THE 60:30:10 RULE – YOUR SECRET WEAPON FOR A DROP-DEAD-GORGEOUS ROOM
Ever walked into a room and thought, “Ooooh, this just works”? And then tried to recreate the vibe at home, only to end up with something that feels… off? Like it’s almost there, but not quite? Don’t worry, it’s not you - it’s your colour balance.
Enter the design world’s best-kept not-so-secret: the 60:30:10 rule. A simple yet life-changing formula that makes any room look like it’s been professionally styled (without you needing to summon an interior designer or sacrifice your sanity).
SO, WHAT EXACTLY IS THE 60:30:10 RULE?
It’s a tried-and-true colour ratio that helps you balance tones in a way that feels intentional yet effortless - like styling success in three easy steps.
60% – The Dominant Colour: This is your base, your neutral, your “I could live with this forever” shade. It takes up the biggest portion (approx 60%) of your space - think walls, floors, large furniture, and rugs.
30% – The Secondary Colour: This adds contrast and depth to roughly 30% of the room. It could be your cabinetry, smaller furniture pieces, or feature walls. Basically, it’s the little friend to your 60%.
10% – The Accent Colour: The fun bit. This is where you inject a pop of colour that makes up about 10% of your colour palette in the space - think cushions, vases, artwork and statement lamps.
And before you start worrying that someone’s going to knock on your door with a colour chart and a calculator - don’t. This rule is a guide, not a law. No one’s coming to measure your cushions.
HERE’S HOW THE RULE LOOKS IN ACTION
Here’s how the 60:30:10 rule works its magic in real spaces! By following this simple yet genius formula, you can create a perfectly balanced and visually stunning room - every single time.
IN A LIVING ROOM
60% – the green walls, ceiling and sofa
30% – the beige flooring, rug, coffee table, chairs and curtains
10% – the black accents in the window frames, curtain rail and cushion detail
IN A DINING ROOM
60% – the white walls and ceiling
30% – the timber tones in the table, chairs and light
10% – the pop of blue-green in the windows and cushions
IN A PRIMARY BEDROOM
60% – the taupe walls, carpet, curtains and bed linen
30% – the brown bedhead and timber pendant and chair
10% – the fresh pops of white in the artwork, pillows and side tables
IN A KID’S BEDROOM
60% – the white walls, ceiling, carpet and tent colour
30% – the green feature wall and matching cushions
10% – the dash of mustard, rattan and timber tones
AND EVEN OUTDOORS!
60% – the white rendered wall, bench seat, pot colour and decking
30% – the blue of the pool
10% – the tan/ beige stool, palm leaves and cushions
See the magic? The dominant shade keeps things cohesive, the secondary shade adds depth, and the accent shade brings the pop. Boom! A perfectly balanced room - without a single colour-related meltdown.
BUT WAIT… DOES THIS RULE APPLY TO COCKTAILS?
Funny you should ask. Because YES, yes it does. The perfect Aperol Spritz?
60% Prosecco (or Champagne, if you’re being fancy)
30% Aperol (the lifeblood of good times)
10% Soda (for that final fizz)
See? The 60:30:10 rule is pure genius - whether you’re styling a living room or mixing drinks.
FINAL WORDS OF WISDOM
Don’t stress about exact percentages - think of this as a guide, not a test. Once you nail it, your space will feel effortlessly put together (like those people who somehow look chic even in activewear).
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER INTO THE THEORY BEHIND GREAT DESIGN & STYLING?
In Three Birds Styling School, we dedicate an entire module to the theory of great design and styling - because even the most creative spaces need a little science behind the magic. We’ll guide you through the Elements and Principles of Design, teaching you how to use pattern, texture, and shape to create balance, and how to wield the colour wheel like an absolute boss.
By the end, you’ll be making styling decisions with confidence, armed with expert design rules that take your spaces from nice to next-level stunning. Ready to unleash your inner styling rockstar? Click below to find out more!
