If you're into modern interior design, you've almost certainly come across Backdrop. The brand changed the paint game with its tightly curated palette of modern, sophisticated colors that just work. No more staring at a wall of a thousand confusing beige swatches - Backdrop makes choosing the right shade simple and stylish.
Their eco-friendly formulas and convenient online shopping experience have made them a go-to for designers and DIYers alike. For those who love Backdrop's design-forward approach, here are 18 similar brands that share that same eye for modern paint aesthetics.
1. Farrow & Ball
Often considered the gold standard in heritage paint, Farrow & Ball offers premium, eco-friendly paints known for their incredibly rich, complex, and muted colors. Their signature chalky matte finish gives walls a depth and softness that photography rarely captures. Priced around $120-$145 per gallon, it's a splurge, but one that designers and homeowners swear by for creating timeless, sophisticated interiors.
While Backdrop feels very current and of-the-moment LA, Farrow & Ball has a more traditional, English countryside feel. Both offer exceptionally curated palettes, but Farrow & Ball leans into historic inspiration for a cozy, classic look.
Shop now at farrow-ball.com
2. Clare
Clare is perhaps the closest spiritual competitor to Backdrop. Founded by interior designer Nicole Gibbons, the brand aims to simplify the paint shopping experience with a curated offering of designer-picked colors. Their paints are Zero VOC, Greenguard Gold certified, and come in stylish, easy-to-use packaging, including mess-free peel-and-stick swatches.
With interior paints priced around $75 per gallon, Clare sits in a similar premium-but-accessible category. If you love Backdrop’s modern sensibility and streamlined experience, Clare's thoughtful palette of clean, timeless hues is a perfect alternative.
Shop now at clare.com
3. Sherwin-Williams
A powerhouse in the paint industry, Sherwin-Williams is a trusted choice for both pros and homeowners. While they have thousands of colors, their curated collections and annual "Color of the Year" showcase their deep understanding of modern trends. Quality product lines like Emerald and Harmony offer excellent durability and eco-friendly, low- or zero-VOC formulations.
Prices typically range from $60 to $90 per gallon, putting their premium lines in a similar range to Backdrop. While Sherwin-Williams has a more traditional corporate feel, their color forecasting is top-notch, offering endless options for achieving a chic, contemporary aesthetic.
Shop now at sherwin-williams.com
4. Benjamin Moore
Benjamin Moore is another industry giant, beloved by interior designers for its incredible color richness and professional-grade performance. Collections like Aura and Natura are premium, zero-VOC options that deliver a beautiful, durable finish perfect for modern spaces. Their color catalog is immense, but yearly trend palettes help narrow down the choices.
Often priced from $60 to $85 per gallon, Benjamin Moore is a direct competitor in terms of quality and cost. While they lack the boutique DTC feel of Backdrop, their unparalleled reputation for color integrity makes them a solid choice for anyone seeking a sophisticated and lasting look.
Shop now at benjaminmoore.com
5. Behr
Available exclusively at The Home Depot, Behr makes achieving a modern look incredibly accessible. Their massive selection includes trendy neutrals, moody bolds, and everything in between. Premium lines like Marquee and Dynasty are known for their one-coat coverage and durability, offering high performance at a budget-friendly price point.
Ranging from $30 to $50 per gallon, Behr is significantly more affordable than Backdrop. It's a great choice if you're looking for modern colors but need a more versatile and widely available option for a larger project or a tighter budget.
Shop now at behr.com
6. The Real Milk Paint Co.
For a unique, natural aesthetic, The Real Milk Paint Co. offers a completely different kind of paint. Made from purified milk protein, lime, and pigments, this non-toxic, zero-VOC paint creates a velvety, slightly mottled matte finish that’s perfect for rustic-modern, wabi-sabi, or character-filled interiors. It's sold as a powder you mix yourself, adding to the artisanal feel.
It's an affordable option, typically priced around $35 to $70 per gallon. While Backdrop is about clean, solid color, Milk Paint is about texture and organic softness. It's a fantastic choice if you want an eco-friendly paint that brings a sense of history and depth to walls and furniture.
Shop now at realmilkpaint.com
7. Little Greene
Like its UK counterpart Farrow & Ball, Little Greene creates sophisticated, environmentally friendly paints with an emphasis on historic accuracy and complex pigmentation. Their colors are produced with exceptional ingredients, leading to deep, nuanced shades that shift beautifully in different lights. Their finishes range from a super-flat Absolute Matt to an elegant eggshell.
This is a premium-priced paint, comparable to Farrow & Ball. Little Greene shares Backdrop’s commitment to eco-consciousness but channels it into a more refined, heritage-inspired aesthetic. It's ideal for creating grown-up, elegant spaces with a quiet sense of luxury.
Shop now at littlegreene.com
8. Portola Paints
If you're drawn to Backdrop's LA-cool vibe but crave more texture, meet Portola Paints. This LA-based company is renowned for its hand-blended paints and specialty finishes like Roman Clay and limewash, which deliver a stunning, plaster-like effect full of movement and character. Their color palette feels modern, earthy, and distinctly Californian.
Portola operates at a premium price point, reflecting the artisanal quality and unique materials. Where Backdrop offers a perfect flat finish, Portola is for those who want their walls to be a textural art piece - perfect for fans of minimalist, organic-modern, and Mediterranean-inspired interiors.
Shop now at portolapaints.com
9. Bauwerk Colour
For the truest limewash enthusiasts, Bauwerk Colour is a must-know. They specialize in natural, breathable limewash paint made with clay and mineral pigments. This creates a soft, chalky finish with subtle tonal variations that add immediate warmth and depth to a room. Their palette is earthy, muted, and perfectly suited to minimalist designs.
