The UK paint market ranges from cheap supermarket emulsions to luxury heritage paints costing several times as much per tin. Price is only part of the decision. Coverage, durability, colour depth, the range of finishes, eco credentials, how easy the paint is to apply and where you can buy it all affect which brand gives the best result and the best value.
This guide compares the best paint brands in the UK: premium heritage brands such as Farrow & Ball and Little Greene, mainstream favourites such as Dulux, Crown, Johnstone’s and Valspar, modern direct-to-consumer brands such as Lick and Coat, trade paints decorators rely on, and eco and specialist brands. It also covers prices per litre, coverage, premium vs trade paint, the best brands for each room, how to save money and the mistakes to avoid.
Table of Contents
How to Judge a Paint Brand
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Price per litre | Determines overall project cost |
| Coverage (m² per litre) | Affects how much paint you need |
| Opacity | Good opacity means fewer coats |
| Durability | Washable and scrubbable paints suit busy homes |
| Colour depth | Premium paints often use more complex pigments |
| Finish range | Matt, eggshell, satin, gloss, kitchen and bathroom paints |
| Eco credentials | Low VOC, water-based, recyclable tins |
| Availability | High-street stores, online, trade counters |
| Tester options | Affordable samples help you choose |
UK Paint Brand Price Comparison
| Brand | Category | Approx. Price per Litre (Emulsion) |
|---|---|---|
| Farrow & Ball | Luxury heritage | Around £22+ |
| Little Greene | Luxury heritage | Around £21+ |
| Coat | Premium online | From around £30 (flat matt) |
| Lick | Premium modern | Around £19 (eggshell) |
| Dulux Heritage | Premium mainstream | Around £14–£17 |
| Dulux Easycare | Mainstream | Around £13 |
| Valspar | Mainstream/premium | Around £11+ (kitchen & bathroom) |
| Johnstone’s | Mainstream/trade | Around £6–£9 (one coat matt) |
| Crown | Budget/mainstream | Around £9 |
| Trade paints (Leyland, Dulux Trade, Crown Trade) | Trade | Low per m²; varies by product |
Prices vary by retailer, colour and promotions, so always check current prices before buying.
Luxury and Heritage Paint Brands
Farrow & Ball
Farrow & Ball is the best-known luxury paint brand in the UK. Founded in Dorset, it is famous for its curated palette of rich, complex colours, its distinctive colour names and its strong appeal for period homes.
Key details:
- Known for: deep, layered colour and heritage shades
- Popular finishes: Estate Emulsion (very flat matt), Modern Emulsion (more washable), Estate Eggshell, Modern Eggshell
- Pricing: On the 2.5 L tin that most UK decorators buy for a standard room, Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion is £56 (£22.40 per litre)
- Coverage: Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion quotes 12 to 14 sqm per litre
- Samples: Farrow & Ball sample pots cost £8.50 for 100 ml
Best for: period homes, statement colours, designer schemes and those who want heritage colours with depth.
Drawbacks: expensive, and the flattest finishes are less hard-wearing in high-traffic areas.
Little Greene
Little Greene is a Manchester-founded heritage paint brand with deep roots in British colour history. It works with English Heritage on historically accurate colours and is popular with interior designers and period property owners.
Key details:
- Known for: historically inspired colours with high pigment levels
- Popular finishes: Intelligent Matt Emulsion, Absolute Matt, Intelligent Eggshell, Intelligent Satinwood
- Pricing: Little Greene Intelligent Matt Emulsion is £52 (£20.80 per litre) for 2.5 litres
- Coverage: Little Greene Intelligent Matt quotes 13 to 15 sqm per litre.
- Samples: Little Greene tester pots are £5.95 for 60 ml.
Best for: heritage homes, rich colour schemes and durable premium finishes.
Farrow & Ball vs Little Greene
| Factor | Farrow & Ball | Little Greene |
|---|---|---|
| Price (2.5L emulsion) | £56 | £52 |
| Coverage | 12–14 m²/L | 13–15 m²/L |
| Style | Iconic, curated palette | Historic colours, English Heritage collaboration |
| Durability | Modern Emulsion is more washable | Intelligent Matt is washable |
| Tester pots | £8.50 (100ml) | £5.95 (60ml) |
The price difference is small. As one comparison put it, for most homeowners the decision rarely comes down to £4 per tin. Both are also strong on eco credentials: Both brands removed nearly all VOC content years ago.
