Espresso vs Licorice
Espresso is a Cloverdale Paint color while Licorice comes from Tikkurila. Espresso reads as greige-grey, while Licorice reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. With LRVs of 8 and 7, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. At ΔE 6.0, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Espresso vs Licorice in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Espresso and Licorice are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. Side by side like this, the difference is easy to read — which is exactly why seeing them in a real space is more useful than comparing chips.
Color Details
Espresso vs Licorice Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Espresso on one side and Licorice on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Espresso comparisons
See how Espresso stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
