Farrow & Ball vs Little Greene vs Dulux vs Valspar — What’s Best for Fitted Furniture Finishes?

When you’re investing in bespoke fitted furniture, the finish matters as much as the craftsmanship. The right paint doesn’t just add colour — it defines the tone, texture, and longevity of your furniture.

At Swyft Services, we work with several premium paint brands depending on your preference, budget, and the space your furniture will live in. Here’s a plain-English comparison to help you choose what’s right for your home.

Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball is often the first name people think of when they imagine heritage luxury. Their paints are rich in pigment and have a distinctive, velvety finish that subtly changes with light throughout the day.

Best for: Classic interiors, period homes, or anyone who loves depth and mood.

Downsides: Premium price tag and slightly longer drying/curing time.

Typical use: Feature wardrobes or alcove units where the finish is part of the statement.

Little Greene

Little Greene offers similar richness but leans slightly more boutique and eco-conscious. Their paints are known for smooth, durable coverage and a stunning matte finish that works beautifully in contemporary spaces.

Best for: Sustainable choices, modern interiors, and projects needing strong coverage.

Downsides: Slightly higher price than mainstream brands; some finishes require specialist rollers for best results.

Typical use: Bespoke home offices and fitted cabinetry where precision and colour depth meet.

Dulux Heritage

Dulux sits in the middle ground — a dependable, widely available brand with a Heritage range that brings some of that classic tone and warmth people love from premium names.

Best for: Solid performance and durability on a realistic budget.

Downsides: Lacks the unique pigment richness and brand prestige of Farrow & Ball or Little Greene.

Typical use: Larger built-in projects where consistent quality and easy touch-ups matter.

Valspar, Johnstone's, Albany etc

Valspar Johnstone's and Albany have built a following for their flexibility. With modern in-store colour matching, you can replicate almost any shade — including Farrow & Ball or Little Greene tones — for less.

Best for: Matching existing décor, bespoke colour requests, and value-driven projects.

Downsides: Finish quality can vary between batches and needs careful prep for best results.

Typical use: Custom wardrobes, alcoves, filing cabinets or bespoke offices that need precise tone matching, especially when adhering to the colour palette of a brand.

Our Fitted Furniture Finishes Recommendation

A newly built custom alcove unit in Purley, London, finished in Farrow & Ball Lichen Dead Flat Matt.

For most bespoke furniture, Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell or Farrow & Ball Estate Eggshell deliver that premium, soft-touch durability that fits our Gold Standard Guarantee. We also love the Dead Flat and Absolute Matt finish for modern luxury fitted furniture. If you’re redecorating a full room or working to a tighter budget, Dulux Heritage or Valspar colour matches can still look superb when professionally applied and finished to our standard.

What to Do Next

If you’re unsure which finish suits your home best and you’d like to explore options, join hundreds of 5-star homeowners and download our free Design Guide for South-West London & Surrey homes — door styles, layouts, budgets, timelines, hardware tips and more such as:

• What really drives cost (with typical ranges)

• Layout ideas for alcoves, wardrobes, and home offices

• Finishes & hardware that last — and how to choose

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Every Swyft Services installation is backed by our Gold Standard Guarantee: 10 years on craftsmanship, 12 months of free adjustments, and a flawless finish.