Setting for Four

  • About ↓
    • Welcome to Setting for Four!
    • My Story
    • Contact
    • Privacy, Disclosure & Photo Usage Policies
  • Collaborate
  • Online Design Services & Color Advice
  • Hot Sales
  • Shop My IG
  • Shop My Home↓
    • Front Porch
    • Living Room
  • Planners & Printables
  • Gift Guides
  • Home Tour ↓
    • My Home Tour
    • Seasonal & Holiday Home Tours
  • Paint Colors In My Home
  • Decor & Design Tips
  • DIY Projects ↓
    • Seasonal ↓
      • Spring
      • Fall
      • Summer
      • Winter
    • Holidays ↓
      • New Year’s Eve
      • Christmas
      • Valentine’s Day
      • St. Patrick’s Day
      • Easter
      • Mother’s Day
      • Father’s Day
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • DIY Tutorials
    • Gardening
    • Organizing & Storage
    • Paint Projects
    • Printables
    • Crafts
    • Kids Crafts
  • Recipes ↓
    • Recipes
    • Free Recipe eBook
  • Blogging Resources

Design Tip // The 60-30-10 Color Rule

by heather 19 Comments

1013shares
  • 13
  • 87

A visually appealing, well ‘designed’ room is based on harmony and balance of color. A design ‘rule of thumb’ to create a space that flows is to use the 60-30-10 color rule.  This combination of colors creates rooms that are cohesive and visually interesting.

So how does the 60-30-10 rule work? 60% of a room can be filled with a dominant colour, 30% with a secondary colour, and 10% with one or two accent colours.

 Design Tip 60-30-10 Color Rule from Setting for Four

Why three colors? Because too many colors in a room will create a visually ‘loud’ space. Remember, we are trying to find harmony and balance!

In a room this usually achieved by:
60% of the room’s color (dominant color) will be on the walls.
30% of the room’s color (secondary color) will be in the rugs, furniture, textiles and upholstery.
10% of the room’s color (accent color) will be in the artwork, photo frames other decor accessories.

So let’s put this into practice using a beautiful rug for your living room as inspiration: the Ayla Rug from Restoration Hardware in Grey.

prod690485_F12-v

1) Start by choosing your wall color: this will be your dominant color, 60% of your room.

Let’s choose the light grey color in the rug for the wall color:  This paint color Stone 

Restoration Hardware Paint Color Stone

2) Next choose a secondary color which will make up 30% of the room. Let’s use the dark charcoal grey color that’s in the rug! Use this color for your living room sofa:

f12_172_kensignton_uph_lr

Restoration Hardware

3) The last color choice is the accent color which will make up 10% of the room.  Let’s choose the gorgeous blue color in the rug for pillows and accessories!

Restoration Hardware Pillow

Restoration Hardware Pillow

traditional-accessories-and-decor

Agate bookends

That’s the 60-30-10 living room color plan! 60 % light grey, 30 % charcoal grey, 10 % blue.  Of course you could apply this to other color combinations too!

What do you think of this design ‘rule of thumb’?  Do you find it helpful?

** You can also check out my Design Tip: How to Pick the Perfect Chandelier Size and Printable Size Guide **

How to pick the Perfect Chandelier Size with Printable Size Chart from Setting for Four_thumb[3]

~ ~ ~ ~

Check out these other interesting decor articles!

Sherwin Williams Oceanside: Color Of The Year 2018

The Best Transitional Glam Living Room Pieces

Blueprint Paint Color By Behr – Color Of The Year 2019

GET THE FREE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATING!

Design secrets to create spaces you'll love!
By signing up, you agree to receive Setting for Four e-mails. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Although I'd hate to see you go, you may unsubscribe at any time. Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.

Related Posts

  • Christmas Entryway Decor IdeasChristmas Entryway Decor Ideas
  • 7 Car Cleaning Tips To Prevent The Flu7 Car Cleaning Tips To Prevent The Flu
  • Affordable 3 Piece Conversation Set Ideas For The Patio, Porch & DeckAffordable 3 Piece Conversation Set Ideas For The Patio, Porch & Deck
  • Hazelnut, Cashew and Pecan Bread Pudding with Caramel SauceHazelnut, Cashew and Pecan Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce
1013shares
  • 13
  • 87

Filed Under: Color Pallette, Decor, Design Tips

heatherHeather is a Designer and the owner of the Interior Design and Lifestyle website SettingforFour.com Heather offers online EDesign services Instagram and family friendly, elegant interiors.

 

 

Comments

  1. Sharon @ mrshinesclass says

    October 23, 2013 at 2:30 pm

    Good to know!

    Reply
    • Heather SettingforFour says

      October 23, 2013 at 3:55 pm

      Thanks Sharon – I’m glad you find this helpful!

