Using primary, secondary, and accent colors is a common interior designers approach to create a cohesive and visually appealing color scheme in a space. Here’s how each role typically functions:
1. Primary Color
The primary color is the foundation of the room’s color scheme, covering about 60% of the space. This color is often used on large surfaces, such as walls or major furniture pieces, setting the general mood and atmosphere.
For example, in a modern living room, a neutral gray or white could serve as the primary color, creating a balanced backdrop for other colors.
2. Secondary Color
The secondary color complements the primary color and makes up about 30% of the room’s color palette. It often appears in upholstery, window treatments, or furniture, helping to enhance the space’s harmony while adding more dimension.
This color could be a bolder, deeper shade (like a navy or forest green) to contrast subtly with a neutral primary color.
3. Accent Color
The accent color is used sparingly (about 10% of the room’s color scheme) to add visual interest and personality. Accent colors usually appear in smaller items such as throw pillows, artwork, or decor pieces.
Bright colors like mustard yellow, teal, or coral are often chosen for accents to add contrast and draw attention to specific features or areas.
This 60-30-10 rule helps to create balance and prevent overwhelming color combinations. Designers use this method to bring cohesion to a room, ensuring colors complement each other while allowing accents to make a statement.
Putting the 60?30/10 rule into action
Harvesting
Although the ” rule” is reliable and produces fantastic outcomes, it is only as good as the chosen colors . So how can you choose them. Here’s a short cut . Find something appealing that already incorporates multiple colors and harvest three colors from it . Some suggestions are a painting you already love, a plant which incorporates multiple colors, or of course our 100% wool candy stripe range
Let your imagination go wild with the candy stripes below.We’d love to see a pic when you’re done
Good luck and have fun with the 60/30/10 rule.
