The 60-30-10 Principle

When it comes to decorating, large areas of unbroken colour can be monotonous. Too much colour, on the other hand, can be busy and distracting. So how do you achieve a balance between the two?

That’s where the 60-30-10 Principle comes in. The numbers refer to the ideal distribution of colours in a room, by percentage. Apply your main colour to approximately 60% of the room, and introduce a secondary colour to about 30% of the remaining surfaces to add contrast and interest (think feature walls and furnishings). An accent colour should make up the final 10% – introduce this in cushions, rugs, and accessories, for example.

This deceptively simple formula will help you to create a unified palette wherever a splash (or three) of colour is required.