The Sparkling Grout Choice That'll Get You Sent To Design Jail By A Pro

Fads come and go, so while it can be a lot of fun to partake, one place you don't want to indulge in a flash-in-the-pan trend is in the fixed elements of your home design. What that means is that while paint colors, for example, are easily and inexpensively changeable, vessel sinks and bright confetti-patterned terrazzo tiles are not. Such is the problem with glitter grout. Exactly like it sounds, glitter grout is an adhesive between tiles that is filled with glitter. The mere idea of it is liable to cause strong reactions in people, but for interior designers who want your home's fundamental design elements to seem current for ten years or more, glittery grout is a big no-no.

No matter if your aesthetic is contemporary, neoclassical, or anything in between, interior design is built around several core concepts, including balance, proportion, harmony, and focus. These principles provide a foundation for rooms that will stand the test of time, surpassing fads and viral trends with their timelessness. Professional designers avoid trends that customers will inevitably tire of quickly, and colorful, sparkly grout between tiles definitely falls in that category.

Glitter grout, like most glitter projects, should be used sparingly and with care. Whimsical or gaudy, depending on your perspective, former users of the sparkly glop decry the mess it makes, while the more diplomatic suggest creating a small sample square before committing to a larger project. Even with small, contained projects, however, glitter simply gets everywhere. Sure, there are hacks to help you clean up spilled glitter, but glitter has a way of hanging around forever.

Another potential hazard of glitter grout is that it could scratch delicate tile surfaces. When undertaking a DIY tile project at home, it's important to choose unsanded grout if working with smooth tile because sanded grout can scratch it. Why, then, would you undermine that care you took to protect your tile by exposing it to a scratchy application after all?

Glitter grout also has the tendency, like most colored grouts, to appear dirty. Light tile paired with a darker grout can look beautiful, but if it's not done well, the grout could appear mildewy. And in some lighting, glitter could look like an odd speck of dirt. If you're someone who likes things to be spotless, this kind of thing could bother you a lot. But if you're heart is set on a design trend, find a way to incorporate it in small measures — in a small bath or at a dressing table — to make it personal to you without letting it overtake your home.