I found this VERY informative article that converts energy option with pros and cons!

I'll be making the same decision next spring. I don't want the tile grout pattern to compete with the rest of the kitchen so I'm leaning towards white grout. It'll be a job to keep it clean but once I research various techniques and products, it'll just be a matter of making the the to do it. I don't want to kick myself later for using dark grout and creating a chaotic pattern in my lovely kitchen.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/what-grout-color-should-you-choose-for-your-tile-stsetivw-vs~89929909

Best of luck...and good for you in going with classic subway tile!

I would grout in black . Would make it look clean and modern ..besides white grout often gets spotty and dirty looking .

IMO black grout shows every tiny imperfection in tiling I would use a white epoxy grout and make sure it is sealed Too bad you did not come here in the design process there are some issues that might give you some trouble

Pale gray. Please no dirt colored grout. It exaggerates any flaw and, well, it looks like dirt.

The article Christine noted is very helpful and I agree with this statement in it - for your particular kitchen style:

Pick the shade of white that matches best; you don't want any browns with the subway.

I would pick a color of the grout similar to the tiles. You don't want to break up the white...it will make the back splash too dominant in the room. If not white, a very soft grey.

white!

thanks Jan, a counter depth fridge is coming! I'll go take a closer look at some whites and light greys today.

The single BIGGEST mistake folks make is over design. Not every tone or "color" in a room, need be acknowledged in some way. Match a white to the tile and get finished and enjoy. You want the big picture......design is editing,

Gorgeous counters! I would not do a dark grout which would detract from the classic beauty of the counters and create too much of a pattern. I would match the tile. The wood counters bring enough warmth against the white cabinets and backsplash so don't worry about that.

Go white for a smooth, soothing, and appropriate look. I have zero doubt on this one.

This is what we used after doing a sample board. It just gives a little variation without coming off too busy. I would have never picked this color without doing the sample board. I bought several tubs & just scraped some off the lid & returned the ones we didn't go with after with no problem. This one is called Snow White. We've had it for about 2 years & NO STAINS or issues.

I made some sample blocks of a few colors yesterday. The white looks nice but is pretty yellow after 12 hours of drying.

Michael, I agree with the white advice, and I don't think it looks yellow at all. It sounds like you want something different. You want the brown one on the left, don't you. It's OK, go for the one you want.

It's a beautiful space btw. Well done.

I'm leaning towards white now so I'm doing a sample of a different white today and letting the ones ai have dry. I like how white looks simple and blends with the white caninets but I'm worried about keeping it white. on the other hand the other colors look good too...

White still for sure! You can add sealer/stain blocker right to the mixture, I never had an issue with my white grout anywhere.

I've had WHITE grout in a shower for thirty years! It is still white!

any recommendations for sealers/stain blockers? I'm planning on using polyblend non-sanded grout from Home Depot.

I used black satin hardware. I love them & the contrast with my white cabinets is not so drastic as black. Now if I could figure out my backsplash lol

I know you said you were now leaning toward off-white or white grout, but given that you initially wanted some definition, I'd recommend Mapei's Sahara Beige. I recently had Sahara Beige grout used with my off-white subway tiles (Fireclay's Tusk glaze), shown here and in the photo below.

For sealer, my installer uses and recommends Miracle Sealer 511.

White. To me, any other color, from a distance, looks like it hasn't been grouted yet

Asking for opinions on grout colour with white subways is like asking whether you should do painted cabs or stained. It's just a matter of personal preference. Some people think you should have no definition and go with white grout, while others like the look of the tile and prefer a contrasting grout. You have to look at pics of kitchens with white subways and decide what you prefer.

I would not suggest going with a dark grey or black, as it can be intense and show up every flaw in the tiling.

My personal preference is a light to medium warm grey or tan. I like the look of subways before they are grouted where you can see each tile rather than it looking like a pure white sheet. When it is grouted in white, it reminds me of the cheap fake tile panels they used to put up pretending to be tile, but everyone knew they were plastic. Again, this is personal preference and you have to decide. Some on this forum prefer a very monotone look with everything blending together. It can be a nice look, but is not for everyone.

Delorean is not light grey. It is very dark. I'm not sure about the other colours you've mentioned.

Echoing white again. Do you like how it looks with no grout? Because that's how it will look with any dark color :)

If you do go gray, pick a very LIGHT gray! It will show up darker in real life and after it's sealed than on the color sample. I did light gray on white subway tile in my shower, and it makes me notice the crappy tile job 10 times more. I constantly regret not just doing white on white.

Nice looking space BTW!

A sealed white is the definitive answer. You have enough variety in the space so it will not be boring. Sometimes the simple obvious is the hardest answer to come bu

Please do not be afraid of white, just have it sealed! The smooth white backdrop is the role this backsplash should play. There is plenty to focus on in this stage set and colored grout would create a patterned background that would only distract from the whole. You’ve done a good job thus far. Don’t add more “jewelry” to the “outfit”