In the ever-evolving world of interior design, one question has emerged: is the 60-30-10 color rule still relevant? This rule, a tried and tested formula for creating balanced spaces, has long been a safeguard for designers and homeowners alike. But with the bold and brilliant color trends of 2026, it's time to explore whether this rule is as timeless as it seems.
Breaking the Mold
The 60-30-10 rule, a simple yet effective approach to color distribution, has its merits. It ensures a space doesn't become overwhelming with color, providing a sense of harmony. However, as designers like Rebecca Hughes and Brian Jerauld demonstrate, following this rule too closely can limit the potential for truly remarkable interiors.
Rebecca Hughes, a London-based interior designer, believes that great spaces are intuitive, responding to light, architecture, and mood. In a recent project, she layered warm, tonal hues, creating a nuanced palette that defied the traditional color hierarchy. This approach, she argues, results in more personal and timeless homes.
Brian Jerauld, founder of Blank Slate Studio, takes a similar stance. He believes that color rules can't account for the unique qualities of a space, such as how light moves or how materials interact. Instead, he focuses on creating a timeless palette that feels soft, neutral, and grounded, allowing the space to breathe and evolve.
Beyond Color
Marcelina Janizewska, head of interior design at Project London, emphasizes that color is just one element in creating a compelling space. Texture, materiality, and tone play equally important roles. She argues that natural materials like wood, stone, and linen can create balance and visual harmony, often more elegantly than strict color-blocking.
In open-plan homes, the fluidity of color zoning challenges the prescribed nature of the 60-30-10 rule. Marcelina suggests that the color-drenching trend, with its focus on immersion rather than proportion, has contributed to the rule feeling outdated. She believes that breaking the rules and creating color tension can result in spaces with personality and emotional impact.
The Creative Renegade
Marianne Shillingford, creative director at Dulux, is a self-proclaimed color renegade. She argues that being creative is about breaking rules and making new ones. While the 60-30-10 rule can create a classically balanced look, it might not always surprise or delight in the way that new and unexpected color theories can.
Marianne suggests that the rule book is being rewritten, with new trends like room-drenching, ceiling capping, and maximalist clashing palettes taking center stage. She encourages designers and homeowners to have fun and experiment, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Evolving Perspectives
Helen Shaw, a color expert from Benjamin Moore, acknowledges the timelessness of the 60-30-10 formula while recognizing the evolution of its application. She suggests techniques like color capping, which introduces a seamless wash of color, as a way to bend the rules while still maintaining balance and sophistication.
Interior designer Sam Grigg sums it up perfectly: "Real homes aren't made up of neat blocks of color. They're created by weaving color through pattern, artwork, textiles, and furnishings, with little touches that connect everything."
So, while the 60-30-10 color rule may not be outdated, it's clear that designers are pushing the boundaries, creating spaces that are more personal, expressive, and, most importantly, memorable.
