{"id":402040,"date":"2026-03-24T21:55:39","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T21:55:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/402040\/"},"modified":"2026-03-24T21:55:39","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T21:55:39","slug":"6-colour-combination-rules-designers-swear-by-including-the-60-30-10-cheat-code","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/402040\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Colour Combination Rules Designers Swear By \u2013 Including The 60-30-10 Cheat Code"},"content":{"rendered":"

Colour<\/a> is the cornerstone of interior design, setting the tone for a space and influencing all other aspects of design, from lighting to furnishings. Whether your look is based on contrasting colours<\/a> or neutral tones, knowing some simple colour theory will mean the finish is streamlined and balanced. <\/p>\n

\u201cColour can evoke emotions and enhance moods,\u201d Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Interiors<\/a> told Country Living. \u201cWarm hues such as soft neutrals, earthy tones, or subtle pastels create a welcoming and inviting atmosphere in living rooms and dining spaces where social interaction is key. While cooler shades like blues, greens or grey promote relaxation and tranquillity, making them ideal for bedrooms, bathrooms and other spaces where peace and serenity are desired.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the 60-30-10 rule to analogous and complementary colour schemes, these are the colour combination rules interior designers and specialists across the UK say they rely on to create balanced, cohesive spaces. <\/p>\n

1. Use analogous colours for a cohesive look<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
      \"a\"pinterest\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      Sarah Griggs\/Claire Garner Interiors<\/p>\n

      An analogous colour scheme is using colours that sit next to each other on the colour wheel for a balanced effect. <\/p>\n

      Before choosing a colour scheme, it\u2019s important to understand the colour wheel. This simple tool shows how colours relate to one another and helps you identify combinations that feel balanced.<\/p>\n

      \u201cThis type of colour scheme creates a serene and comfortable design by leveraging the natural harmony between hues,\u201d Claire Garner, director of Claire Garner Interiors<\/a>, told us. \u201cFor instance, incorporating shades of blue, green, and teal together will give you a naturally cohesive look.\u201d<\/p>\n

      Garner contined: \u201cThis approach is particularly effective in creating a unified and soothing design, making it ideal for bedrooms and living spaces. By selecting colours that naturally complement each other, an analogous colour scheme creates a sense of tranquillity throughout the room.\u201d<\/p>\n

      2. Choose a soft, neutralbase<\/strong>\"a\"pinterest\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      Matthew Williamson<\/p>\n

      Pale, soft and neutral tones are popular choices for base colours as they feel much lighter and open up the space \u2013 but you don\u2019t always need to opt for white, black or grey, says Matthew Williamson<\/a>, renowned interior designer and author of Living Bright<\/a>.<\/p>\n

      \u201cI am really enjoying using soft plaster pink as an all-over wall colour \u2013 it is always my go-to neutral. Warmer than grey, more interesting than beige and more forgiving than white, for me it\u2019s a colour that I\u2019ll return to again and again.
      <\/p>\n

      Williamson continued: \u201cPale and soft tones are often the best choice when it comes to base colours, as they provide a versatile canvas that can be accented with bolder shades to create depth and interest without overwhelming the space.\u201d<\/p>\n

      3. Pair bold wall colours with an \u2018apparent white\u2019<\/strong>\"a\"pinterest\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      Tom St Aubyn\/Georgie Wykeham Designs<\/p>\n

      White is a common choice when it comes to a base colour, but Georgie Wykeham of Georgie Wykeham Designs<\/a>, who also offers personalised colour palette service, The Colourist, suggests an \u2018apparent\u2019 or \u2018off\u2019 white will soften the effect. <\/p>\n

      \u201cPeople tend to give a lot of thought to the wall colour<\/a> and then just stick a standard white on the ceilings and woodwork,\u201d Wykeham told us. \u201cYou should look for what I like to call an \u2018apparent white\u2019 – a colour that looks white next to the chosen colour. Your apparent white should have a touch of the wall colour in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

      4. Follow the \u2018nature rule\u2019 for balance<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Kate Conrad, senior interior designer at luxury homeware retailer Madison & Mayfair<\/a>, follows the \u2018nature rule\u2019 to maximise spaces. She told us: \u201cFor colour schemes I follow the \u2018nature rule\u2019, whereby you design a room from the ground up. <\/p>\n

