Balancing Room Colors: The 60-30-10 Design Rule

Designing with color is as simple as 60-30-10. Don’t take our word for it!

Just look at any award-winning design; 9 times out of 10 the design will be divided into these percentages.

This tried and true design rule will make your color choices so easy that you’ll wonder why everyone else doesn’t follow it.

Here’s how to use the 60-30-10 rule

60% Is the dominant color that anchors the space and serve

as a backdrop for other items. Most likely the 60% in a family

room would be the walls and ceiling, large accent pieces such

as a sectional and area rug. (White walls in above photo for example)

30% Is the secondary color and you’ll be using half as much

of this color, as the dominate color. The secondary color

supports the dominate color, but is different enough to set

them apart and provide visual interest in the room. Most likely

the 30% can be window coverings, painted furniture, flooring,

accent chairs and bed linens. (Yellow furniture in above photo for example)

10% Is the accent color. This is the fun part, that gives the  

room its personality. An accent color can be pulled from other

items in the rooms. Such as printed fabrics, rugs or artwork.

(Rugs, lighting fixtures, framed photos etc. in above photo for example)

For a living room, it can be throw pillows, decorative accessories, plants and artwork. For a bedroom, it can be accent pillows on the bed, a table lamp on a night stand and plants.

By Denise Turner, ASID,CID CMG

ColorTurners.com