Acquisitions and Dispositions (Summary of Purchase Price Allocations) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Nov. 05, 2014	Apr. 02, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 3,801	$ 3,008	$ 2,761
Total purchase price including cash in escrow and contingent payments	189	36	288
Comex acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets				379
Property, plant, and equipment				312
Trademarks with indefinite lives				1,022
Identifiable intangible assets				280
Goodwill				1,086
Other non-current assets				32
Total assets				3,111
Current liabilities				(357)
Non-current deferred tax liabilities				(449)
Long-term debt				(280)
Accrued pensions				(20)
Other long-term liabilities				(29)
Total liabilities				(1,135)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired				1,976
AkzoNobel NA Architectural coatings acquisition
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets					558
Property, plant, and equipment					184
Trademarks with indefinite lives					174
Identifiable intangible assets					196
Goodwill					225
Other non-current assets					49
Total assets					1,386
Current liabilities					(326)
Accrued pensions					(29)
Other post-retirement benefits					(40)
Other long-term liabilities					(44)
Total liabilities					(439)
Total purchase price, net of cash acquired					$ 947