Yesterday, the tile setter was supposed to come and install tile that my client picked out herself for her backsplash. They are blue glass tiles, 4×4s, very simple. Hi again, Susan Serra, CKD, here, talking kitchens!

I met the tile man at the job, we laid out the tile, by the way, starting with the centerline of the cooktop and working our way out in each direction, the best point to start at, as that is an important section and must have symmetry at each end. You don’t always start at that particular point, it depends on the layout of the backsplash, if there are borders and murals involved, etc. Then, it becomes more complex. But, I digress!

I almost stopped to get grout before, then decided instead to go right to the job. The reason I didn’t get the grout first is because there are two types, sanded and non sanded grout. Guaranteed, had I bought one, we would need the other! The tile installer told me to get sanded grout, so off I went.

Once at the tile store, I selected grout. The cabinets are white, so I selected white grout. The tile store lady went to get the grout. But, wait! As she was gone, I said, no, just because the cabinets are white, doesn’t mean anything. Think of the tile color and go from there. Instead, I chose a very soft gray, called silverado. I almost broke into song, but remembered the song is named Desperado, not Silverado! I digress again.

White grout would have made the blue tiles pop way too much, like a checkerboard. While nothing else is a soft gray, it doesn’t matter! The soft gray would work to soften the grout lines. I could even have chosen a blue AND a gray grout (so the blue would not be too blue, especially if it was a different blue, which it would be) and worked to blend the two grouts together.
I’ve done that before and have driven the tile man absolutely crazy. It can be done, but you didn’t hear it here! OR, in some cases, a darker grout is appropriate and quite striking.

Point is, do NOT automatically work off of what other "colors" you have in the kitchen. Think about if you want the tile to stand out from the grout or blend in with the grout. It is one more detail that must be considered carefully. The next detail is how to clean your grout, but I will seal it first. See those tips in the link, but as always, speak with your tile and grout supplier first for more specific information relating to your particular tile and grout and get their blessing. Take a look at this grout information as well from Charles and Hudson and don’t stop there, do a search under tile and you will see more good information!