Should The Kitchen And Living Room Be The Same Color?

When picking out paint colors, you might be tempted to pick out your favorite color and slap it on all the walls in your home. But the truth is that choosing colors is a complex task with nuances and details that shouldn't be ignored. But does that mean two rooms -- like the kitchen and living room -- shouldn't be painted the same color? We've researched this topic and have come up with the answer. 

The kitchen and living room can be different colors, as long as there's a cohesive feeling throughout. Choose the color for each room based on how it will look in that specific room since the same color might act very differently in another room. 

If you keep reading, you'll see a deeper explanation of this answer. We'll talk about why colors matter, how to make sure they're cohesive, and what colors look best in each room. Here we go!

Beautiful living room interior with hardwood floors and and view of kitchen in new luxury home, Should The Kitchen And Living Room Be The Same Color?

Should the kitchen and living room be the same color?

The biggest factor when deciding whether or not these two rooms should be the same color is the position of the rooms. Here are a couple of ways to think about this.

Do the two rooms naturally flow together?

If your kitchen and living room are connected by the same wall, they should be the same color. If there isn't a natural break between the walls in the two rooms, it will be nearly impossible to separate them based on the paint color. For instance, this living room and kitchen are a part of an open floor plan, which means they should be cohesive.

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Beautiful living room interior with hardwood floors and and view of kitchen in new luxury home

Are they separate rooms?

Many homes have a separate kitchen and living room. In this case, you can be much more flexible. However, your home will look best if it's all based on one specific color palette. There are exceptions to this, of course: your child's room doesn't have to be the same monochromatic gray as the rest of the house. 

With this in mind, remember that paint should be picked out for whichever room it's in. The same paint color can look very different depending on which room it's in. The lighting in each room -- whether natural or artificial -- can change the way a color appears. Other factors can also change the appearance in unexpected ways.

In a kitchen, for instance, the way the wall color interacts with the appliances, countertop, and cabinets will change it drastically. It might be more muted or fade into the background. Or, it might clash with those things in an ugly way. 

Should The Decor Theme Be The Same In The Kitchen And Living Room?

The decor theme should be the same throughout the kitchen and living room (and actually, probably throughout the whole home), though this doesn't necessarily mean painting them the same color. 

Most experts would agree that the rooms in your home should have some common theme, but don't have to be exactly the same. For instance, walking from a farmhouse style living room into a vibey 1960s style kitchen will seem disorganized and confusing. If you want to use a particular style, plan on using it throughout the home.

How Many Paint Colors Should A House Have?

One way to figure out a smooth color theme throughout the home is to pick out up to five colors or tones that you want to define the house. Ideally, you should have one white or off-white, one neutral, and three colors. Play around with a color wheel if you find that useful. You're looking for a handful of colors that you enjoy and that will help your home feel comfortable.

Don't worry about getting it perfect or making sure all five colors look good together. This isn't the final decision! You can adjust the hues on each of these colors as necessary, which is where the color wheel comes in handy. For instance, if two of your colors are yellow and blue, you can change the hue and intensity of each to support each other when you need it. 

What Colors Go Best In The Kitchen?

There are several things to consider when picking out the color for your kitchen. First of all, are you willing to change the cabinets, flooring, or countertops? If not, you'll need to pick out a color that coordinates with those more permanent elements. If you're planning on changing those things, you have much more freedom to choose a color that helps your kitchen. Here are some popular colors for kitchens.

Red

Red is said to stimulate appetites, which would make it perfect for your kitchen! It also pairs well with any color of appliance or cabinet. Typically, kitchens have less wall space than other rooms, so it's a great place to try something bold without risking overwhelming the home.

Modern fitted kitchen with red wall

White

White is energizing and clean, which is perfect for a room where relaxation isn't the main objective. If you're like most people, you spend some time in the kitchen to start the day, so a bright, energizing room might be helpful. It also pairs well with almost any color of appliance, flooring, or countertop.

White kitchen interior design

Gray

Some people consider gray to be too cool or bland for a kitchen, but that doesn't have to be the case. Pair gray with vibrant utensils and dishes, or with a fun countertop stone to offset the quiet walls. Or, pick out a shade of gray that's closer to blue to get the best of both worlds.

White industrial kitchen interior with island table

What Colors Go Best In The Living Room?

Just like in the kitchen, you might already have several elements that will remain in the living room to help you figure out what color you should paint the walls. Furniture, carpet or flooring, and light fixtures might all be pieces of the puzzle. If those aren't factors, here are some of the best colors to put in your living room.

Beige

If you're looking for a wall color that will give the room some warmth without making it too dark, consider beige. Falling somewhere between tan and white, beige is flexible and can be paired with a wide variety of furniture colors and styles. It's easier on the eyes than white.

Retro style in beautiful living room interior with gray empty wall

Gray

Gray is a popular color for many living rooms due to its versatility and cooling effect. It can be paired with warm colors such as brown or red, or cool colors such as blue or green. While white helps a room feel bright, gray does so while also giving it depth and creativity.

Living room interior with picture frame on gray walls

You'll need a great couch to go with your gray walls. Check out this article for some ideas: What Color Couch Goes With Grey Walls?

Light Blue

Want a splash of color in your living room? Light blue is a simple choice -- it is bright and cheerful and can help your room feel expansive. Consider pairing it with brown leather furniture to ground the room. Or, use off-white pieces to keep it bright and airy.

Bohemian living room interior

What Colors Make A Room Look Bigger?

If you have a small room, you can make it look bigger with how you paint it. Bright colors naturally reflect light, helping the space feel larger and more open. If you can tolerate a stark white, this is the simplest way to brighten up the room. But if you need color, a light gray will do the trick.

Or, opt for soft tones of bolder colors such as purple, blue, or green. While warm colors tend to close things off, cool colors open your eyes. They're also more fun, so you don't have to feel like you're in a sterile environment.

Have a small living room and are looking for ways to decorate it? This article can help you: 9 Small Living Room Layouts With TV

In Closing

The colors in your home should be coordinated and flow together. However, it's best if each color is chosen specifically for its room. If the kitchen and living room are connected by unbroken walls, they should be the same color. Otherwise, feel free to change the colors between the two. We hope this article has given you some ideas and starts you off on the right foot!

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