Other Luxury Brands Worth Knowing
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Paint & Paper Library | Sophisticated colour architecture, designer favourite |
| Mylands | London-based heritage paint maker with strong colours |
| Edward Bulmer Natural Paint | Plant-based natural paints, breathable finishes |
| Benjamin Moore | US brand sold in the UK; strong colour range and durable finishes |
| Graham & Brown | Paints and wallpapers, coordinating designs |
Edward Bulmer stands out for transparency. Unlike a lot of brands, Edward Bulmer lays open it’s entire ingredient list, to fully and clearly explain it’s nature-based paints.
Mainstream Paint Brands
Dulux
Dulux is one of the UK’s most familiar paint brands, sold widely through DIY stores, supermarkets and decorators’ merchants. It offers everything from budget-friendly emulsions to premium ranges and specialist paints.
Popular Dulux ranges:
- Dulux Easycare: washable, stain-resistant paint for busy rooms
- Dulux Heritage: premium heritage-style palette
- Dulux Simply Refresh One Coat: fast coverage
- Dulux Kitchen and Bathroom: moisture and steam resistance
- Dulux Weathershield: exterior paints
- Dulux Trade: professional paints
Pricing: Dulux Easycare Matt is around £32 (£12.80 per litre).
Dulux Heritage: The Value Alternative to Luxury Brands
Dulux Heritage offers a curated palette similar in spirit to luxury heritage brands, but at a lower price. One comparison reports that Dulux Heritage Matt sells for £35 to £42 depending on retailer, while Farrow & Ball Estate Emulsion is £56. Per litre that is £14 to £16.80 for Dulux Heritage against £22.40 for Farrow & Ball.
Testing is also cheaper. Testing five shades costs £12.50 for Dulux Heritage against £42.50 for Farrow & Ball.
Crown
Crown is a British paint manufacturer known for good value, and its paints are widely available in DIY stores. Crown also makes Crown Trade and the Sandtex masonry range.
Popular ranges:
- Crown Matt Emulsion
- Crown Clean Extreme (scrubbable)
- Crown Breatheasy (low-odour)
- Crown Trade Fastflow (quick-dry woodwork)
- Sandtex (exterior masonry)
Pricing: Crown Matt Emulsion costs around £22 (£8.80 per litre) for 2.5 litres.
Crown vs Dulux
| Factor | Crown | Dulux |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5L matt price | Around £22 | Around £32 (Easycare) |
| Price per litre | Around £8.80 | Around £12.80 |
| Coverage | 12–14 m²/L | 12–14 m²/L |
| Best for | Value | Wider range, washable finishes |
That is a £10 gap per tin, or roughly 31 percent saving with Crown. On coverage, On paper the two are tied.
Johnstone’s
Johnstone’s is a long-established brand popular with DIYers and decorators alike. It offers both retail and trade ranges at competitive prices.
Popular ranges:
- Johnstone’s One Coat Matt
- Johnstone’s Kitchen and Bathroom
- Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic Durable Matt and Eggshell
- Johnstone’s Garden Paint
Pricing examples:
- Argos lists Johnstone’s One Coat Matt in Brilliant White at £22.00 £8.80 / L for 2.5 litres
- B&Q lists Johnstone’s Trade Acrylic Durable Brilliant White Eggshell Interior Multi-surface Paint, 2.5L at £35£14 per l
Customer reviews on Argos are generally positive about its one-coat claims, though some report needing two coats. Note that standard One Coat Matt isn’t designed for bathrooms: It’s not advisable to use this One Coat Matt in bathrooms as it doesn’t have any moisture resistance.
Valspar
Valspar is sold mainly through B&Q in the UK and is known for its huge range of colours and colour-matching service. Valspar is a paint brand owned by Sherwin Williams and sold at B&Q. They have a huge range which covers just about every part of the market.
Popular ranges:
- Valspar Premium Walls and Ceilings
- Valspar Premium Kitchen and Bathroom
- Valspar V700 (highly durable)
- Valspar Trade
- Valspar Exterior
Pricing example: B&Q lists Valspar Premium Kitchen & Bathroom Pure Brilliant White Matt Emulsion paint, 2.5L at £28, or 11.20 per l.
Valspar’s trade products have improved too. One UK decorating forum notes that Valspar reformulated their trade range recently to compete on quality with Dulux, Crown and Johnstone’s.
