Technical & Product Guidance
Farrow & Ball vs Little Greene: A Practical Comparison
When clients in Westminster and central London specify premium paint, the conversation almost always comes down to Farrow and Ball or Little Greene. Both are excellent products with loyal followings, but they are not identical. Having used both extensively across hundreds of London decorating projects, we can offer a practical perspective that goes beyond the marketing and focuses on what actually matters: how they look, how they perform, and how they handle on site.
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Farrow & Ball vs Little Greene: A Practical Comparison
Colour range and character
Farrow and Ball's colour card is one of the most recognisable in the industry. Their palette of around one hundred and fifty colours is curated, cohesive, and deeply rooted in heritage. Colours like Hague Blue, Railings, and Elephant's Breath have become design standards. The colours are grouped to work together, and the brand's approach to colour — rich pigments, complex undertones — gives their paints a depth that is immediately recognisable on the wall. Little Greene offers a larger palette — over three hundred colours — drawn from historical archives including the National Trust and English Heritage collections. Their heritage colours are exceptionally well researched, and the range includes shades that are harder to find elsewhere. For period properties where historical accuracy matters, Little Greene's archive-based palette is a significant advantage. Colours like French Grey, Slaked Lime, and Stone Dark Warm are staples in London period interiors. In practice, both brands offer colours that overlap — similar warm whites, similar heritage greys, similar deep blues. Where they diverge is at the edges of the palette. Farrow and Ball's colours tend to feel more curated and interconnected; Little Greene's range is broader and more varied. Neither is objectively better — the choice often comes down to whether a specific colour in one range speaks to the client more than anything in the other.
Coverage and application
Coverage is where the two brands show the most noticeable practical difference. Little Greene's emulsions generally offer better coverage per litre than Farrow and Ball's, particularly on lighter colours. This means fewer coats to achieve opacity and, in some cases, a lower total cost despite similar per-litre pricing. On dark colours, both brands may require three coats over a lighter base, but Little Greene's deeper tones tend to build opacity more consistently. Farrow and Ball reformulated their Modern Emulsion range several years ago to improve durability and scrubbability, and the current formulation is significantly better than older versions. However, the paint remains relatively thin in consistency and requires careful application to avoid lapping marks and roller stipple. An experienced decorator handles this easily, but it is less forgiving of poor technique than some other premium products. Little Greene's Intelligent Emulsion — their wipeable matt — has a slightly thicker body that many decorators find easier to work with. It flows well, levels nicely, and provides a forgiving application window. Their Intelligent Eggshell for woodwork and moisture-prone areas is similarly well-regarded for its application properties. In side-by-side use, our decorators generally report that Little Greene is slightly easier to achieve a consistent finish with, particularly for less experienced painters.
Durability and finish quality
Both brands produce finishes that are well above contractor-grade paints in terms of depth of colour and richness of finish. The matt emulsions from both brands have a chalky, pigment-rich quality that catches and holds light beautifully — this is why premium paints look different on the wall, not just on the colour card. For durability, Farrow and Ball's Modern Emulsion is now wipeable and handles light cleaning without marking. Little Greene's Intelligent Emulsion is also wipeable and, in our experience, slightly more resistant to scuffing in high-traffic areas. For hallways, children's rooms, and anywhere that takes daily wear, Little Greene's Intelligent range has a marginal edge in toughness without sacrificing the matt appearance. On woodwork, both brands offer excellent eggshell and satin finishes. Farrow and Ball's Modern Eggshell is water-based, with good levelling and a subtle sheen. Little Greene's Intelligent Eggshell is similarly water-based and offers comparable performance. Both have largely replaced solvent-based finishes in London homes, though some decorators still prefer a traditional oil-based eggshell for the hardest-wearing applications like front doors and heavily used handrails.
Price and value
Per litre, the two brands are closely matched — both sit firmly in the premium tier. A two-point-five litre tin of either brand's matt emulsion costs roughly the same. However, if Little Greene offers better coverage per litre, the total paint cost for a project may be lower even if the per-litre price is similar. This is worth calculating on larger projects where the volume of paint is significant. Both brands are available through trade accounts with professional decorators, and bulk pricing on larger projects can make a meaningful difference. Neither brand should be purchased from discount retailers, as stock may be old or storage conditions uncertain. Both brands' own showrooms and authorised stockists guarantee fresh, properly stored product and provide colour consultation support. The value question goes beyond the paint itself. Both brands provide colour consultation services, large sample pots, and technical support. Farrow and Ball's showrooms are more numerous in London, and their brand recognition among clients is arguably higher. Little Greene's technical support and historical colour research resources are exceptionally good. For professional decorators, having a relationship with both brands' trade desks is the practical approach.
Which should you choose?
For most London decorating projects, either brand will deliver an excellent result. The choice often comes down to colour. If the specific shade a client wants is in the Farrow and Ball range, there is no practical reason to look elsewhere. If the colour is in Little Greene's palette — or if the project requires historically accurate heritage colours — Little Greene is the logical choice. Many of our projects use both brands in different rooms or for different elements. Where the project involves large areas of wall in lighter colours, Little Greene's superior coverage can make it the more cost-effective choice. Where the project centres on a specific Farrow and Ball colour that the client has set their heart on — and this happens regularly — the brand choice is already made. Neither brand is a compromise; both are genuine premium products that perform well in London's period and contemporary interiors. Our practical recommendation is to choose the colour first and let that drive the brand decision. If both brands offer a suitable shade, lean towards Little Greene for slightly better coverage and durability, or Farrow and Ball if the client has a strong brand preference or wants access to their in-store consultation service. A good decorator will work happily with either product and deliver a finish that does justice to both the paint and the property.
Westminster Painters & Decorators
Established 2005 · City of Westminster · £10M public liability insurance · Company No. 16838595
Our decorating team works across Westminster, Belgravia, Chelsea, Mayfair, and neighbouring central London areas. We cover residential homes, period properties, commercial offices, and managed buildings — with heritage sensitivity and clean site discipline throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this topic.
Premium paints like Farrow and Ball and Little Greene offer richer colour, better depth of finish, and superior pigment quality compared to standard trade paints. Whether the additional cost is worthwhile depends on the project. In a living room, bedroom, or reception room where the finish quality is visible and appreciated, the difference is clear. In a utility room or store cupboard, a good trade paint may be perfectly adequate.
Absolutely. Many of our projects use one brand on the walls and another on the woodwork, or different brands in adjacent rooms. As long as the colours are chosen to work together — which is where sample testing is essential — there is no technical reason not to mix brands. The paints are fully compatible.
Both brands offer exterior products, but Little Greene's range of exterior paints — including their oil-based and masonry products — is broader and has a longer track record in our experience. Farrow and Ball's Exterior Masonry and Exterior Eggshell are good products, but for demanding exterior applications in London, Little Greene has a slight edge in durability.
Related Services
Services related to this topic.
Colour Consultation
Colour and finish guidance for Westminster homes and business interiors where the decorative decisions need more confidence before work starts.
View ServiceInterior Painting
Internal decorating for apartments, townhouses, offices, and shared spaces where the finish needs to feel controlled rather than hurried.
View ServiceRelated Districts
Westminster districts relevant to this topic.
Belgravia & Eaton Square
A district defined by stucco-fronted mansions, embassy properties, and private garden squares where the finish standard and the working manner are both judged closely.
View DistrictKensington & Kensington High Street
A residential district defined by grand terraces, mansion blocks, and period homes where the decorating standard is expected to match the architecture without fuss.
View DistrictNext Step
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