9 Stylish Alternatives to Farrow & Ball Paint Colors for Budget-Friendly Decor
Renovating your home? You’re not alone! Those finishing touches can add up. Here’s how to find great paint colors without overspending.
Farrow & Ball, a premium paint brand made in small batches in southwest England, retails for around $125 per gallon in the U.S., often even more. Known for its unique shades like “Mole’s Breath” and “Rangwali,” a bright pink inspired by India’s Holi festival, their colors are captivating.
Many fans love the rich, deep tones that impress even the most selective decorators. While these curated collections are stunning, there are equally attractive alternatives that won’t strain your budget. Let’s explore how to elevate your space for less.
SIMPLE COLOR MATCHING
Chelsea Lipford Wolf, co-host of Today’s Homeowner TV show, emphasizes the effectiveness of modern color-matching systems at paint stores. You can achieve close matches to high-end brand shades.
Bring your desired sample to any paint or home improvement store, and staff can quickly replicate the color without needing a chip chart. Will your matched paint look exactly like Farrow & Ball? That depends on the quality of the alternative paint, which should be mid-range or better.
For instance, “Sulking Room Pink” from Farrow & Ball can be closely matched with Behr's Modern Mocha, which has a slightly more mocha/brown tone, according to Wolf.
FINDING A BALANCE
You often get what you pay for. Wolf suggests sticking to familiar brands but opting for their mid-tier lines, preferably those under $50 per gallon for better coverage.
“I have experience with Behr's Marquee line,” Wolf shares. “While it’s their top-tier paint, at about $40 a gallon, it offers excellent coverage, often needing just one coat.”
Higher-quality paints generally require fewer coats, translating to less overall time and effort. What seems like a good deal with cheaper paints often leads to needing more gallons to achieve the desired finish. Poor quality means more layers, which can be frustrating.
Recent Consumer Reports testing indicates that many budget paints fall short and require multiple applications for satisfactory coverage. Their analysis of over two dozen lines in 2020 revealed that not all products from the same brand deliver consistent results. For instance, while some Benjamin Moore paints performed well, others didn’t. Interestingly, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams outperformed some of its own brand paints.
“Higher-quality paints contain more pigments,” Wolf explains. “These pigments contribute to the color and texture. More pigments mean richer colors and can determine whether you need one or three coats for complete coverage.”
Additionally, more pigments lead to durability, allowing the paint to resist scuffs and dirt better.
Here are some suggested alternatives for nine popular Farrow & Ball shades:
To mimic Farrow & Ball’s “Ammonite,” consider “Light Pewter” by Benjamin Moore.
For “Hague Blue,” try “Poppy Seed” from Behr.
To match “Elephant’s Breath,” use “Big Bend Beige” by Benjamin Moore.
For “Railings,” consider “Cracked Pepper” by Behr.
To replicate “Stiffkey Blue,” opt for “Van Deusen Blue” from Benjamin Moore.
For “Skimming Stone,” go with “Kitten Whiskers” by Benjamin Moore.
To match “Sulking Room Pink,” use “Modern Mocha” from Behr.
For “Cornforth White,” try “Wish” by Benjamin Moore.
To emulate “Mizzle,” consider “Lily Pad” from Benjamin Moore.
SMART BUDGETING
If you can’t commit to painting an entire room, refreshing a single wall or a piece of furniture can transform your space. Navy and certain blacks can serve as neutrals, pairing well with any color.
Before selling her home, Wolf painted one wall in her bedroom using “Eucalyptus Wreath” from Behr to create an inviting atmosphere for buyers. With quality paint, you’ll likely need just one gallon for a full wall.
VALUE VS. COST
If you can afford premium paint, is it worth choosing the most expensive options? While there are benefits, they may not justify the high price tag.
However, some argue that the real cost of using Farrow & Ball exceeds the price per gallon due to their recommended “Perfect Preparation & Application” guidelines, which often involve multiple preparation steps and coats. This can quickly escalate expenses.
TOP PICKS FROM CONSUMER REPORTS
Selecting the right paint brand can feel overwhelming with so many options available. To assist, here are the top six paint lines from Consumer Reports, listed alphabetically: Behr, Benjamin Moore, Kilz, PPG, Prestige Paints, and Valspar.
Didn’t find your favorite brand mentioned? It might be time to explore new options for your next home improvement project!