The 60-30-10 rule: How to use it to create a balanced colour palette

Dominant Colour

The dominant colour is the colour that will be used the most in the space. It is the colour that will set the tone for the room and create the overall mood. The dominant colour can be a neutral shade, like beige or grey, or a bolder one, like red or blue.

Secondary Colour

The secondary colour is the colour that will be used to complement the dominant colour. It should be different enough from the dominant colour to create contrast, but similar enough to create a paired cohesive look. The secondary colour can be a lighter or darker shade of the dominant colour, or a completely different hue altogether.

Choosing Your Colour Palette

The first step in using the 60-30-10 rule is to choose your colour palette. Start by selecting your dominant colour. Since this will be the colour that covers the majority of the space, it is important to choose a colour that you love as it will set the tone for the room. If you're having trouble choosing a colour, think about the mood you want to create in the space. Do you want it to be calm and relaxing, or bold and energising? Once you have your dominant colour, you can move on to selecting your secondary and accent colours.

When selecting your secondary colour, consider the colour wheel. Colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel, like blue and orange, create contrast and are visually appealing together. Colours that are next to each other on the colour wheel, like blue and green, create a harmonious and calming effect.

Applying the 60-30-10 Rule

Now that you have your colour palette, it's time to apply the 60-30-10 rule. Remember, 60% of the space should be decorated with the dominant colour, 30% with the secondary colour, and 10% with the accent colour.

One of the easiest ways to apply the 60-30-10 rule is through your furniture and décor. For example, if your dominant colour is beige, you could use beige for your walls, curtains and sofa (60%), choose a secondary colour, like blue, for your accent chairs and throw pillows (30%), and an accent colour, like yellow, for your decorative accessories, such as vases and artwork (10%).

Another way to apply the 60-30-10 rule is through your flooring and textiles. For example, if your dominant colour is grey, you could choose a grey carpet or hardwood flooring (60%), use grey bedding and curtains (30%), and add a pop of colour with your accent colour through throw pillows and decorative accessories (10%).

The 60-30-10 rule can also be applied to your wall colour. For example, you could paint 60% of your walls with your dominant colour, use your secondary colour for a feature wall or wainscoting (30%), and add an accent colour through decorative accessories like artwork or a statement piece of furniture (10%).

THE BEST SERVICE FOR DESIGNING THE PERFECT INDIAN HOME WITH THE 60-30-10 RULE

If you’re renovating your house and trying to work out the best 60-30-10 rules for your space or can’t find a starting point for the perfect colours to choose, you’ll need a reliable and seasoned designer to help you along the way. While we all dream of a beautiful home, taking time out of our daily schedules and finding the right people to work with is often easier said than done. With this thought in mind, India’s largest paint giant Asian Paints created the Beautiful Homes Service. Enlisting expert interior designers, who’ve worked across the length and breadth of the industry, the Beautiful Homes Service takes care of executing every task in your home renovation from start to finish. 

A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR A BALANCED 60-30-10 COLOUR PALETTE

For the most interesting, well-designed décor products that follow the 60-30-10 rule under one roof, step into an AP Homes store in your city. With a curation of products and solutions from a family of brands, AP Homes is your one-stop shop to create a home or space that tells your unique story. Whether you’re looking to choose well-designed objects to pair with the 60-30-10 design rule or products and finishes to complement your home interior design, AP Homes houses everything from furnishings and fixtures to home automation solutions.