During the period abroad when I could only work on a freelance basis, I decided to hone my interior skills by taking up an interior design course. During this time I learned about the 60:30:10 rule and since then, I have never looked back.
I’ve always followed the rule of three when choosing colors, or depicting things, but the 60:30:10 rule helps me understand more about getting the proportions and scale right. It’s not just a passing fad, it’s a philosophy you can apply to your interiors, no matter what colors or Interior design trends is in fashion.
It’s definitely stood the test of time in my home, and it’s a rule I’m still using 20 years later. Here’s how you can apply it when renovating or building a home.
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Using the 60:30:10 rule for color selection
The 60:30:10 rule recommends that you choose three main colors when decorating a room and then give each of these colors a purpose and a percentage of coverage in your plans.
Your main color is naturally assigned 60% series and known as Impressive color. This is the color you choose for your walls or larger items such as flooring and furniture pieces – your sofa and Living room carpet For example colors if you are thinking Living room ideas. In essence it is designed for your backdrop.
This 30% Color, also known as secondary colorFor use in elements like Consider a feature wallWindow coverings or upholstery. It should complement your dominant color, but can equally be used to provide contrast and depth to your scheme.
And finally, the 10% Color selection is where you can often have a little fun with your ideas. it is Accent color Which you can use to add some fun or magic to your interior and can be used in a less permanent way, such as with cushions, artwork or general decor.
But, with anyone Paint trendIt is important not to get too hung up on the exact science of numbers. “Think of it as a framework rather than a formula,” recommends Katerina Tchevitchalova, founder of K’Arte Design. “Use it as a starting point when deciding how color should be distributed across walls, furniture, soft furnishings and accessories.”
RAL
Ral Classic K7 Color Chart
Get inspiration for your 60:30:10 color ratio using this RAL color chart – an easy way to pair colors before you start painting your walls
K’Arte Design is a luxury interior design and art consultancy founded by Katerina Tchevitchalova, specializing in high-end residential and commercial projects. Before starting her practice, Katerina spent five years at Kelly Hoppen Interiors and worked with some of London’s leading design studios.
Choosing your 60:30:10 colors
therefore How do you choose your paint colors? And decide what proportion you will assign to each?
“Look to create visual balance in your design,” says Helen Shaw, director of marketing (international) at Benjamin Moore. “The main color should make up 60% of the scheme, the secondary 30% and the accent 10%.
“An accent color can help break up an overly-contrasting scheme and tie the look together,” she explains. “Rich and dramatic, or dull and interesting, you can look at all kinds of shades to create a balanced design scheme.”
“It’s about creating a sense of visual hierarchy, so a room feels coherent rather than overwhelming,” adds Katerina Tchevitchalova. “One element takes the lead, another supports it, and the final layer adds contrast and interest. When the proportions are right, everything feels intentional, and that last 10% is where the room’s personality really comes in.”
Here are some examples of it in game with 60:30:10 color breakdown explained. It’s not always an exact mathematical equation, but understanding how you can use the rule makes it complete and relevant. interior design plan
1. Using the 60:30:10 rule in the hallway
It is often difficult to distinguish between 60 and 30 colors where darker colors are in play, as shown in Consider the hallway. In this case, while the staircase is a large feature, it is the blue that clearly dominates the space, and around which the scheme is designed. A subtle shot of green as an accent color is also perfectly contextual Hallway flooringPutting the whole scheme together nicely.
2. Double down in bedroom
If you are a fan of color soaking or Color cappingThat doesn’t mean you can’t still follow the 60:30:10 color rule. In fact when using such bold Bedroom color As with red, it’s often wise to have some lighter and contrasting shades to break up the overall look.
Here, red dominates, but is softened by the pale wood tones of the flooring and furniture. It is then complemented with bright yellow bolts Bedside lightingBedding and curtains. A warm and sunny bedroom idea that will work perfectly Loft conversion bedroom with balcony.
