White subway tile. It’s a classic choice that’s popular once again due to its versatility and simple, clean shape and appearance. The only drawback is that plain white subway tile can be a bit, well, plain and unexciting. If you’ve fallen in love with white subway tile but want a bit more oomph in your kitchen or bathroom, try perking it up with colored grout.

Contrasting grout defines subway tiles and makes it more visually interesting. It’s perfect for adding some flair or tying together your dream color scheme. Changing your grout color is an easy and inexpensive way to update existing tile, too; with a tinted grout sealer such as Grout Shield you don’t even have to regrout to change the color, and they can even custom-match any paint color!

Try black grout for a classic yet dramatically striking combo:

Or add an unexpected pop of color for a fun effect or to match paint or fixtures:

You can also go for a negative reversal with black tile and white grout – modern, classy, and eye-catching:

What’s your favorite tile/grout pairing? Tell us about it!