When it comes to installing subway tile in your kitchen, there are various options for grout. While many opt for simple white, thinking outside the box and choosing gray could be a great alternative. Experts discuss the merits of gray grout and why it’s a strong choice for subway tile. They also mention key considerations when working with gray grout.
Meet the Expert:
Alana Marie is the founder of Alana Marie Interiors.
Melissa Sakell is a kitchen and bath designer with Anthony Wilder Design/Build.
Becky Shea is the founder and creative director of Becky Shea Design.
Why You Should Choose Gray Grout for Subway Tile:
Easy to Maintain:
Experts appreciate pairing subway tile with gray grout as the color is more practical than lighter hues in withstanding wear and tear. Alana Marie, founder of Alana Marie Interiors, says light grout in a kitchen, especially in high-traffic areas like a backsplash, can be challenging to keep clean and shows stains faster and is harder to clean. On the other hand, gray stands up to daily use more successfully as it hides dirt better, requires less maintenance, and helps maintain a fresh, polished look for longer.
Gray is also a nice choice for warming up your space and will result in a more dimensional look in the kitchen, adds Melissa Sakell, a kitchen and bath designer with Anthony Wilder Design/Build.
It Won’t Go Out of Style:
When selecting a tile and grout combination, you want a look that will remain in vogue for years to come as kitchen renovations are time-consuming and costly. Sakell says gray is an excellent color for grout as it’s an extremely timeless hue that will complement any interior color scheme. Best of all, gray pairs nicely with a wide range of kitchen design styles and comes in several different shades, making it easy to select one that suits your space. Try different shades with your subway tile before settling on one.
Gray is a true chameleon; it can be warm or cool, barely there or almost black so you can really capture any look with it depending on the final shade you select, says Sakell.
Keep in mind that while many people think of subway tile as traditional white, it comes in many different colors to suit various spaces. Becky Shea, founder and creative director of Becky Shea Design, used a stunning blue subway tile for a bathroom and incorporated gray grout. The soft gray tones in the grout really brought out the blues and grays throughout the room, creating a cohesive and balanced look without overpowering the space. It’s those little choices that can make a big difference in pulling everything together.
Design by Becky Shea / Photo by Jake Shea
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Disadvantages of Gray Grout on Subway Tile:
Grays can be difficult to read.
Gray tones, as noted by Sakell, have a unique characteristic: they pull from other colors in the vicinity, making them challenging to transfer seamlessly from one space to another.
Sakell emphasizes the importance of considering the grout in conjunction with the other materials being installed. This holistic approach ensures a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing result.
Professional installation is not just recommended but essential when it comes to adding gray grout to your kitchen. It should not be treated as a simple DIY project.
Engaging a professional at this stage is crucial to ensure that the installation meets your expectations and preferences.
If you opt for a darker shade, Sakell stresses the need for the installer to be highly proficient, as any mistakes will be more noticeable due to the high contrast with the surrounding colors.
