Choosing the right paint can feel overwhelming. Walk into any paint store, and you’re immediately confronted with walls of color swatches, each promising to transform your space. Two brands often top the list for homeowners and designers alike: Farrow & Ball and Benjamin Moore. Both are known for their quality and depth of color, but they cater to different needs and preferences. If you’re trying to Compare Benjamin Moore Colors to find the ideal hues for your project, understanding how they stack up against brands like Farrow & Ball is essential. Having used both extensively over the past nine years, I’m diving deep into a direct comparison, highlighting the pros and cons to help you decide which brand deserves a place on your walls.
Full disclosure: both Farrow & Ball and Benjamin Moore have gifted me paint for various projects, but this review is entirely unsponsored and based on my genuine experiences. As someone with a background in graphic design, art direction, and photography – professions deeply rooted in color precision – I bring a critical eye to evaluating paint. My sensitivity to color nuances and finishes is finely tuned, and I’m here to offer an unfiltered perspective to aid your decision-making process when you compare Benjamin Moore colors and other premium brands.
A room painted in Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue, showcasing the brand’s signature depth of color.
Farrow & Ball Paint: The Allure of a Curated Palette
Originating from Britain, Farrow & Ball gained significant traction in the US around 2013. During the initial years of renovating my home, it was my go-to brand, and about half of my house proudly wears Farrow & Ball colors.
Pros
- Unmatched Color Curation: Farrow & Ball’s color palette is, without a doubt, their strongest selling point. The limited, meticulously curated selection simplifies decision-making and minimizes the risk of color selection errors. Choosing paint colors is often the most challenging aspect of interior design, and their focused palette acts as a guiding hand, leading you to sophisticated and harmonious choices. When you compare Benjamin Moore colors to Farrow & Ball, you immediately notice the difference in the sheer volume of options versus Farrow & Ball’s edited collection.
- Exceptional Pigments and Light Interaction: The depth and complexity of Farrow & Ball’s pigments are truly in a league of their own. Attempting to color match Farrow & Ball shades with other brands inevitably falls short. Their unique blend of pigments creates colors that are inherently neutral and possess a remarkable ability to interact with light. This interaction results in an atmospheric quality that is hard to replicate. My background in photography has made me acutely aware of how light plays on color and texture, and Farrow & Ball consistently excels in creating surfaces that respond beautifully to varying light conditions. The subtle nuances in their colors become even more apparent when you compare Benjamin Moore colors side-by-side in different lighting.
- Soft and Romantic Color Aesthetic: The pigment composition lends Farrow & Ball colors a distinctive soft and romantic feel. This inherent softness contributes to creating spaces that feel inviting and subtly elegant.
- Estate Emulsion Sheen: The Estate Emulsion finish, with its 2% sheen, is simply stunning on walls. It’s often described as “sexy” for a reason. This minimal sheen level allows the color to truly soak up light, creating depth and then subtly reflecting the color back into the room. It evokes the sophisticated matte finishes seen in historic British museums, adding a touch of old-world charm. This finish is a key element to consider when you compare Benjamin Moore colors and their various sheen levels, as Benjamin Moore offers a wider range of finishes.
- Inspiring Marketing and Brand Imagery: Farrow & Ball’s marketing and visual presentation are highly aspirational and clearly targeted towards design enthusiasts and professionals. They understand and value the creative process, evident in both their color development and marketing strategies. This cohesive brand identity resonates strongly with the design-conscious consumer.
Cons
- Technical Application Issues: Despite the color allure, Farrow & Ball paint can be technically challenging to work with. I’ve personally experienced significant frustrations, including cans where the pigment and sheen separated, requiring extensive drill mixing. Their high gloss finish has proven problematic, becoming sticky in even mildly humid conditions, attracting dust and pet hair – a nightmare for dark-colored doors. The Queen of May room project was plagued with so many technical issues that it became a source of considerable stress.
- Subpar Primer: The Farrow & Ball primer is not recommended. It’s best to skip it altogether and opt for a more reliable primer from another brand.
