Last updated on August 10th, 2022
The Internet is flooded with articles on the use of color in home decor. You will also find tons of images to go with them – some subtle and some temptingly contrasting and vibrant. And if you are adventurous, you too can step out of your comfort zone and try these vibrant shades on your walls. However, while you can see the bold elegance of brightly colored walls in the images, getting them right is tricky.
That’s where the 60-30-10 rule comes in handy. The 60-30-10 rule is a great way to get the balance of colors right and take your home decor up by several notches. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.
What is the 60-30-10 rule?
The 60 in the 60-30-10 rule represents the primary color in your room. It means the main color will take up 60% of the space and act as an anchor for the next color representing the 30% on your palette.
The remaining 10% will be the accents: cushions, lamps, or rugs.
Why give your room a 100% when you can easily give it 110%?
No, we are not bad at math and definitely great at giving home decoration tips. So, instead of restricting yourself to one accent color, throw in two. Giving your room 110% means once you have picked your 60% primary shade and 30% secondary shade, you can go for two 10% accent colors, making the total 110%!
A play of monochromes
Monochromes are shades of the same basic color. Say you have chosen a shade of blue to be your primary color. Now, you get the option to play around with teal, navy blue, powder blue, and grayish blue.
If you like neutral colors, go for a greige shade as your primary color for a calming effect. Go for a deeper shade of the same color for your 30% feature wall. And finally, let a very pale version of the same color make up the remaining 10%.
How to apply the 60-30-10 rule in your home decor?
The 60-30-10 rule may seem easy on paper; however, the execution can sometimes be confusing, especially when you don’t know how to practically use these colors and where. So, how do you work out the color proportions in your decor? Let’s check it out.
Where to incorporate the 60% color?
This color will dominate the scene. So, your primary wall should be in this shade. You can also add this color to other areas such as your sofa, wall unit, and cushions.
Where does the 30% color come in?
It all depends on the choice of your shades. However, you can safely use this color for your curtains, side chairs, painted furniture, and other items such as vases and artifacts.
What about the remaining 10%?
This is the easy part. Your throw pillows, patterns on your chair, upholstery, or other decorative items to add a splash of color with the 10%. If you have opted for the 110% rule-breaker, add a few cushions or artifacts in those colors to your decor.
Are rules made to be broken?
Rules are made for a reason, true. However, it is okay to step out of the box for inventive ideas once in a while. What if you want more than three or even four colors in your room?
Decorating rules are but guidelines, and you don’t necessarily have to follow them to a T. There are no hard and fast rules. If you feel 60-30-10 doesn’t work for you, try your own formula. However, it is best to work out the balance of colors before you take the plunge.
Final thoughts
Following the 60-30-10 rule all the way can be tricky. But once you follow the basic premise, you will be able to achieve impressive results.
Your color scheme is a crucial part of your decor, and the wrong choice can lead to a terrible outcome. To avoid any mishap, you can consult experienced professionals such as Homebliss for all decor-related queries.
Happy decorating!
