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Are you considering using black grout in your home? While white grout is the classic choice, pairing white tile with black grout breaks away from tradition, offering a bold, timeless aesthetic that also has the appeal of being lower maintenance. Black grout can bring depth and a distinctive style to any space.

Using black grout with white tiles creates a striking contrast, making the tiles pop and giving your space a sleek, modern vibe. However, before committing to this bold look, you may want to look at some of the pros and cons of black grout, whether you’re using it with white or other tile colors in your home.

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel or a kitchen backsplash, I am sharing all the pros and cons of choosing black grout and how to properly care for it.

White Tile with Black Grout

Black grout is becoming commonplace in many kitchen remodels and bathroom renovations. Black grout works well with just about any tile pattern, including classic white subway tiles, white mosaic tiles, and herringbone tiles.

It can also be used on the bathroom shower tile, kitchen tiled backsplash, and bathroom floor.

bathroom with new tile floor with black grout

White tile with black grout is popular among homeowners and interior designers because of its bold appearance. In fact, black grout with white tile is one of the most popular tile and grout combinations today because of its traditional and modern look.

Black grout works best with lighter-colored tiles because of the beautiful contrast and dramatic aesthetic it creates when paired with light colors, but it can also be paired with darker-colored tiles.

When choosing a white tile with black grout, it is common for the tile, whether porcelain or ceramic, to become the room’s focal point. This is primarily because the tile and grout color will stand out with its deep color against a basic plain white tile or not-so-basic tile pattern, allowing your tile to truly pop.

Pros of Using Black Grout

1. Visually Stunning

There’s a reason why black grout is trendy. And that’s because it’s dramatic, absolutely stunning, and appealing to the eye.

It is known for showing off a bold design while emphasizing the tile’s shape. Using black grout in your space will make an instant statement and deliver the ultimate design punch.

This dark grout contrasts nicely with lighter-colored tiles such as subway tiles and mosaic tiles. White subway tile with black grout is my favorite, as it is simplistic yet sophisticated and will continue to look great over time.

2. Ability to Conceal Dirt

It’s almost impossible to see dirt on black grout (but that doesn’t mean it’s not dirty). The fact that you can’t really see the dirt through black grout makes it most appealing. Black grout has a way of masking any evidence of dirt.

3. It’s Modern and Timeless

While trendy, black grout presents a timeless look. It is one of those farmhouse-style trends that won’t go away anytime soon.

It won’t go out of style and will make any kitchen or bathroom look modern with a classic look.

Cons of Choosing Black Grout

1. It is prone to fading.

Unlike white grout, gray, and light grout colors, black grout is more prone to fading and bleeding of its color.

Because of fading and bleeding, the black grout may lose its beautiful color and luster over time. This is primarily due to water hitting against the shower walls.

In addition to the shower area, fading may happen in areas with high foot traffic. Even with fading, there are many ways to maintain the black grout color —assuming you are up to the challenge.

2. It doesn’t show dirt.

While one of the pros of black grout is that it hides dirt, there’s a misconception that it doesn’t get dirty.

Unfortunately, black grout can easily and equally have dirt, gunk buildup, and mold if not handled properly with regular cleaning. While it can be challenging to keep clean, it needs to be cleaned frequently to be preserved.

How to Make Your Own Homemade Grout Cleaner

3. Black grout is messy to install.

It’s always best to use tile professionals when installing this grout for a cleaner look. Black grout is messy to install and even more difficult to clean up.

It’s important to note that if you choose to DIY and complete the job yourself, you have to be very careful and meticulous when installing black grout. Mistakes are often hard to correct, so take your time with the prep work.

Try to get the grout pre-mixed to get the right water and grout mix ratio before installation. This will help with some of the messiness involved with installation while pairing best with the tile.

Black grout will show all its imperfections, and any mistakes you might make during installation will show up – especially if you don’t get your lines straight.

4. Black grout lines may appear busy.

Depending on the size of the grout line, it can appear busy after installation. This busyness can be distracting, drawing the eye around the room.

It is best to keep the black grout lines thin instead of thick for a more refined look. Thinner grout lines are more sophisticated and appear cleaner in design.

Tips for Maintaining Black Grout

Seal it

Since black grout is porous, it needs to be sealed regularly. Grout tends to soak up dirt and moisture easily.

Sealing the grout will prevent it from fading and from growing mold, allowing it to continue looking good year after year.

How to Seal Grout on Tile Floors

Clean black grout regularly.

While you may feel inclined to leave it alone because you don’t visually see the dirt, it is important to clean black grout regularly to help preserve it.

Avoid harsh cleaners like pinesol and bleach, and opt for gentle cleaning products with a neutral pH balance.

Harsh cleaning products may break down your sealant, causing discoloration and fading. The best solution to prevent this is by using a neutral cleaner.

Have a black grout pen handy.

Make sure you have a black grout pen available at all times. Grout pens are usually waterproof and don’t create any mess. They can be used to color over your existing grout.

Grout pens are easy to grab and go with, and you can quickly touch up the grout if you notice visible fading. This is a great way to keep the black grout black.

What is grout?

Grout is a material used to fill the gaps and crevices between tiles or stones on a surface. It helps to hold the tiles or stones in place and prevents water from seeping through the surface.

Grout is a requirement when filling spaces between tiles. Grout creates a seamless tile appearance while helping to protect the tile from cracking and moisture from seeping through.

Black grout is popular for creating a modern and sleek look in bathrooms and kitchens.

Is black grout a good idea?

One of the biggest pros of using black grout with white tile is that it creates a vivid contrast. The stark colors draw attention to the textural elements, emphasizing the beautiful details of your tile work. Also, having a dark color behind lighter colors will make them look brighter and more luminescent.

While black grout may have imperfections, it may be the perfect solution for your family and household. Let’s face it: no grout is perfect, but black grout is extremely effective at hiding dirt and gunk buildup.

And if you have a busy household and might not be able to maintain regular cleaning, black grout is still a great choice.

If you want the best grout pair, white tile black grout is a timeless yet attractive way to upgrade your space.

While using black grout with white tile may not be the safest option, it is the boldest and the most fun. It will guarantee to wow your guests, friends, and family.

Does black grout fade over time?

Yes, black grout is prone to fading over time. This is especially true in bathrooms with regularly damp or humid air and high foot traffic, like kitchen floors.

The most significant cause of fading is exposure to water and moisture over long periods, which can cause the dye to leach out of the grout.

Regular cleaning and sealing may help prolong the life of your black grout.

Is black grout still in style?

Absolutely. Black grout is here to stay. Simply put, it is classic and timeless.

Where to find black grout?

Black grout is very easy to find. It can be found at any hardware store (Harbor Freight Tools or Ace Hardware), home improvement store (Home Depot and Lowes), local paint store (Sherwin Williams), or even online at Amazon.

Are there alternatives to black grout?

It’s ok if black grout does not align with your design preferences. There are plenty of alternatives to black grout. Here are some alternative color options to consider:

Grey grout—Grey grout can create a clean look. It offers the homeowner versatility and an understated alternative. Plenty of grey grout shades can complement a wide range of tile colors and designs, allowing the focus to remain on the tiles rather than the grout. Here’s a guide on gray grout.
Beige grout – beige offers a more soft and muted tone for tiles.

Pros and Cons of Using Black Grout with White Tiles

White Tile with Black Grout