One of the most practical questions before any decorating project is: how much paint do I actually need? Farrow & Ball paints have a slightly different coverage rate to standard trade paints — here's how to calculate exactly what to order.
Coverage Rates by Finish
Farrow & Ball paints are highly pigmented, which means they can behave differently to cheaper alternatives. As a general guide:
- Estate & Modern Emulsion (2.5L) — covers approximately 30–35m² per coat on a smooth surface.
- Estate & Modern Emulsion (5L) — covers approximately 60–70m² per coat.
- Estate & Modern Eggshell (750ml) — covers approximately 12–15m² per coat.
- Full Gloss (750ml) — covers approximately 12–15m² per coat.
Note: Coverage will be lower on porous, textured, or previously unpainted surfaces.
How to Calculate Your Room
Follow these steps to work out how much paint you need:
- Measure your walls. Calculate the total wall area: (width + width + length + length) × height. For example, a 4m × 5m room with 2.4m ceilings = (4+4+5+5) × 2.4 = 43.2m².
- Subtract doors and windows. A standard door is roughly 1.8m²; a standard window is roughly 1.5m². Deduct these from your total.
- Divide by coverage rate. Divide your adjusted wall area by the coverage rate of your chosen finish.
- Multiply by number of coats. Most Farrow & Ball colours require two coats for full coverage. Some deep or dark shades may need three.
- Add 10% for waste. Always order a little extra to account for touch-ups and future repairs.
A Worked Example
Room: 4m × 5m, 2.4m ceiling height, two doors, one window.
Total wall area: 43.2m² − 3.6m² (doors & window) = 39.6m²
Two coats: 39.6 × 2 = 79.2m² of coverage needed
Using 5L Estate Emulsion (65m² per tin): 79.2 ÷ 65 = 1.22 tins → order 2 × 5L tins
Don't Forget the Woodwork
Skirting boards, architraves, and doors are often overlooked. As a rough guide, allow one 750ml tin of Eggshell per average room for woodwork.
Order Your Farrow & Ball Paint
Ready to order? Browse our full Farrow & Ball range and get in touch if you'd like help calculating quantities for a larger project.