I discovered the 60:30:10 rule over 20 years ago — here's why I'm still following its principles today

During a period of time living overseas when I could only work on a freelance basis, I decided to hone my interior skills by undertaking an interior design course. It was during this time I learnt about the 60:30:10 rule and from that point on, I've never looked back.

I'd always followed the rule of three when choosing colours, or displaying items, but the 60:30:10 rule helped me understand even more about getting the proportions and scale right. It's not just a passing fad either, it's a philosophy you can use across your interiors, regardless of what colours or interior design trends are in fashion.

It's certainly stood the test of time in my homes, 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.

Using the 60:30:10 rule for colour selection

The 60:30:10 rule recommends that you choose three main colours when decorating a room, and then give each of these colours a purpose, and percentage of coverage in your plans.

Your main colour is naturally assigned to the 60% category and is known as the dominant colour. This is the colour you choose for your walls, or larger items such as flooring and pieces of furniture – your sofa and living room carpet colours for example if you're considering living room ideas. In essence it's designed to be your backdrop.

The 30% colour, also referred to as the secondary colour, is for use in elements such as feature wall ideas, window coverings or upholstery. It should complement your dominant colour, but equally can be used to provide contrast and depth to your scheme.

And finally, the 10% colour choice is where you can often have some fun with your ideas. It's the accent colour that you can use to add some fun or magic to your interiors and can be used in less permanent ways, such as with cushions, artwork or general decor.

But, as with any paint trend, it's important not to get too hung up on the exact science of the numbers. "Think of it as a framework rather than a formula," recommends Katerina Tchevytchalova, founder of K'Arte Design. "Use it as a starting point when deciding how colour should be distributed across walls, furniture, soft furnishings and accessories."

Katerina Tchevytchalova

K’Arte Design is a luxury interior design and art consultancy founded by Katerina Tchevytchalova, specialising in high-end residential and commercial projects. Prior to launching her practice, Katerina spent five years at Kelly Hoppen Interiors and worked with several of London’s leading design studios.

Choosing your 60:30:10 colours

So how do you choose your paint colours and decide which proportion you assign to each one?

“Look to create a visual balance within your scheme," says Helen Shaw, director of marketing (international) at Benjamin Moore. "The main colour should be 60% of the scheme, 30% the secondary and 10% an accent.

"The accent colour can help to break up an ultra-contrasting scheme and allows the look to be tied together," she explains. " Rich and dramatic, or pale and interesting, you can look at all variants of shades to create a balanced design scheme.”

"It's about creating a sense of visual hierarchy, so a room feels cohesive rather than overwhelming," adds Katerina Tchevytchalova. "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 often where the personality of a room really comes through."

Here are some examples of it at play, with the 60:30:10 colour breakdown explained. It's not always an exact mathematical equation, but understanding how you can use the rule is what results in a completed and cohesive interior design scheme.

1. Using the 60:30:10 rule in hallways

Distinguishing between the 60 and 30 colours can often be harder where bold colours are at play, as shown in this hallway idea. In this instance, while the staircase is a massive feature, it's the blue which clearly dominates this space, and around which the scheme has been designed. The subtle shot of green as the accent colour is also perfectly referenced in the hallway flooring, neatly tying the whole scheme together.

2. Doubling down in bedrooms

If you're a fan of colour drenching or colour capping, it doesn't mean you can't still follow the 60:30:10 colour rule. In fact when using such a bold bedroom colour as red, it's often wise to have some lighter and contrasting shades to break up the overall look.

Here, the red dominates, but is softened by the paler wooden tones of the flooring and furniture. It's then complemented with a bolt of bright yellow on the bedside lighting, bedding and curtains. A warm and sunny bedroom idea that would work perfectly in a loft conversion bedroom with a balcony.

3. Using it in a light and airy living room

The ratios in this living room scheme are weighted more heavily in favour of two main shades – white and blue. The neutral flooring links well to the white, making this the dominant or 60% colour. However, look carefully and you will see signs of an accent colour in the form of ochre. It's subtle but enough of a pop of contrast to make this modern living room with its bespoke media wall both interesting, and sophisticated.

Shop for 60:30:10 painting tools

Helen Shaw

Helen Shaw is part of Benjamin Moore's UK division. A colour expert and international marketing director, Helen is no stranger to the paint industry and benefits of colour, having also previously founded a paint company with her husband, Craig.

Other ways of using the 60:30:10 rule

So does the 60:30:10 rule only apply to paint colours? No, say the experts, citing how it can apply to most elements of interior design and decor.

“The 60-30-10 rule isn’t limited to paint, it can be applied across 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.

"The 30% acts as your accent colour – this could come through chairs, bedding, rugs or window coverings such as curtains. From a paint perspective, you might use it on an accent wall or even the ceiling, but textiles and furnishings work just as well to introduce contrast and visual interest without dominating the space," she explains.

Katerina Tchevytchalova agrees, telling us that, "the same principle can be applied to materials, finishes and textures. You might have a dominant stone running through a kitchen on the worktops and kitchen island, a secondary timber element adding warmth, and a smaller proportion of metal as the accent. Approached that way, it becomes a much more versatile and relevant tool for the way designers actually work today."

FAQs

Does using more than one shade still count as one colour?

The jury is out on this one, as personally I've always taken the approach that one colour can include different shades. In my open plan kitchen for example, it had blue walls and a navy kitchen when I moved in. Some walls were white and there was a wooden floor. I've added blue sofas, chairs, cushions and accessories, but not in the exact same shade. This to me is my 60% colour – even if the blue is lighter or darker in certain places.

However, if you're after a more tonal finish, Helen Shaw suggests different shades should be considered as new colours.

“When you’re following the 60-30-10 rule, different shades of the same colour are typically treated as a second and third colours, as seen in a monochromatic scheme," she says.

"While a monochromatic palette is built from one base hue, the variation in shades introduces enough contrast to read as separate elements within a space," Helen continues. "That means a lighter or darker version of your main colour can effectively take on the 30% portion, rather than being grouped entirely into the dominant 60%.

"This approach is a great way to keep a scheme cohesive while still adding depth and visual interest," she notes. "By layering shades of the same colour, you create subtle contrast and dimension, without needing to introduce a completely different hue.”

Is this the only interior design rule I should use?

"I'd recommend treating the 60:30:10 rule more as a point of reference rather than a strict rule," notes Katerina Tchevytchalova. "It's a helpful tool to revisit if a scheme feels slightly off, but it's rarely something designers apply rigidly from the outset.

"Interiors today tend to focus on subtle layering rather than clearly defined colour blocks," she continues. "Materials such as timber, stone and natural fabrics already introduce their own tonal variation, so the balance and flow feel more organic and less strict and formulaic.

"Layer materials and textures to create depth and warmth, and mix old and new pieces to give a space character and longevity," recommends Katerina. "Those two things together are what make a room feel genuinely considered rather than simply decorated."

Looking for ways to adopt the 60:30:10 rule in your home, perhaps in a new kitchen extension? Before you finalise the colours you want to use, take a look at what experts recommend for getting the perfect kitchen flooring and cabinet colour combination. It can help you ensure that the colour proportions in such an important space are balanced in the best way.