Imagine you're an interior designer tasked with renovating a client's living room. They've given you complete creative freedom but expressed a strong preference for vibrant, disparate colors. While excited about the possibilities, you're also aware that too many bold colors can create a chaotic, unbalanced space. To address this challenge, you decide to apply the 60-30-10 rule, a widely used guideline in the field of interior design for creating harmonious color schemes.
The idea behind this rule is to create balance by dividing color usage into three distinct segments:
This rule helps prevent color overkill and establishes a visually appealing balance in the room. The 60% provides a unifying backdrop, the 30% introduces contrast, and the 10% adds that touch of character and excitement.
For your client’s living room, decide on a calming neutral color like beige for 60% of the room - the walls. Choose a stronger secondary color, such as navy blue, for 30% of the space - say, a sofa and curtains. Lastly, inject a vibrant, exciting hue, like mustard yellow, for the 10% accent - decorative cushions, a throw, or a painting. This application of the 60-30-10 rule will ensure a harmonious blend of colors, grounding the room while still providing a dynamic, cheerful setting.
To fully embrace your interior design role, think of yourself as an artist combining different shades on a canvas. The 60-30-10 rule offers a framework, but you have the flexibility to choose the colors and how they're applied. Ultimately, this rule helps you deliver a well-balanced composition that pleases the eye and satisfies your client's preference for a vibrant, yet cohesive living space.