Do you want to create a stunning and stylish room that reflects your personality and taste? Do you want to avoid the common pitfalls that can ruin your design vision and make your room look cluttered and chaotic? If so, read on to learn some tips and tricks from our expert interior designers at Orange Poppy Home Decor.
One of the most important aspects of interior design is color. Color can set the mood, create contrast, and add interest to any space. However, color can also be tricky to use effectively. You need to balance the colors in your room so that they complement each other and create a harmonious and pleasing effect. Too much or too little color can make your room look dull or overwhelming.
So how do you achieve the perfect balance of color in your room? Here's a simple rule of thumb that our designers swear by: the 60-30-10 rule. This rule states that you should divide your room into three color zones: 60%, 30%, and 10%. Let's break it down:
- 60% of your room should be dominated by one or two main colors. These are the colors that set the tone and create the backdrop for your design. They are usually neutral or muted colors that are easy on the eye and work well with other colors. For example, white, gray, beige, cream, etc.
- 30% of your room should consist of colors that blend well with your main colors and create a sense of harmony and calm. These are usually secondary colors that are similar or adjacent to your main colors on the color wheel. For example, blue, green, purple, etc.
- 10% of your room should be reserved for colors that contrast with your main and secondary colors and add some spice and excitement to your design. These are usually accent colors that are opposite or complementary to your main colors on the color wheel. For example, red, orange, yellow, etc.
To illustrate this rule, let's use an analogy that might help you relate to it better. Think about an outfit that you would wear for a night out or an important work event. How would you choose the colors for your clothing and accessories? Here's an example:
- Suppose you want to wear a dark gray pants suit. The jacket and pants would be considered 60% of your attire. They are the main colors that define your style and create a professional and elegant impression.
- Next, let's say you decide to pair your suit with a cream blouse and light gray shoes. That would be considered 30% of your color palette. They are the secondary colors that blend well with your main colors and create a smooth and sophisticated transition.
- Finally, you add the finishing touches by wearing a gold and coral necklace with coral gemstone earrings. That's your 10% of pizzazz. They are the accent colors that contrast with your main and secondary colors and add some sparkle and flair to your outfit.
See how this works? Now let's apply this rule to a room in your home. Take a look at the picture below of our Look of The Week - Gloria's Living Room. Notice how our designers at Orange Poppy Home Decor followed the 60-30-10 rule exactly.
- 60% of the Look is White, Gray, and natural wood tones. These are the main colors that create a clean and modern base for the design. They cover most of the walls, floor, ceiling, sofa, and rug.
- 30% of the room is made up of Black and Olive Green furniture and decor. These are the secondary colors that blend well with the main colors and create a cozy and natural feel. They include the coffee table, side table, plant, pillows, and wall art.
- 10% of the room is spiced up with Burnt Orange and Terracotta colors. These are the accent colors that contrast with the main and secondary colors and add some warmth and personality to the design. They include the flower arrangement, vase, candle, and throw blanket.
Can you see how this room looks balanced and beautiful? The colors work together to create a harmonious and pleasing effect that is neither boring nor busy.
A lot of times people will add too much contrasting color which makes a room feel unbalanced and cringe-worthy. For example, imagine if this room had a bright red sofa, a green rug, a black lamp, and a white armchair. Yes, those colors can work together, but that would be too much color and too much contrast, which would make the room look confusing.
The 60-30-10 rule is a simple and effective way to avoid this mistake and create a stunning and stylish room that you will love. Try it out for yourself and see the difference it makes. And if you need more help or inspiration, feel free to contact our designers at Orange Poppy Home Decor. We are always happy to assist you with your interior design needs. To learn more about our unique design service and FREE curated design boards based on your design preferences and needs click here.