60-30-10 Rule in Interior Design

The rule states that for the most balanced, appealing look, you should choose a three-color palette for decorating a room, and use it as follows:

• Decorate 60% of the room with the dominant color
• Decorate 30% of the room with the secondary color
• Use the remaining color as an accent in 10% of the space

Once you understand the 60-30-10 rule, you might wonder how actually to apply it to your bedroom. Luckily, it’s not too difficult. The dominant color is generally the color of your walls, and often your floor and largest piece of furniture. In most bedrooms, the dominant color is a shade of brown or tan, white or gray, but it can be any color you love enough to use on the walls.

The secondary color adds contrast to the room. Typically, this is the color used for furniture, curtains, area rugs, bedding or an accent wall. Any color works in the secondary role, as long as it complements the dominant color and pleases you.

The accent color adds spice to the bedroom. Often, this is a bright color, but not always. You might use black as your accent, or a metallic, or dark brown in a neutral room, or even a pastel.