Oh Help Me, Internet

We're having tile laid lain put down in our bathrooms, because they were, formerly, carpeted.  Let me tell you that no one in their right mind would ever put down carpet in a bathroom.  But, our house was built in 1983, so I am giving them the benefit of the doubt and assuming they were all distracted by the Cold War or something. 

Anyhoo, we're using the same tile in the master bath that we plan to lay lie put down in the kitchen, which is a much more expansive area.  The master bath is basically our "trial run" to make sure we like the tile and the grout.

I love the tile, no question.  I also love the black grout, and I think it will be great in our kitchen--especially because it will be laid lain put down in a diagonal pattern, and the dark grout will accentuate this.  Plus, we have lots of black accents in the kitchen, so it should all pull together nicely.

Really, I'm getting to the point.

The problem is that my tile liar layer putter-downer doesn't like the dark grout.  And this has me second-guessing myself, because I thought it looked really looked good.  And so this is one of those moments when I take full advantage of having a blog, and I ask you this most critical question, Internet--

Do you like the dark grout?

(And by the way, ignore the schmutzy baseboards.  That's leftover grout that hasn't been cleaned yet.)

Let me have your honest opinion.  I can take it.

Comments

[Lynne]

I think in a small area like your bathroom, a lighter grout might look better. It would make the tile seem more continuous and make the room look bigger. In the kitchen, with the tile on a diagonal, the dark tile would accentuate the diagonal pattern and would look good, especially with a lot of black accents.

[Sarah @ Ordinary Days]

Sorry but it looks kinda dirty. I am no expert in this area but is there a dark brown version? I think it'd go better with the color of the tiles.

[suzanne]

I'd say no to the dark grout. I agree that a lighter grout in a small space would look better. Good luck with the renovations!

[Cheri]

I'm sorry- but I agree with everyone so far. I think a lighter grout would be better. I think the darker grout looks dated. Good luck!

[Randi]

It's great. Seriously. It won't show any spills that soak into the grout (regardless of the so-called "sealing"), and just as you say, it will accentuate the black in the kitchen. It's different and that's fun!

[Melissa]

i have to say that i disagree with everyone and say go with the darker grout. especially in the kitchen where lighter grout tends to become darker with dirt...

[Kathy]

Chiming in for the lighter. The dark give the appearance that it's unfinished.

[Diane]

I do like darker grout too, but I've noticed that if the "putter downer" isn't so perfect with the straightnest and all, you will notice the more "crookedness" of it. Does that make sense? Like the dark stands out and the light doesn't. Hope that didn't sound ridiculous!

[A blogger friend]

Love the tile and grout. We are looking to put a similar color in our kitchen! I'm interested in the responses you'll get!

[katy]

I usually like lighter grout too but I put off white grout in my kitchen and even though I sealed it well, it is now 8 different colors. Most of the colors are coffee tinted or something close.

[Diane]

I love the look of the dark grout (it does accent) and while light grout will get dirty, the dark will always look like its supposed to be that way. BTW, I think its tile "setter".

[chocolatechic]

I love the dark grout! It looks like brownies....or chocolate wafers or something like that.

It also won't have to be scrubbed on your hands and knees.....you know white/light grout collects all manner of awfulness in the first 5 minutes of it being cleaned.

[Debby]

I like the darker grout. Anything that hides dirt is ok by me! However, the quality of your tile guy's workmanship leaves alot to be desired. BTW, that's the EXACT tile I have in my bathroom! With grey grout. My tile guy (hubby's cousin) wouldn't do the dark. POut!

[Eliza]

Well, I think that with the color of your tiles, the black is actually okay. I personally would go with white, but that's just my style.

Then again, black (the grout) and brown (the tiles) do look nice together, so perhaps you should go with it...

I know, I'm a whole load of help. :-)

[Trina]

Darker grout is IN my friend! I love it! Why get lighter grout when it's just gonna get dirty (in spots, no less) and look brown/black anyway!?
I might have gone with a slightly darker tile though. Just for myself.
I say, pick what you like. You are the one that has to live with it.
Good job Shannon :)

[Llama Momma]

I've got that exact tile / grout in my entry way. LOVE IT. You'll never be scrubbing grout with a toothbrush...of course, that doesn't mean it will be CLEAN. ;-)

[Karen]

I think I'd like the dark grout with a darker, warmer toned tile. It's hard to get a real idea of the tone of the tile in your photo since it's just that - a photo. Maybe it is darker in person. Dark grout on a floor would be nice to hide stains, though. I'm just not sure what I think of it paired with a light colored tile.

Let's see, how many more ways can I phrase that while trying to sound nice.

[Summer]

I think it accents the dark cupboards beautifully! I love it!

[Smockity Frocks]

Our tile guy talked us out of a darker grout, and I have always regretted it! I wonder if there is some reason they just don't like working with dark grout. Go with what you like!

[Everyday Mommy]

Love it, love it, love it. 'Nuff said.

[Anna]

I have to say I'm not keen on the dark grout - maybe (just maybe) in the kitchen but not in the bathroom, it will show every speck of spilt baby powder, powder cleaner, dropped eye shadow, limescale and dust. Trust me, I'm dealing with it now - and I'm replacing it as soon as I can.

Also, I think as a general rule, dark grout with dark tiles, light grout with light tiles, smooth lines enhance small spaces, and anything that interrupts the flow of the colour makes the space look smaller.

Sorry - but you did ask for feedback

[Sherry]

I like the idea of a dark grout. But maybe not black... like someone else said, do they have a dark brown or something?

[Lisa @ The Preacher's Wife]

From a girl who has had light grout, it ends up black anyway, except in splotches which looks much dirtier than evenly dark. (Does that even make sense?)
And there is no sealer I've ever found that actually works to prevent staining.

I do agree with whomever mentioned your tile putter-downer should be very talented with his chalk line, but your bath looks great.

Is this really making your decision any easier?? LOL

[aggiema]

I say do what you want because you are the one who will live with it. The grout in your kitchen and bathrooms will eventually be dark anyhow. I have very light grout and it stains horribly, even if it is sealed. I say save yourself some scrubbing, get the dark grout and tell the tile guy to keep his opinions to himself (tell him nicely of course!) After all, you are paying the bills!

[MamaLee]

I love the dark grout. What a change from the white that people usually have. And it's true, it dinges up pretty fast anyway.

Love it. Looks great.