      \u201cUse the darker tones at the bottom, such as a deep-coloured rug or dark-coloured side tables, and then opt for slightly lighter tones in the middle of the room, such as with your sofa or any wall art. <\/p>\n

      “Then, use the lightest colours at the top of the room, and watch as it transforms it by creating the illusion of being a larger, more open space.\u201d <\/p>\n

      5. Use the 60-30-10 formula <\/strong>\"a\"pinterest\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      Tom St Aubyn\/Georgie Wykeham Designs<\/p>\n

      The \u2018rule of three\u2019 is a timeless colour principle that will help you achieve balance in any room. \u201cThe ‘rule of three’ recommends limiting your palette to three main colours \u2013 one dominant with two accent colours \u2013 to avoid a cluttered look,\u201d Nicolene Mausenbaum of Dezyna Interiors<\/a> told us. <\/p>\n

      In terms of how to split this, another common rule is the \u201860-30-10\u2019 rule. <\/p>\n

      \u201cOpt for 60% dominant colour, 30% secondary colour, and 10% accent colour to achieve a balanced effect,\u201d Amanda Foster of Foster Decor<\/a> told us. \u201cIt\u2019s a recipe for visual delight!\u201d She continued: \u201cIt\u2019s also worth adding in different textures when thinking about the three colours, as different textures in the same colour can add more depth.\u201d <\/p>\n

      6. Use complementary colours for contrast<\/strong>\"a\"pinterest\"<\/a><\/p>\n

      Tom St Aubyn\/Georgie Wykeham Designs<\/p>\n

      Complementary colours sit opposite each other on the colour wheel, as opposed to analogous colours, which sit beside each other. <\/p>\n

      \u201cComplementary colours add immediate variety and more obvious contrast to a space,\u201d Simone Wilson, Colour and Trend Expert at Voyage Maison<\/a> told us. <\/p>\n

      \u201cThis type of combination works as the two opposing colours are often similar in tone within their segment on the colour wheel, marrying nicely. <\/p>\n

      Wilson also recommends trying fresh takes on traditional combinations. She continued: \u201cIt\u2019s easy to modernise traditional complementary colour schemes. For example, many of us may associate red and green with traditional spaces \u2013 or with Christmas \u2013 but a fresh take could be to opt for muted mossy greens and rusty terracotta reds to elevate and modernise this usually more classic colour combination.\u201d<\/p>\n

      How to choose the right colour scheme for your home<\/strong><\/p>\n

      There aren\u2019t hard and fast rules when it comes to the right colour combination rules \u2013 a lot of the finish effect will be down to personal taste, but knowing the basics of how colours work together can help you create timeless looks based on your own preferences. <\/p>\n

      It\u2019s also worth trialling your chosen colours in your spaces before committing, Nicolene Mausenbaum of Dezyna Interiors suggests. She explains: \u201cOnce you\u2019ve selected your desired colours, ensure that you paint large test samples in the actual room before committing to a final choice \u2013 being sure to let the paint dry properly. Once dry, observe the samples at different times of day, with natural light and with artificial light to fully appreciate the colour values.\u201d <\/p>\n

      Painting essentials\"2"<\/a>2″ Paint BrushCredit: farrow-ball.com\"Harris<\/a>Harris Seriously Good Walls Ceiling Roller SetCredit: dunelm.com\"Original<\/a>Amazon Basics Original Multi-Surface Masking TapeCredit: amazon.co.uk <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Colour is the cornerstone of interior design, setting the tone for a space and influencing all other aspects…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":402041,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[267],"tags":[365,362,363,364,182262,182258,182259,182260,366,18,117,16468,19,1790,17,182261],"class_list":["post-402040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-arts-and-design","tag-arts","tag-arts-and-design","tag-artsanddesign","tag-artsdesign","tag-bedroom-ideas","tag-colour-combination-rules","tag-colour-schemes","tag-colour-theory","tag-design","tag-eire","tag-entertainment","tag-home-decor","tag-ie","tag-interior-design","tag-ireland","tag-living-room-ideas"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116286385673611148","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=402040"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/402040\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/402041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=402040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=402040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=402040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}