      Reply
  2. Rosa @ Flutter Flutter says

    October 23, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    I’ve never heard this before, good info! I’m going to use this. 🙂

    Reply
    • Heather SettingforFour says

      October 23, 2013 at 6:17 pm

      Oh great!! I’m so glad you like this post Rosa! Have a wonderful day!

      Reply
  3. Wendi Wachtel says

    October 23, 2013 at 5:56 pm

    Heather- Thanks for the really useful information! That’s the first time I’ve read it but now I’ll be conscious of the guideline when I’m pulling my own rooms together.

    Reply
    • Heather SettingforFour says

      October 23, 2013 at 6:17 pm

      You’re welcome Wendi! I’m glad you find it useful like I do!

      Reply
  4. Donnamae says

    October 23, 2013 at 10:19 pm

    I’ve never heard this before. Next time I redecorate, I’ll have to keep this in mind! 😉

    Reply
  5. Heidi @ Decor & More says

    October 24, 2013 at 10:25 am

    Great post, Heather! A tip that’s easy to remember, too. 🙂
    Heidi

    Reply
    • Heather SettingforFour says

      October 24, 2013 at 4:32 pm

      Thanks Heidi – I’m glad you enjoyed this tip!

      Reply
  6. Kayla Janachovsky says

    October 28, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    Such good tips! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Heather SettingforFour says

      October 28, 2013 at 11:36 pm

      I’m glad you enjoyed these design tips Kayla! I linked up to your party – fun!

      Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    October 30, 2013 at 1:14 am

    Fantastic tip Heather!! Thanks so much for linking up to Monday Funday!!

    Reply
  8. Inspire Me Heather says

    October 31, 2013 at 11:47 am

    Great tips Heather! I know when I get “stumped” on a space I go back and apply that 60-30-10 rule – works every time! Thanks for sharing!!

    Reply
    • Heather SettingforFour says

      October 31, 2013 at 6:08 pm

      Thanks Heather – so glad you use and love this tip too!

      Reply
  9. Daniela Duriavig says

    November 2, 2013 at 5:17 am

    This makes so much sense. I think I often do this subconsciously, but without awareness. Great to know.

    Reply
  10. Tiainspace says

    November 4, 2013 at 1:06 pm

    A great rule! It’s a good reminder when buying things like rugs. I’m always tied up trying to figure out what colour it should be… but the colours are already in the room!! (wall colour, furniture colour, accent colour).

    Reply
  11. Good Time Charlie says

    November 4, 2013 at 3:40 pm

    Love this! Right in the middle of decorating our front room. We have a similar wall color and rug. Very helpful in guiding me on which 10% color I want to bring in. Maybe I will make a departure from my usual red this time.

    Reply
    • Heather SettingforFour says

      November 4, 2013 at 10:46 pm

      Oh great – I’m so glad you found my post helpful! Have fun decorating your room!

      Reply
  12. Yvonne @ StoneGable says

    December 20, 2013 at 4:03 am

    I wish I knew this rule before I started redecorating my rooms! Great tip! One I will remember as I keep working on my home!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Hello! I'm Heather - Designer and Influencer at SettingforFour.com! Join me in my DIY, Design and Lifestyle Adventures!
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • StumbleUpon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

HIRE ME FOR ONLINE DESIGN!

online interior design and paint color services

SEE THE LIVING ROOM I DESIGNED IN 36 HOURS!

Living Room Design Ideas and a $10,000 giveaway! www.settingforfour.com

GET YOUR HOME RENOVATION & REMODEL PLANNER!

GET YOUR HOME RENOVATION & REMODEL PLANNER!

Setting for Four is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means to sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

© 2011-2021 · Heather Luckhurst and Setting for Four · Log in
See my Photo Usage Policy here. ALL images and tutorials on this blog are my copyrighted material and intellectual property. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and owner is strictly prohibited. Absolutely no text or tutorials can be replicated. Copying my recipes is not allowed. To request authorization for use of my copyright material, photos, media (video or audio files), tutorials, or ideas contact me via email: settingforfour (@) gmail (dot) com | Privacy Policy
GET THE FREE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO INTERIOR DESIGN & DECORATING!

Design secrets to create spaces you'll love!
By signing up, you agree to receive Setting for Four e-mails. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Although I'd hate to see you go, you may unsubscribe at any time. Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
Get FREE Decor Tips & Home Inspiration!
and receive my FREE Decorating Guide:
A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO INTERIOR DESIGN AND DECORATING!!

By signing up, you agree to receive Setting for Four e-mails. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Although I'd hate to see you go, you may unsubscribe at any time. Your information will never be shared or sold to a 3rd party.
  • 13 Facebook
  • 87 Twitter
  • Pinterest