How do you apply the 60-30-10 rule in interior design?

1 What is the 60-30-10 rule?

The 60-30-10 rule is a guideline that suggests that you should use three colors in a room, and assign them different percentages of the space. The dominant color should cover 60% of the room, the secondary color should cover 30%, and the accent color should cover 10%. The dominant color is usually a neutral or muted tone that sets the overall mood and background of the room. The secondary color is a contrasting or complementary tone that adds interest and variety to the room. The accent color is a bright or bold tone that pops out and creates focal points and highlights in the room.

2 How to apply the 60-30-10 rule?

To apply the 60-30-10 rule, you need to first choose your color palette. You can use a color wheel, a mood board, or an inspiration image to help you decide on the colors that suit your style and personality. You can also consider the function, size, and lighting of the room, as well as the existing furniture and accessories. Once you have your three colors, you need to distribute them according to the rule. The dominant color should cover the walls, the floor, and the large furniture pieces. The secondary color should cover the curtains, the rugs, the smaller furniture pieces, and some of the accessories. The accent color should cover the cushions, the lamps, the artwork, and some of the smaller accessories.

3 How to adapt the 60-30-10 rule?

The 60-30-10 rule is not a rigid formula, but a flexible guideline that you can adapt to your own taste and creativity. You can play with different shades, tints, and tones of the same color to create a monochromatic scheme. You can use more than three colors, as long as you keep the same proportion and balance. You can also use patterns, textures, and materials to add more depth and dimension to your color scheme. The most important thing is to create a cohesive and comfortable space that reflects your personality and style.

4 How to avoid common mistakes?

The 60-30-10 rule is a great way to use colors in interior design, but it can also go wrong if you don't take precautions. To avoid mistakes, make sure to stick to a harmonious color scheme that follows the principles of color theory. Additionally, the accent color should be used sparingly and strategically to create interest and contrast without overwhelming or underwhelming the room. It's also important to consider the lighting and mood of the room, as the colors should match both natural and artificial light sources, as well as the function and atmosphere of the room. Lastly, don't forget to have fun and experiment! The 60-30-10 rule is a tool to help you, not to limit you; if you don't like the result, you can always change or tweak your colors.

5 How to get inspired by examples?

One of the best ways to learn how to apply the 60-30-10 rule in interior design is to look at some examples of how other designers and homeowners have used it. You can browse online galleries, magazines, blogs, or social media platforms to find photos of rooms that follow the rule. You can also visit showrooms, model homes, or open houses to see how the rule works in real life. You can analyze how the colors are distributed, how they contrast or complement each other, how they create a mood and a style, and how they reflect the personality and preferences of the owner. You can also get inspired by different themes, genres, cultures, or eras that use the rule in different ways.

6 How to get started with the 60-30-10 rule?

Now that you are familiar with the 60-30-10 rule, how to apply it, how to modify it, and how to avoid common mistakes, you can begin your own interior design project. To use the rule in your room, start by selecting a color palette based on your style, personality, function, size, and lighting of the room. Then, distribute the colors in accordance with the rule: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary color, and 10% accent color. To add more depth and dimension to your color scheme, try different shades, tints, tones, patterns, textures and materials. Finally, experiment and enjoy yourself until you create a harmonious and balanced result.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?