3. Use it in a light and airy living room
The proportions in this living room scheme are heavily weighted in favor of two main shades – white and blue. Neutral flooring combines well with white, making it a dominant or 60% color. However, look carefully and you will see signs of accent color in the form of ocher. It’s subtle but enough to make the contrast pop Modern living room with his guess Media wall Both interesting and sophisticated.
60:30:10 Shop for painting tools
Harris
Harris seriously good wall and ceiling decoration kit
Cover your walls with your 60 or 30 colors using this 7 piece roller and paintbrush set.
Frog Tap
Frog Tape Green Multi Surface Painters Masking Tape
Avoid paint bleed between colors by using this multi-surface painter’s tape
Raulde
Raulde 6 Pack Extra Large Plastic Dust Sheets
Protect your floors and furniture with this pack of 6 extra large plastic dust sheets
Helen Shaw is part of the UK division of Benjamin Moore. A color expert and international marketing director, Helen is no stranger to the paint industry and the benefits of color, having previously founded a paint company with her husband, Craig.
Other ways to use the 60:30:10 rule
So 60:30:10 rule applies only to him Paint colors? No, experts say how it can apply to most elements of interior design and decor.
“The 60-30-10 rule isn’t just limited to paint, it can be applied to all elements of a room,” says Helen Shaw. “The main 60% is often your walls and larger, more permanent features, such as flooring or key pieces of furniture.
“30% acts as your accent color – be it chairs, bedding, rugs or window covering such as curtains. From a paint perspective, you can also use it on an accent wall or ceiling, but fabrics and furnishings work just as well to introduce contrast and visual interest without dominating the space,” she explains.
Katerina Tchevitchalova agrees, telling us, “The same principle can be applied to materials, finishes and textures. You can have dominant stone in the kitchen on the worktop and Kitchen islandA secondary architectural element that adds warmth, and a small amount of metal as an accent. Approached that way, it becomes a more versatile and relevant tool for the way designers actually work today.”
FAQs
Does using more than one shade still count as one color?
The jury is out on this one, because personally I’ve always taken the approach that one color can contain different shades. My open plan kitchen, for example, had blue walls and a Navy kitchen When I went inside. Some of the walls were white and the floor was wooden. I added a blue sofa, chairs, cushions and accessories, but not in the same shade. For me this is 60% of my color – even if the blue is lighter or darker in some places.
However, if you’re after a more tonal finish, Helen Shaw suggests that different shades should be considered new colors.
“When you follow the 60-30-10 rule, different shades of the same color are usually treated as second and third colors, as seen in a monochromatic scheme,” she says.
“When a monochromatic palette is built from one base hue, the variations in shades introduce enough contrast to read as separate elements in the space,” continues Helen. “That means a lighter or darker version of your main color can effectively take up 30% of the space instead of being completely grouped in the dominant 60%.
“This approach is a great way to keep the plan consistent while still adding depth and visual interest,” she notes. “By layering shades of the same color, you create subtle contrast and dimension, without introducing a completely different color.”
Is this the only interior design rule I should use?
“I would recommend treating the 60:30:10 rule more as a point of reference rather than a strict rule,” notes Katerina Chevitchalova. “It’s a helpful tool to revisit if a scheme feels a little off, but it’s rarely something designers apply rigorously from the start.
“Interiors today focus on subtle layering rather than clearly defined color blocks,” she continues. “Materials such as wood, stone and natural fabrics already present their own tonal variations, so the balance and flow feel more organic and less rigid and formulaic.
“Layer materials and textures to create depth and warmth, and mix old and new pieces to give the space character and longevity,” recommends Caterina. “It’s the two things together that make a room truly feel, rather than just decorating.”
Looking for ways to adopt the 60:30:10 rule in your home, maybe a new one Kitchen extension? Before finalizing the colors you want to use, take a look at what experts recommend to get the perfect look Kitchen flooring and cabinet color combinations. It can help you ensure that the color balance is optimally balanced in such an important space.
