---
title: "Farrow & Ball: Which paint for which surface?"
description: With this overview you can easily find out which Farrow & Ball product is the right one for your surface or application.
---

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3. [Paint selection: Which paint for which surface](https://support.meinewand.com/en/paints?hsLang=en#paint-selection-which-paint-for-which-surface)

# Farrow & Ball: Which paint for which surface?

## With this overview you can easily find out which Farrow & Ball product is the right one for your surface or application.

Farrow & Ball offers the right product for every surface – from ultra-matt wall paint to high-gloss finishes. Which one suits you depends on the surface, how much wear it will get and the sheen level you would like.

**3 steps to the right product:**

1. **Identify the surface.** Are you painting walls and ceilings, interior wood and metal, exterior surfaces or a floor?
2. **Assess the wear.** Living rooms and bedrooms see less wear than hallways, kitchens, bathrooms or children's rooms. Furniture, doors and floors take more wear than walls.
3. **Choose the sheen level.** The lower the sheen level, the more matt and velvety the surface looks. On wood and metal, finishes with a higher sheen level are generally more durable.

**Interior paints: walls and ceilings**

**[Estate Emulsion](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/estate-emulsion)**

- Very matt and extremely colour-intensive Farrow & Ball classic
- Suitable for walls and ceilings with the typical Farrow & Ball look
- Sheen level 2%

**[Dead Flat](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/dead-flat)**

- Ultra-matt, wipeable and scrubbable paint (wet scrub class 1)
- Suitable for walls and ceilings in every room of the home – **now also in kitchens and bathrooms**
- Contains a mould-resistant ingredient
- Also for interior wood and metal: walls, doors, skirting boards and radiators can be painted with one product in the same colour
- Sheen level 2%

**[Modern Emulsion](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/modern-emulsion)**

- Wipeable and scrubbable paint with a subtle sheen
- Mould and water resistant
- Suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, hallways and other high-traffic areas
- The right choice if you would like a slightly shinier finish than Dead Flat
- Sheen level 7%

**[Casein Distemper](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/casein-distemper)**

- Reinforced traditional distemper with added casein
- Very matt
- Highly breathable
- Particularly suitable for clay plasters and historic buildings
- Sheen level 2%

**Finishes for interior wood and metal**

**[Flat Eggshell](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/flat-eggshell)**

- Low-sheen, hard-wearing finish
- Suitable for radiators, doors, furniture and wood and metal surfaces
- Sheen level 20%

**[Dead Flat](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/dead-flat)**

- Ultra-matt finish for wood and metal, e.g. doors, skirting boards, radiators and furniture
- Less durable than Flat Eggshell, Modern Eggshell or Full Gloss: on furniture, everyday use creates a patina over time (worn look)
- Sheen level 2%

**[Full Gloss](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/full-gloss)**

- Extremely durable and versatile high-gloss finish
- Sheen level 95%

**Finishes for exterior wood and metal**

**[Full Gloss](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/full-gloss)**

- Extremely durable and versatile high-gloss finish
- Sheen level 95%

**[Exterior Eggshell](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/exterior-eggshell)**

- Very durable satin finish
- Suitable for windows, cladding or garden furniture
- Sheen level 20%

**Floors, stairs, kitchen and bathroom cabinets**

**[Modern Eggshell](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/modern-eggshell)**

- Very hard-wearing
- Suitable for wooden and concrete floors, stairs, kitchen cabinets and bathroom cabinets
- Sheen level 40%

Flat Eggshell (20%) and Full Gloss (95%) are also suitable for kitchen and bathroom cabinets – depending on the sheen level you prefer.

**Masonry paint**

**[Exterior Masonry](https://www.meinewand.com/en/paint/farrow-and-ball/exterior-masonry)**

- Extremely durable
- Suitable for exterior render and masonry

**Summary & FAQ**

**Can I use Dead Flat in kitchens and bathrooms?**  
Yes. Since October 2026, Farrow & Ball has also recommended Dead Flat for walls and ceilings in kitchens and bathrooms. Extensive real-life testing has shown that it performs reliably under the conditions found in domestic kitchens and bathrooms.

**Has the formula changed? Does this also apply to the Dead Flat I already have at home?**  
The formula is unchanged. The new recommendation is based on additional performance evidence, so it also applies to Dead Flat you have already bought.

**Dead Flat or Modern Emulsion – which should I use for kitchens and bathrooms?**  
Both are suitable and, according to Farrow & Ball, equally durable. The difference is the look: Dead Flat is ultra-matt (2% sheen), Modern Emulsion has a subtle sheen (7%).

**Can I use Dead Flat in the shower?**  
No. Surfaces that regularly get directly wet, such as in a shower, are not suitable for wall paint. To find out how to paint over tiles, see [Can I paint tiles?](https://support.meinewand.com/en/can-i-paint-tiles?hsLang=en)

**Can I use Dead Flat on furniture?**  
Yes. On interior furniture, Dead Flat gives a particularly velvety, ultra-matt finish. Our practical experience: Dead Flat is less hard-wearing than a finish with a higher sheen level. Signs of wear appear fairly quickly on edges and handles. If you like a worn look or shabby chic, this is an attractive effect. If the piece should look new for a long time, choose Flat Eggshell, Modern Eggshell or Full Gloss.

**And for kitchen and bathroom cabinets or floors?**  
For these, we recommend the particularly durable finishes Flat Eggshell, Modern Eggshell or Full Gloss. Dead Flat is not suitable for kitchen and bathroom cabinets or for floors.

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