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 c…ontrast 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.