Bathroom

Dark Grout Drama: Expert Tips for Your Chic Bathroom Makeover

Published: February 2, 2024

Updated: January 2, 2024

You finally have the white subway tile shower and bathtub of your dreams, only to discover water spots and soap scum on full display on your black grout. This is a situation in which many homeowners have found themselves, completely unaware of the difficulties that could befall them with this gorgeous aesthetic.

Luckily, our favorite designers and homeowners have shared how to alleviate this feeling of regret and make this trend work for you and your lifestyle! “Dark grout paired with white tiles creates a bold and dramatic aesthetic,” says interior designer Ellen Matthews. “It adds a striking contrast that draws the eye and emphasizes the graphic lines of the tile pattern,” Matthews notes.

We are going to explore various ideas and recommendations about when and where to implement dark grout and how to keep it clean. We, at Soul and Lane, have even included a few essential tips that will assist you in selecting a darker grout tone like gray or greige that can offer the same dimensional effect without the bold dedication that comes with choosing black.

01 of Go With Greige

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Dark grout can be visually striking but it can also have unintended consequences. “I typically discourage clients from opting for light tile with dark grout because the resulting contrast can be overly distinct and attention-grabbing,” shares interior designer Neha Kaimal. In some cases, this combination often proves challenging to harmonize with other finishes in the space, and it can give the impression of being dirty or poorly executed. “Choosing a more harmonious color scheme for both tile and grout generally yields a more cohesive and aesthetically pleasing result,” Kaimal advises.

The best part of greige is that it still creates a small amount of contrast without being too overwhelming or bold. The result is a very soft level of dimension that looks quite cohesive with the white tile.

02 of Gray Is Stain-proof

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Subway tile is simple but detailed. The brick-like layout of the white tiles capitalizes on the beauty of well-laid grout. When deciding between gray, black, and white, renovator Allison explains “Gray doesn’t show stains and isn’t too stark on the eyes.” White gets dirty very quickly, but black is very bold, so a color similar to this is a great middle option.

03 of Black Grout Bleeds

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One of the details involved with picking a tile style is longevity and durability. Homeowner Lisa graciously shared her experience regarding this popular trend. “I had dark grout in another house with the white subway [tile] and it bled every time I cleaned it.” Whether this flaw is based on material quality or contractor flaws, make sure you are confident in the work that is being completed.

04 of I Hate It

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Our reader Chantelle shared a similar sentiment as Lisa regarding the washability of darker grout. She boldly claims that she hates it and doesn’t know the best way to keep it clean. Especially in a home without a water softener or a well where water tends to be a bit harder, black grout shows water spots very easily. As water is required with most cleaning processes, it is obvious how this could create a difficult situation for any homeowner.

05 of Noticeable Soap Scum

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Continuing the conversation of cleanability, Monika shares “It’s virtually impossible to remove soap scum and it’s very noticeable.” Combined with hard water, this kind of staining is inevitable in any shower. If white spots aren’t bothersome, these minor details should not inhibit your design choice. On the other hand, if you’re especially particular, white or gray grout may be a better choice.

06 of Provides Great Definition

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Homeowner Trishia shares the specifics of her bathroom renovation, which boasts trendy choices similar to those shown in this picture. She explained, “We have a medium gray grout with larger white subway tile and I love it. It provides depth and definition not as harsh and busy as with darker or black grout.” We love your thinking Trishia, and think your design choices bode well for a practical and gorgeous bath!

07 of Better for Long Term Maintenance

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In the home renovation process, you want to make sure you’re choosing colors and materials with longevity, both related to trend and durability. With a textured brown tile, “Darker grout is better for long-term maintenance. Lighter fades and gets stained over time,” according to one of our design enthusiasts, Morgan. Any mold or discoloration will be much harder to spot within deeper tones.

08 of It’s Perfect!

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Contrary to statements previously made by our readers, Mckenzie generously included her experience with black grout which has been quite positive. In a rural town where well water is common, she proudly “hasn’t had any issues cleaning it, even around the drain.” In fact, the well water has discouraged her from going with any lighter color at all due to various concerns with potential discoloration. Wise words from a wise woman!

09 of Don’t Understand the Trend

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Washability aside, bathroom designs are typically selected based on aesthetics. Even though black grout has been quite popular in recent years, one of our readers, Robbie, explains, “It just looks dirty to me.” For decades, bathroom and kitchen tile has had very light-colored grout, so it makes total sense that such a stark contrast such as dark gray or black would signify filthy grout lines in the eyes of traditionalists.

10 of Do the Black!

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Homeowner Emily’s experience with gray grout varies a tad from the photo shown here because of her use of all-black tiles instead of white. Ironically, she wishes she had selected black grout for her shower floor. After choosing a lighter gray, Emily complains, “I can’t get the yellow stain off,” and boldly proclaims, “Do the black grout.”

11 of Go For It!

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Grout is a necessary piece of any tile-laying process, and the color selection should be treated accordingly. Our founder of Soul and Lane, Zakhar Invanisov, gives his informed opinion on the matter and explains, “While dark grout is quite trendy now, it’s important to balance current trends with your personal style. If you find you’re drawn to the bold contrast that dark grout offers, then it’s definitely worth going for it! After all, your home should be a reflection of what you love.”