Purple Colour Schemes

Why Choose Purple?

From lilac hues to aubergine tones, purple colour schemes always add a touch of sophistication to a space. Whether you have a countryside cottage or a traditional townhouse, an industrial apartment or even a houseboat, there’s sure to be a shade to suit your style.

Discover our purple paint colours

If you've ever wondered what it is that makes Farrow & Ball so special, you'll find the answers here. From our high-quality ingredients to our artisanal methods, our 100% water based range of finishes and responsible practices, it's about so much more than just paint and paper.

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Our Signature Purple Paint Colours

We have a plethora of purples in our palette — one for every occasion. Calluna is soft and subtle, perfect for adding a hint of colour to a neutral scheme, while Pelt is deliciously deep and sure to make a statement — especially in Full Gloss.

We carefully craft every colour, including our purples, with a balance of subtle undertones to create depth, character and complexity. This is part of our extraordinary response to light, the way a shade shifts based on its surroundings.

Peignoir
No. 286

No. 286
Calluna
No. 270

No. 270
Brassica
No. 271

No. 271
Pelt
No. 254

No. 254
Paean Black
No. 294

No. 294
Brinjal
No. 222

No. 222
Imperial Purple
No. W40

No. W40
Titmouse Blue
No. W24

No. W24

Sample Our Favourite Purples

The best way to experience our colours before taking the plunge is with a true-to-colour paint sample. To help you narrow down your shortlist of shades, we've curated three of our most popular purple shades to help you find your perfect match.

Sample selection contains 3 x 100ml Sample Pots of our beautiful Brassica, Brinjal and Pelt.

How to Create a Purple Colour Scheme

Choosing colours is half the joy — and half the challenge — of decorating. With such beautiful purples to choose from, it can be quite the task to narrow them down.

You could opt for a tonal scheme, layering several purple shades together. This creates a beautifully relaxed, harmonious feel, which works particularly well in nurseries and bedrooms. Or, if you want to create a more striking scheme, try pairing a deep purple with its complementary white or an accent shade. This makes the purple feel bolder by comparison and adds a sense of luxury and grandeur. It’s an excellent choice for an office, guest bedroom or bathroom.

We’ve asked our experts Joa Studholme and Patrick O’Donnell for three of their favourite purple colour scheme suggestions.

Joa's Purple Schemes

Joa Studholme is a best-selling author, Colour Curator and the mind behind many of our (and the world’s) most iconic paint shades. The original Colour Consultant, it’s no surprise that Joa knows our palette inside and out. You can book Joa to help with your transformation in-home or over video call.

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Scheme 1

Calluna
No. 270

No. 270
Brassica
No. 271

No. 271
Pelt
No. 254

No. 254

Scheme 2

Brinjal
No. 222

No. 222
Peignoir
No. 286

No. 286
Pelt
No. 254

No. 254

Scheme 3

Paean Black
No. 294

No. 294
Preference Red
No. 297

No. 297
Hague Blue
No. 30

No. 30

Patrick's Purple Schemes

Patrick O’Donnell spends his life talking, thinking and playing with colour. Our Brand Ambassador, the face of Farrow & Ball on social media and the host of our podcast, The Chromologist, he’s transformed homes of every shape, style and size. For personal advice from Patrick, you can book a colour consultancy.

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Scheme 1

Strong White
No. 2001

No. 2001
Brassica
No. 271

No. 271
Ammonite
No. 274

No. 274

Scheme 2

Skimming Stone
No. 241

No. 241
Brassica
No. 271

No. 271
Ammonite
No. 274

No. 274

Scheme 3

Kakelugn
No. 317

No. 317
Sap Green
No. 199

No. 199
Brinjal
No. 222

No. 222

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best purple paint colour?

From soft lilac to rich aubergine, purple covers a beautiful array of shades. Traditionally considered the colour of royalty, it’s hard to crown one tone of purple the best. It truly is all personal preference. Our palette ranges from jewel tones to pastel hues, so you browse a few to find your favourite.

What colour goes best with purple paint?

With its connotations of luxury, purple pairs wonderfully with other jewel tones, like emerald green and deep blue, to create an enchanting, opulent feel. Alternatively, try it with neutral colours for a more subtle, sophisticated scheme that suits almost every space. We have suggested colour combinations on our website and colour card to inspire your imagination.

What effect does purple paint have on a room?

The effect of purple on a room depends on the shade you choose. Darker shades create an inviting, elegant atmosphere ideal for relaxing and entertaining. Softer shades have a soothing feel that calms the mind, perfect for studies and bedrooms.

Should I paint my whole room purple?

Deciding whether to embrace purple in its entirety depends on your personal taste. You can either choose to colour drench, using the same shade across every surface in the space, or layer similar tones on the walls, ceiling and woodwork. Both ways of decorating create harmonious spaces without harsh contrasts, which can make a room feel bigger and more open.

How can I choose the right shade of purple?

Sample, sample, sample. Even if you think you’ve found the perfect purple online or on our colour card, you won’t know for sure until you’ve tried it in your space. Colours always look different depending on their surroundings, like your furniture and lighting. So be sure to try a selection of shades at home before you start painting.

How do I make sure I get the best finish with purple paint?

Creating a beautiful finish all starts with your preparation. Make sure to sand, patch and clean the surface you’re painting and then use Primer & Undercoat to create a smooth, easy-to-paint base. It can be tempting to skip these steps, but they are the key to a lasting, colour-rich finish.