Best for: colour matching, wide range availability and B&Q shoppers.
Modern Direct-to-Consumer Brands
Lick
Lick is a modern UK brand known for its simple numbered colour names, peel-and-stick samples, stylish branding and easy online ordering. Its paints are also sold in B&Q.
Key details:
- Known for: easy colour choice, peel-and-stick samples, modern palettes
- Finishes: matt, eggshell, kitchen and bathroom, and more
- Pricing: B&Q lists Lick Green 13 Eggshell Wall & ceiling Emulsion paint, 2.5L at £48£19.20 per l
Lick describes its eggshell as a hard-wearing, wipeable and high-pigment finish to weather scuffs and scrapes for years to come.
Best for: first-time decorators, modern homes and people who want an easy online buying experience.
Coat
Coat is a premium online paint brand known for its curated colour palette, eco credentials and sample patches. It is popular with professional decorators. Livingetc describes Coat as one of Paint the Town Green’s favorite paint brands.
Pricing: From £30 per liter in Flat Matte
Best for: design-led homes, eco-conscious buyers and premium matt finishes.
Trade Paint Brands
Professional decorators often use trade paints because they offer good coverage, consistent quality and lower cost per square metre.
| Trade Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Dulux Trade | Wide range, consistent quality, widely stocked |
| Crown Trade | Good-value trade finishes, Fastflow woodwork paints |
| Johnstone’s Trade | Durable acrylic finishes |
| Leyland Trade | Very affordable contract paints |
| Valspar Trade | Colour matching, improved formulations |
| Tikkurila | Durable Scandinavian paints popular with decorators |
| Mylands Trade | Premium trade paints |
Premium vs Trade Paint
The cost difference can be large. The price gap between premium brands (Farrow & Ball, Little Greene) and trade paints (Dulux Trade, Crown Trade) can be huge. One comparison puts it simply: Leyland Trade paint is £0.50 per m2 per coat vs Farrow and Ball is £1.50.
| Factor | Premium Paint | Trade Paint |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Higher per litre | Lower per litre |
| Colours | Curated, complex palettes | Wide colour mixing options |
| Finish | Often deeper, chalkier matt | Practical, durable |
| Best for | Feature rooms, period homes | Ceilings, rentals, whole-house repaints |
Colour Matching
Many decorators colour-match premium shades in trade paint to save money. However, colour-matched paint may not look exactly the same because pigments and bases differ. If an exact colour depth matters, buy the original brand.
Eco and Natural Paint Brands
| Brand | Known For |
|---|---|
| Earthborn | Clay paints, breathable, low odour |
| Edward Bulmer | Natural, plant-based ingredients |
| Coat | Eco-conscious, low VOC |
| Little Greene | Low VOC, sustainable practices |
| Farrow & Ball | Water-based, low VOC |
| Lime and mineral paints | Breathable for older solid-wall properties |
Eco paints are especially useful for:
- Children’s bedrooms and nurseries
- People sensitive to odours
- Older homes with solid walls that need to breathe
- Homeowners who want lower environmental impact
Best Paint Brands by Room and Use
| Room/Use | Recommended Paint Types and Brands |
|---|---|
| Living rooms | Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Dulux Heritage, Coat |
| Bedrooms | Low-odour or eco paints; Lick, Little Greene, Earthborn |
| Kitchens | Kitchen and bathroom paints; Valspar, Dulux, Johnstone’s |
| Bathrooms | Moisture-resistant paints; Dulux, Valspar, Crown |
| Hallways and stairs | Scrubbable paints; Dulux Easycare, Crown Clean Extreme |
| Children’s rooms | Washable, low-VOC paints |
| Ceilings | Trade matt or contract matt paints |
| Woodwork | Eggshell or satinwood from Crown Trade, Dulux Trade, Little Greene |
| Kitchen cabinets | Durable eggshell or specialist cabinet paints |
| Period homes | Farrow & Ball, Little Greene, Mylands, lime/clay paints |
| Rental properties | Trade or budget-friendly washable paints |
| Exterior walls | Sandtex, Dulux Weathershield, Johnstone’s masonry |
Exterior Masonry Paint
Exterior paints vary widely in price. One 2026 comparison found prices in April 2026 range from around £32 for Crown Trade Sandtex Ultra Smooth up to £128 for Farrow & Ball Exterior Masonry, per 5L. Durability matters as much as price: A £35 tin that lasts five years is not cheaper than a £55 tin that lasts fifteen.
