answers to several questions related to this post topic.

A man adding grout to kitchen tiles, Should Floor And Wall Grout Match?

How to Coordinate Wall Grout and Floor Grout

Choosing the proper grout for your home is no simple matter. Often, homeowners agonize over tile selection but ignore the equally important selection of their grout. Grout color wields a considerable influence over the finished look of a room. So take your time choosing your grout.

The first step is to match your grout to your tile. Individually match your wall tile to grout and your floor tile to grout. Now imagine how the two grout/tile combinations will look together in the finished room. Adjust until you find a combination that jives both together and with your overall decoration scheme. The next several subsections highlight some tips to make this process easier.

Make Sure the Two Grouts are Relatively Similar

Generally speaking, a stark shift in grout color from the walls to the floor will clash. The eye will be drawn to where the two grouts meet. This highlights the corners and edges of the room rather than the whole designed space. Instead, choose grouts that are at least close in color. This means it might be acceptable to shift from off-white to light grey but not from white to black grout.

Contrasting Grout or Matching Grout to Tile?

One of the biggest grout color choices is whether the grout will blend with the tile or pop from the tile. Grout that contrasts produces a bold look but does take attention away from the tile. Grout that corresponds with the tile, or has a similar color, allows for more attention to tile or stone patterns.

For small rooms, blending the grout will produce a larger appearing room. On the other hand, grout that contrasts with the tile can bring the walls closer. Sometimes, if your tile or stone has veins of color, you can match the grout to give the appearance of seamless transitions from piece to piece.

Browse Design Websites and Catalogs

It is always good to browse design websites and catalogs when designing any portion of your home. This is often a cheap way to get ideas from experienced experts. These groupings of designs allow you to see what has been tried before and whether it aligns with your tastes. Take these sources as rough drafts, and then tinker to find grout colors that you really love.

Ask a Design Professional

Hiring a professional is likely the most effective way to ensure well-coordinated wall and floor grout. Those with industry experience have likely already answered whatever question you might in a similar situation. Further, they have seen if risky decisions end up succeeding and are trained to tailor their advice to your specific tastes.

Is floor grout the same as wall grout?

Yes, the two grout types are the same. There is no reason not to use wall grout on the floor and vice versa. However, there is a difference between sanded grout and unsanded grout. Sanded grout is for gaps larger than 1/8th of an inch, while unsanded grout is for gaps smaller than 1/8th of an inch.

How to match grout color?

Matching grout color is of critical importance both when performing remodels and for doing repairs. For remodels, maybe you want to match your new bathroom addition to the grout in your old bathroom, or perhaps you have added a section of tile and want to match the old grout. For repairs, you are likely noticing some grout that has begun to crack or fall out and want to regrout the area.

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The first step in matching grout is to wash the old grout area thoroughly. This is, so you match the grout color, not the color of the dirt on the grout. Next, you will want to start shopping around. Try to find a grout that is close to the color you are looking for as possible. The dry powdered grout is the same color as the final applied and dried grout. But keep in mind that wet grout will look a bit darker.

For advice on how to best clean your grout without laborious scrubbing, read this great article, "4 Easy Ways To Clean Grout Without Scrubbing". For specific advice on how to clean mold from shower grout, read this article, "How To Clean Mold From Shower Grout (Incld. Naturally)?".

If you cannot find a perfect color match, do not worry. It is possible and easy to mix two or more grout colors to produce a final match. Take your time with this and try a few different ratios before settling on a final blending of colors. Be sure that the grout types you are mixing are the same (so sanded with sanded and vice versa). Most tile stores and retailers will be happy to help you with this process.

Does grout dry lighter or darker than samples?

Grout dries the same color as the sample. Grout has surprising consistency of color, from when it is a dry powder to when it is applied and redried in your tile or stone gaps. If you notice that your wet grout does not match, do not worry, it will dry true to the sample color. 

Can you color over grout?

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Yes, you can. There is a selection of grout dyes available online and at tile stores. These dyes are generally much more effective at changing a grout's color from lighter to darker. It is possible to move from darker to lighter, but expect more coats and a less convincing final dye. 

Do grout pens work?

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Grout pens are advertised to refresh grout to look new once again. And yes, they do work to a certain extent. However, they are no replacement for high-end steam cleaning or even taking the time and money to regrout. Grout pens add a thin veneer of finish that is tinted to match your existing grout. Add at least two coats, and you will find that your grout looks much better than before the work with the grout pens.

What color grout is easiest to keep clean?

The darker the grout, the easier it is to keep clean. Or should we say it is easier to keep dark grout appearing clean? Since most dirt or grimes are also dark, they will blend into the dark grout. Also, light grout will stain over time and lose its initial brightness. If you are worried about grout appearing dirty, dark is undoubtedly the way to go.

In Closing

We now know that wall and floor grout do not need to match exactly but should coordinate in this post. There are lots of ways to maximize your coordination, but it is always important to keep your grout clean and well-maintained for the best effect. 

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