Dead Flat is Farrow & Ball's most matt finish: a 2% sheen paint that stays completely flat from every angle, yet is washable and scuff resistant. Unusually for such a matt paint, it can be used on walls, woodwork and metal, which makes it a favourite for colour drenching and for anyone who wants the whole room in one soft, non-reflective finish.
Very matt paints have traditionally been delicate. They look beautiful, but marks are hard to remove and they belong in quiet rooms. Dead Flat was designed to change that. Farrow & Ball describe it as having "added toughness", and say the colour will not transfer or mark when it is wiped.
Here is what it is, how it differs from Farrow & Ball's other emulsions, and where it earns its place.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Setting Plaster (231)
What makes Dead Flat different
Sheen is a measure of how much light a surface reflects. At 2%, Dead Flat sits at the very bottom of the scale, and Farrow & Ball say it holds that ultra-matt look even when you view the wall at a wide angle, where many matt paints start to show a faint shine.
What sets it apart is the combination of that flatness with durability. According to Farrow & Ball, Dead Flat is:
- Washable and scuff resistant, with colour that does not transfer when wiped.
- Protected against mould, so it is suitable for moisture-prone kitchens and bathrooms.
- Multi-surface, for interior walls, woodwork and metal, including radiators.
- Water-based, low odour and toy safe, with trace VOCs.
Dead Flat, Estate Emulsion or Modern Emulsion?
Farrow & Ball now offer three matt emulsions for walls, and each has its place.
- Estate Emulsion (2% sheen). The classic chalky Farrow & Ball finish, with a soft depth of colour. Best in low-traffic rooms such as bedrooms and sitting rooms.
- Modern Emulsion (7% sheen). Washable, wipeable and mould protected, with a touch more sheen. A practical choice for kitchens, bathrooms and hallways.
- Dead Flat (2% sheen). As flat as Estate Emulsion and tough enough for busy rooms, with the added ability to cover woodwork and metal.
If you want the chalky Farrow & Ball look in a hallway, a playroom or a kitchen, Dead Flat is the one that bridges the gap.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colour Used: Red Earth (64)
Where to use Dead Flat
- Colour drenching. Walls, skirting, doors, radiators and even the ceiling in one colour and one finish, for a seamless, enveloping room. Our article on why colour drenching works explains the effect.
- Busy rooms. Farrow & Ball recommend it for hallways, living rooms, playrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
- Radiators and metal. Painting a radiator the wall colour in Dead Flat lets it disappear into the wall.
- Uneven or older walls. The less a surface reflects, the less it shows the lumps and bumps beneath it.
Where you need a more wipeable woodwork finish, such as a kitchen cabinet or a much-used banister, Farrow & Ball's Flat Eggshell (20% sheen) or Modern Eggshell (40% sheen) is still the more practical choice.
Practical details
- Drying: Farrow & Ball give a drying time of 2 hours and a recoat time of 4 hours.
- Coverage: up to 12 square metres per litre, per coat.
- Tin sizes: 750ml, 2.5 litres and 5 litres.
- Preparation: as with any paint, the surface should be clean, dry and sound. Farrow & Ball's primers and undercoats are matched to each surface and tone, and their product advice sheets set out which to use.
Photo Credit: Farrow & Ball; Colours Used: Naperon (315), Kakelugn (317)
Questions we are often asked
Is Dead Flat washable?
Yes. Farrow & Ball describe it as washable and scuff resistant, and say the colour will not transfer or mark when wiped.
Can I use Dead Flat on skirting and doors?
Yes, it is designed for interior woodwork and metal as well as walls. For the heaviest wear, an eggshell is tougher still.
Can I use Dead Flat in a bathroom?
Yes. Farrow & Ball say it is protected against mould and suitable for moisture-prone rooms, including kitchens and bathrooms. Good ventilation still helps any paint last longer. Order a sample pot first to be sure of the colour.
