If you’ve ever stood in a paint aisle, torn between earthy sophistication and trade-trusted practicality, you’re not alone. Choosing the right brand can feel like a commitment – not just to colour, but to finish, longevity, and even lifestyle. That’s where this deep dive into Dulux and Farrow & Ball comes in. Two British giants, two very different personalities. One’s the curated colour connoisseur, the other a versatile, hardworking staple. So which should earn a place in your next home project?
The Soul of the Brand
Let’s start with what these brands stand for. Farrow & Ball is the design darling – born in Dorset, still made in the UK, and known for its refined, heritage-inspired palette. Its colour range is small but intensely pigmented, each shade shifting subtly with the light. Meanwhile, Dulux brings sheer range. Owned by AkzoNobel, it’s one of the most accessible and expansive paint brands in the world, trusted by DIYers and professionals alike.
Where Farrow & Ball tells a colour story with poetic names like “Borrowed Light” or “Sulking Room Pink”, Dulux offers near-infinite options, easily visualised through its app. It’s a clear winner for customisation and flexibility, especially if you’re matching colours to existing decor.
Coverage, Finish and Effort
Here’s where we talk numbers. Farrow & Ball’s Modern Emulsion covers up to 12–14m² per litre. Not bad, but Dulux Trade Vinyl Matt covers an impressive 17m² per litre. That means fewer tins, fewer trips to the shop, and likely fewer coats.
While Farrow & Ball’s chalky finish is loved for its aesthetic, many decorators note that darker shades can require a primer and multiple coats for full opacity. In contrast, Dulux products – especially the Trade line and the newer Heritage Velvet Matt – glide on smoother, dry faster, and offer excellent coverage in just two coats. If you’re painting an entire home or working on a tight timeline, Dulux makes the process faster and cheaper without sacrificing quality.
Durability in the Real World
Now, about life’s messy moments. That hallway wall brushed by school bags, the kitchen corner prone to splashes, or the stairwell where muddy hands inevitably wander – these areas need serious staying power. Farrow & Ball’s Estate Emulsion is only lightly wipeable. Go for their Modern Emulsion or Dead Flat if durability matters.
Meanwhile, Dulux makes scrubbable finishes standard in many lines. From the Easycare range designed for kitchens and bathrooms to the Velvet Matt Heritage for elegant spaces, the brand consistently delivers walls that can take a hit and still look fresh.
Eco-Credentials and Indoor Air
Both brands are moving in the right direction when it comes to environmental responsibility. Farrow & Ball gets points for being ultra low-VOC and producing its paints in ISO 14001-certified facilities. Dulux, though more mass-market, also offers low-VOC and 99.9% solvent-free options – especially in the Trade Vinyl Matt range. For nurseries, bedrooms or allergy-sensitive households, either can be a safe choice if you stick to their water-based lines.
What About the Cost?
This is where things get real. A 2.5L tin of Farrow & Ball’s Estate Emulsion hovers around £54, depending on shade and supplier. Dulux, on the other hand, offers its standard emulsion for around £23 per 2.5L, with the Heritage or Trade variants priced closer to £40–£50. But when you factor in Dulux’s higher coverage per litre, the cost per finished wall area often works out far more economical – sometimes three times cheaper than Farrow & Ball.
So, Which One Should You Choose?
Here’s a practical way to think about it:
- Use Farrow & Ball if your project is small but style-driven – a feature wall, a period renovation, or a room where you want that rich, layered tone only premium pigment can provide.
- Use Dulux for large areas, high-traffic zones, or whole-house refreshes. It’s reliable, tough, widely available, and budget-smart.
For many, a hybrid approach works best. Splash out on a couple of Farrow & Ball shades for those spotlight areas. Then roll out Dulux across the rest of the house, knowing it’ll do the heavy lifting without complaint.
Paint is more than a colour on a wall – it’s mood, identity, even resale value. Whether you lean towards the heritage charm of Farrow & Ball or the high-performance versatility of Dulux, the best choice is the one that aligns with your space, budget and the story you want your home to tell. And if you’re still undecided? Grab a tester pot of each and let the walls speak.