How Much Will Paint Cost for a Whole House?
Brand choice makes a real difference across a whole house. One comparison estimates that over a typical three-bedroom UK house repaint of about 20 litres, the gap is meaningful: Dulux Heritage totals roughly £112 to £134, Farrow & Ball runs to £179.
| Brand Tier | Approx. Cost for 20 Litres |
|---|---|
| Budget/trade (around £6–£10/L) | £120–£200 |
| Mainstream (around £11–£14/L) | £220–£280 |
| Premium mainstream (around £14–£17/L) | £280–£340 |
| Luxury (around £21–£30/L) | £420–£600 |
These figures are approximate and depend on promotions, tin sizes and retailer.
Decorator Costs by Paint Brand
Using premium paint also affects decorator quotes. One guide lists per-room costs of Decorator, mid-range Dulux Heritage £120-£180 £160-£280 £280-£460 and Decorator, premium Farrow & Ball £220-£320 £220-£380 £440-£700, covering materials, labour and total.
Is Expensive Paint Worth It?
When Premium Paint Is Worth It
- You want a specific heritage colour with depth
- It’s a feature room, such as a living room, dining room or bedroom
- You have a period home
- You want a very flat, chalky matt finish
- You’re painting a small area, so the cost difference is small
When Budget or Trade Paint Makes Sense
- Ceilings
- Rental properties
- Whole-house repaints on a budget
- New plaster mist coats
- Utility rooms, garages and lofts
Mix and Match
Many homeowners use a combination: premium paint for feature walls and main rooms, and trade paint for ceilings and less visible areas.
How to Save Money on Paint
- Buy larger tins: 5L tins are usually cheaper per litre than 2.5L tins
- Use trade paint for ceilings: it’s cheaper and works well
- Watch for sales: retailers regularly discount paint
- Buy samples first: avoid wasting money on the wrong colour
- Use peel-and-stick samples: cheaper and less messy than tester pots
- Calculate quantities accurately: don’t overbuy
- Check trade counters: some offer discounts to the public
- Use good-quality paint: better coverage can mean fewer coats
- Store leftovers: keep paint sealed for touch-ups
- Recycle or donate leftover paint: some schemes accept unused paint
Tips for Choosing a Paint Brand
- Choose the colour first, then decide whether you need the original brand
- Check coverage claims and whether one-coat paints really need two coats
- Match the paint type to the room (kitchen, bathroom, scrubbable)
- Read reviews from decorators, not just marketing
- Consider eco credentials for bedrooms and children’s rooms
- Check where you can buy more paint later for touch-ups
Common Mistakes When Choosing Paint Brands
| Mistake | Better Approach |
|---|---|
| Choosing only by price | Consider coverage and durability |
| Using luxury flat matt in busy hallways | Use washable or scrubbable finishes |
| Believing all one-coat claims | Plan for two coats |
| Colour-matching and expecting an exact match | Test the matched paint first |
| Using standard emulsion in bathrooms | Use moisture-resistant paint |
| Skipping primers on bare surfaces | Use the right primer or mist coat |
| Buying all paint before sampling | Test colours first |
| Mixing batches without boxing | Mix tins together for consistent colour |
Final Thoughts
The best paint brand in the UK depends on your budget, the room and the finish you want. Farrow & Ball and Little Greene lead the luxury and heritage market at around £21–£22 per litre, with deep, complex colours ideal for period homes and statement rooms. Dulux Heritage offers a similar look for less. Dulux, Crown, Johnstone’s and Valspar offer reliable, widely available paints for everyday decorating, with Crown often the best value at around £9 per litre. Lick and Coat suit design-led buyers who want easy online ordering, and trade paints remain the smart choice for ceilings, rentals and whole-house repaints. For many homes, the best approach is to mix brands: premium paint where colour matters most and trade paint where practicality and cost matter more.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best paint brand in the UK?
Farrow & Ball and Little Greene are top for luxury heritage colours, while Dulux, Crown and Johnstone’s are popular for value and everyday durability.
2. Is Farrow & Ball worth the money?
It’s worth it if you want its specific colours and finish, especially for period homes and feature rooms. Dulux Heritage is a cheaper alternative.
3. What is the cheapest good-quality paint brand in the UK?
Crown and Johnstone’s offer good-quality emulsions at around £9 per litre, and trade paints like Leyland Trade are even cheaper per square metre.