- Multiple Coats Required: Achieving full color saturation typically requires three coats of Farrow & Ball paint. This translates to increased time and material costs, especially if you are hiring painters.
- Semi-Gloss Finish Concerns: Due to coverage issues, the semi-gloss finish is best avoided. My experience with using it on trim was less than satisfactory, despite the color itself being beautiful. This is a crucial point when you compare Benjamin Moore colors and finishes, as Benjamin Moore’s semi-gloss and other finishes are generally praised for their coverage and durability.
- High Price Point: Farrow & Ball is undeniably expensive. The premium price can be a significant factor for budget-conscious projects.
- Limited Durability: Durability is a major drawback. Farrow & Ball paints are not as washable or scrubbable as many other brands. While some areas have held up reasonably well, others have shown wear and tear. Homes with children or pets might find the durability lacking, especially when you compare Benjamin Moore colors known for their scrubbable and durable formulations.
- Problematic High Gloss Finish: The high gloss finish doesn’t fully harden and is not recommended for future use based on my negative experiences.
- Accessibility and Availability: If you are not located near a retailer, obtaining additional paint gallons requires shipping and waiting time, which can disrupt project timelines.
- Application Difficulty: Proper drill mixing is essential, making it less user-friendly for novice painters.
- Limited Volume Sizes: Farrow & Ball doesn’t offer 5-gallon buckets, which is inconvenient for larger projects, requiring the purchase of numerous smaller cans.
Would I Use It Again? Yes, but with significant reservations. I would avoid it for trim or areas requiring high durability. For walls, I might consider Estate Emulsion if a specific, irreplaceable color is desired, like the iconic Hague Blue. However, the technical challenges and durability concerns remain significant drawbacks.
A living room painted in Farrow & Ball Light Blue, illustrating the brand’s ability to create soft, inviting spaces.
A primary bathroom featuring Benjamin Moore Duxbury Grey, highlighting the brand’s versatility and color accuracy.
Benjamin Moore Paint: Performance and Palette Powerhouse
Benjamin Moore, an American brand with roots dating back to 1883, emphasizes both color and paint science. It has been my preferred brand since my first apartment days in NYC due to its widespread availability at independent retailers. Currently, about 50% of my home is painted in Benjamin Moore, with plans to expand this further as renovations continue.
Pros
- Exceptional Technical Performance: Benjamin Moore’s technical performance is consistently impressive. Their extensive product line addresses a wide range of needs with specialized formulas for walls, cabinets, and primers. This robust product range has been invaluable in preventing potential painting disasters. When you compare Benjamin Moore colors and product lines to Farrow & Ball, the breadth of Benjamin Moore’s offerings for specific applications becomes clear.
- Easy Accessibility: Benjamin Moore retailers are readily accessible. Multiple stores are located within a short drive from my home, making it incredibly convenient to purchase additional paint or supplies as needed. This ease of access is a significant advantage over Farrow & Ball’s more limited availability.
- Vast Color Selection: The sheer number of colors Benjamin Moore offers is staggering. While this can be a double-edged sword (addressed in cons), the extensive palette provides unparalleled choice and the ability to find truly unique shades. When you compare Benjamin Moore colors to the more restricted palette of Farrow & Ball, the difference in options is dramatic.
- Aura Bath and Spa – F&B Estate Emulsion Alternative: For those seeking a finish similar to Farrow & Ball’s Estate Emulsion, Benjamin Moore’s Aura Bath & Spa paint is an excellent alternative. This matte finish, designed for bathrooms, surprisingly mimics the 2% sheen of Estate Emulsion. More importantly, it boasts exceptional durability and scrubbability. I’ve used it extensively, even outside bathrooms, due to its robustness and beautiful matte appearance. Despite its higher price point within the Benjamin Moore line, its durability and aesthetic qualities make it a worthwhile investment. This product stands out when you compare Benjamin Moore colors and finishes, particularly for those seeking a matte look with high performance.
