Ready to add tile to a room in your home? The first place most people start is with the tile itself. What color do you prefer, light or dark? How big of tile do you prefer?

Its easy to focus in on the tile, but there is one more thing you should start planning for before you visit your tile flooring center to make your final selection: the grout.

Grout color has a huge impact on the aesthetic value of the design. It can turn your tile selection from “ho-hum” to “wow” just with a simple change in color. Yet choosing grout color can be a bit confusing. How do you know which direction to go?

First, start with your tile selection. Do you prefer solid color or printed patterns? Will you be using porcelain or ceramic tiles, or are they natural stone? Will you be using large squares in uniform pattern, or different sized tiles in a mosaic pattern? All will help you determine how the grout will play in to the overall effect you are trying to create.

Then decide if you want the grout to blend in, putting more emphasis on the tile, or have it stand out, adding to the overall color scheme of your room. Each option offers different advantages. Its not always about the tile; consider all the color and fixtures you will use in the room to help you determine how subtle or dramatic you want your floors to be.

If you want the grout to blend in, choose a grout color that closely matches the edges of the tile. When grout and tile colors are similar, the installation has a more uniform look. The grout joints are less visible from a distance, making the overall flooring blend into one unvarying pattern. Keep in mind that a blended look will require more maintenance, especially if you select lighter colors, to ensure the colors continue to match and blend over time.

If you want the grout to stand out from the tile so the tile pattern is more visible, choose colors that contrast with your tile. Color differences between the tile and the grout can create striking patterns. Both the grout joints and the tile edges will be more visible, and the tile layout pattern more apparent. The greater the difference, the more noticeable the pattern will be.

When choosing contrasting colors, be sure to pick colors that complement each other to avoid an off balanced look. Also consider caulk colors to ensure they match your overall design as well.

When in doubt, spend some time with one of our tiling consultants to help you choose the right look for you. And as with any flooring choice, you may wish to bring small samples home to get a better idea of the finished look in your room, in different lighting situations.

For all of your Denver Hardwood Flooring needs visit our site today.