Their product is eco-friendly and has a unique aesthetic that separates it from standard latex paints. Compared to Backdrop's uniform colors, Bauwerk is about creating a living finish that interacts with light. It’s the top choice for achieving that serene, European farmhouse or modern wabi-sabi look.
Shop now at bauwerkcolour.com
10. Fine Paints of Europe
For the ultimate in luxury and durability, Fine Paints of Europe offers ultra-premium paints crafted in the Netherlands. They are famous for their incredibly tough, flawless finishes, particularly their mirror-like Hollandlac Brilliant high-gloss. Their palettes stick to classic, time-tested colors that exude sophistication.
This is one of the most expensive paint brands on the market, starting around $150 per gallon. While Backdrop focuses on modern trends and matte finishes, Fine Paints of Europe is about unparalleled Old World craftsmanship and creating a high-end, long-lasting look that feels entirely custom.
Shop now at finepaintsofeurope.com
11. Porter’s Paints
Originating in Australia, Porter’s Paints focuses on creating artisanal, handcrafted paints with a strong emphasis on rich color and unique textures. They offer a range of products from classic low-sheen acrylics to specialty finishes like limewash, metallic paints, and even a liquid iron that rusts for an industrial effect. Their colors feel deep and considered.
The price point is in the premium category, around $90-$120 per gallon. Porter’s shares Backdrop’s love for a quality aesthetic but expands the possibilities with a wider array of specialty textures for design-savvy clients looking for something truly unique.
Shop now at porterspaints.com
12. Colorhouse
Colorhouse provides high-quality, eco-friendly, zero-VOC paints with a color palette inspired by the nuances of nature. Their palettes are thoughtfully organized into categories like "Air," "Earth," and "Water," making it intuitive to find harmonious colors. They strive for a balance between artisan color theory and non-toxic safety for the home.
Priced around $70 per gallon, Colorhouse is a strong alternative to Backdrop for those who prioritize sustainability and a calm, nature-inspired modern aesthetic. Their hues are warm, inviting, and designed to create serene environments.
Shop now at colorhousepaint.com
13. Ecos Paints
Ecos Paints takes health and sustainability to the next level. Their water-based paints are non-toxic, zero-VOC, and odor-free, making them ideal for anyone with chemical sensitivities, allergies, or concerns about air quality. Beyond their unparalleled eco-credentials, they offer a vast range of colors that can be matched to any major brand.
They operate at a mid-to-high price point. While Backdrop puts its modern aesthetic front-and-center, Ecos leads with being the healthiest paint you can buy. It's a fantastic choice for nurseries, bedrooms, or any space where air quality is a top priority, without compromising on color choice.
Shop now at eco-spec.co
14. Dunn-Edwards
A favorite among designers and painting contractors, especially on the West Coast, Dunn-Edwards is known for its legendary performance and commitment to color science. They offer a wide range of products including many low and zero-VOC options. Their color system is precise, and their curated "Color and Design Trends" palettes are a great source of modern inspiration.
Price-wise, they are comparable to Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore. Dunn-Edwards has a more professional, trade-focused reputation than Backdrop, but their commitment to quality and vast selection of modern shades make them a powerhouse for achieving a polished look.
Shop now at dunnedwards.com
15. Valspar
Another hugely popular brand available at Lowe's, Valspar offers a modern aesthetic at a very accessible price point. Through partnerships with designers and trend forecasters, Valspar curates yearly palettes that make stylish colors easy to find. Their Reserve and Signature lines deliver impressive performance and durability for the cost.
Comparable in price to Behr, Valspar is a great budget-friendly Backdrop alternative. You'll have many more colors to sift through, but if you have a clear vision, you can absolutely achieve a high-end, modern look at a fraction of the price.
Shop now at valspar.com
16. Hempitecture
Hempitecture stands out for its deep commitment to natural building materials. While primarily known for Hempcrete insulation, they offer natural, hemp-based paints and plaster finishes that are perfect for sustainable, modern homes. Their paints are breathable, non-toxic, and offer subtle, earthy textures.
These are specialty products with premium pricing. Their aesthetic is ideal for anyone focused on organic materials and holistic, healthy home design. Compared to Backdrop's polished modernity, Hempitecture offers an eco-luxe feel that is deeply connected to nature.
Shop now at hempitecture.com
17. Graham & Brown
Though famous for their wallpaper, Graham & Brown has a curated collection of beautiful interior paints designed to perfectly coordinate with their patterns or stand strong on their own. Their palette feels both contemporary and timeless, with a range of sophisticated neutrals and rich, moody hues offered in durable matte and eggshell finishes.
Pricing is mid-range, making it accessible for those looking for a designer touch. Graham & Brown’s expertise in coordinating color and pattern gives them a unique edge, much like how Backdrop nails its specific visual identity. It's a great one-stop shop for creating a cohesive, character-filled room.
Shop now at grahambrown.com
18. Paint & Paper Library
Paint & Paper Library is a high-end UK brand that appeals to architects and designers with its exceptionally well-considered color palette. Their colors are divided into "Architectural Colours" - a nuanced range of hues graded by strength to create a subtle flow through a space - and "Original Colours," which are more statement heritage tones.
This is a premium brand with pricing to match. The focus is on architectural integrity, it isn’t just about putting a pretty color on a wall, but about using tone and shade to enhance the structure of the space itself. It’s an intellectual approach to color that fans of Backdrop's thoughtful curation will appreciate.
Shop now at paintandpaperlibrary.com
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