This Tiny Tweak Will Make Your Kitchen Backsplash Look Extra Luxe

Want to take your kitchen design scheme to the next level? It might be as simple as swapping in a single standout material: Glitter grout. Yes, glitter grout, which looks pretty much just like it sounds it would—think run-of-the mill grout mixed with super fine pieces of glass dust or solvent-resistant glitter that make it sparkle. “It’s certainly a conversation starter,” says homeowner and architect Jennifer Vrazel of Studio Steinbomber, who recently renovated her kitchen using this edgy, up-and-coming finish, which you can see up close below. “When people see the backsplash, it’s the first thing they notice. After all, who doesn’t like shiny, sparkly things?”

For Vrazel, the road to glitter grout was some 15 years in the making. She initially revamped her cookspace back in 2005 by making a few cosmetic changes, including painting the dark wood cabinets gray and upgrading her appliances, as seen in her before picture below.

With only one window in the space, however, the small kitchen lacked natural light and still felt dark. Her solution? Go lighter and brighter the second time around with a larger-scale redo. The existing cabinetry was replaced with airy, open shelving and modern, frameless European-style cupboards painted in Sherwin-Williams Oyster White. Vrazel also brought in additional lighting and white marble-look countertops from Caesarstone, which help throw sunlight around the space. Her kitchen backsplash, a classic white penny field tile from local favorite Castle Flooring, would certainly do the same. The only thing missing was an exclamation point on the space, and Vrazel knew that would be glitter grout.

That said, Vrazel had only seen this diamond bright finish once before renovating, but that was really all it took for her to fall in love. Her business partner, Amy Bramwell, had used the grout in her parents’ home, which is just a few blocks away from Vrazel’s own place. She liked the way this unexpected, design element added movement, interest, and additional shine to a space. “I was like, ‘Why wouldn’t you use it everywhere?'” says Vrazel. “It’s so cool!”

Neither Vrazel’s contractor nor her tile installer had ever heard of glitter grout pre-installation, so they had to custom order it. But Vrazel thinks the trend is on the rise and perhaps just about to take off. You can find glittery mix-ins to spice up standard store bought grout on Etsy, and big boxes like Home Depot stock readymade glitter grout in several colorways.

If you’re thinking about trying this trend, know that DIY mix-ins give you a little more control over how much glitz you add to your kitchen or bath setup, but some of the readymade options are quite lovely and subtle if that’s more your style. The bottom line: If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive, easy way to add a little extra light and shine to your kitchen backsplash or bathroom—and make it look luxe in the process, glitter grout just might be it.