- Grand Entrance High Gloss Door Paint: The Grand Entrance High Gloss Door paint is outstanding. After my disappointing experience with Farrow & Ball’s high gloss, Benjamin Moore’s offering has become my new favorite. It replicates the look of traditional oil paint with a hard, durable finish that dries relatively quickly. Ideal for historic homes, this paint will be my go-to for repainting all doors.
- Comprehensive Primer Selection: Benjamin Moore offers a wide array of primers tailored to specific needs, and all have performed reliably in my experience.
- Green Undertone Color Expertise: Benjamin Moore excels with colors that have green undertones. Their green pigments are particularly well-formulated, resulting in beautiful and nuanced shades. This is a subtle but significant advantage when you compare Benjamin Moore colors in the green and neutral families.
- User-Friendly Application: Benjamin Moore paints are generally easy to apply, making them a great choice for DIY beginners.
- Excellent Coverage in Two Coats: Achieving full color saturation often requires only two coats, saving both time and product compared to Farrow & Ball.
- Competitive Pricing: Even Benjamin Moore’s premium lines are generally more affordable than Farrow & Ball. Combined with better coverage, the overall cost-effectiveness is significantly higher.
- Customizable Colors: Benjamin Moore colors can be easily customized at local retailers. The ability to adjust color percentages offers greater flexibility in achieving the perfect shade.
- Availability in 5-Gallon Buckets: Benjamin Moore offers 5-gallon buckets, which are practical for larger projects and managing paint supplies efficiently.
Cons
- Overwhelming Color Choices: The vast color selection, while a pro, can also be a con. Navigating the numerous options and avoiding color selection mistakes can be challenging. The potential for error is higher compared to Farrow & Ball’s curated palette. Sampling becomes crucial, and the cost of samples can add up. When you compare Benjamin Moore colors, the sheer volume can initially feel daunting.
- Red Pigment Vibrancy: The red pigment in some Benjamin Moore colors can be overly vibrant, sometimes creating unwanted undertones, particularly in neutrals and soft pinks. Careful sampling is essential to ensure the red undertones are appropriate for the desired look.
- “Brighter and More Vibrating” Colors: Many Benjamin Moore colors tend to be “brighter and vibrate more,” which might not be ideal for those seeking a soft, desaturated aesthetic. Achieving a desaturated look often requires selecting colors that appear more muted than initially preferred.
- Marketing Diffuseness: Benjamin Moore’s marketing caters to a broad spectrum of customers, from contractors to designers, resulting in a less focused brand identity compared to Farrow & Ball. Consumers seeking a specific “look” might find Benjamin Moore’s marketing less directly inspiring and may need to look elsewhere for visual direction.
Would I Use It Again? Absolutely. Benjamin Moore is my starting point for most paint projects. The only reason I might deviate is if I’m pursuing a very specific color that I believe is uniquely offered by another brand.
A first-floor powder room painted in Benjamin Moore Anchor Grey, demonstrating the brand’s ability to create sophisticated and modern spaces.
A primary bedroom featuring Benjamin Moore Burnt Sienna, showcasing the warmth and richness achievable with Benjamin Moore colors.
Final Thoughts on Farrow & Ball vs. Benjamin Moore
Ultimately, both Farrow & Ball and Benjamin Moore offer high-quality paints, but they cater to different priorities. Farrow & Ball excels in curated color palettes and unique light-reactive pigments, creating a romantic and sophisticated aesthetic. However, it comes with technical challenges, lower durability, and a higher price tag. Benjamin Moore shines in technical performance, durability, ease of application, and a vast, versatile color selection, all at a more accessible price point.
When you compare Benjamin Moore colors and Farrow & Ball, consider your project’s specific needs. For curated, nuanced colors and a signature matte finish where budget and durability are less critical, Farrow & Ball might be the choice. For a wider color range, reliable performance, durability, and ease of use, Benjamin Moore is often the more practical and versatile option.
Thank you for joining my paint brand deep dive! I hope this comparison aids you in your paint selection journey.
Do you have experiences with either of these paint brands? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
