I’m an interior designer and the 60-30-10 rule should be your starting point – but know the right time to break it
ONE interior designer has shared her tips for redecorating your home – and that includes knowing when to be a rebel by breaking the rules.
Most importantly, her refresh tricks are meant to personalize your pad.
“You want your home to not only look stunning but also seamlessly reflect your style and function with practical elegance,” said Kristen Elizabeth of Kristen Elizabeth Interior Design in a post.
Her goal was to make the decorating process more manageable, especially when it comes to color.
After all, she wants to help you design a space that is “tailor-made to suit your lifestyle.”
“We delve into the world of interior design rules – when to follow them and when to break free – empowering you to approach home design with confidence,” she said.
When elevating your space, she recommends adding a pop of fun – or color.
“The color palette is often a starting point for any design project,” she said.
“When planning the color scheme for a room, see what colors you’re drawn towards – this could be from inspiration photos, artwork, or a prominent design element you have in mind for the space.”
To get a “wow” look, she wants you to understand the color wheel, which she explained gives a glimpse “into the realms of analogous, monochromatic, and triadic color schemes.”
She also advises implementing “complementary and split-complementary schemes” if you are looking to incorporate contrast.
Still, everything comes down to one crucial design commandment.
“At the core lies the art of utilizing neutral colors as a foundation, all within the framework of the 60-30-10 rule for crafting a balanced and visually appealing space,” she said.
She broke down each color palette percentage.
Elizabeth explained how 60% of the room should reflect the main color of the space.
This includes flooring, wall color, and the most substantial pieces of furniture.
Meanwhile, 30% of any area should be your secondary shade.
Budget interior design tips
Interior designer Judy Hoang shared her furniture tips with The U.S. Sun.
- Thrift furniture and paint it to match your decor.
- Test if an item is fit for its purpose before thrifting.
- Shop at Target or HomeGoods for rugs, lamps, desks, and pillows.
- Invest in classic timeless pieces.
- Set up smart home lighting to save money.
“Think medium-size furnishings and accents,” she said.
Lastly, only 10% of the space, usually “small decor,” needs to be your accent color.
Now it’s time to take those rules and break them.
Go ahead, find your darker design side by doing 10% of “two different coordinating accent colors.”
She explained how you can also use this rule in a “monochromatic color palette.”
Just make sure to use three varying tones of the same color.
“Many designers use this same principle but with a 70-20-10 balance,” she said.
“More important than sticking to the rule is paying attention to the feel and how the colors balance the space,” she continued.
Aside from adding a stylish element to your home, color can also boost your mood, according to Very Well Mind.
They explained how color can be used to “signal action” and even influence “physiological reactions.”
In a study conducted in over 30 countries, the feelings most colors evoked in people proved to be universal.
Warmer colors including orange and yellow brought out emotions ranging from “warmth” to “anger and hostility.”
Cool colors such as blue and purple, however, made many feel “indifference.”