How to Use the 60:30:10 Rule to Choose Art (And Why Your Artwork Already Has the Perfect Colour Palette Built In)
- Privileged Prints
- Nov 9
- 4 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
How to Use the 60:30:10 Rule to Choose Art
The 60:30:10 rule is a classic design guideline used to create colour balance.
60 percent is the dominant colour in the room
30 percent is the secondary colour
10 percent is the accent colour
This structure keeps your space feeling pulled together, even if your style leans bold, colourful, or eclectic. Gallery walls work beautifully with this rule, because artwork naturally slots into the 10 percent accent and ties the whole room together.
What is the 60:30:10 Rule?
The 60:30:10 rule is a classic design guideline used to create colour balance.
60 percent is the dominant colour in the room
30 percent is the secondary colour
10 percent is the accent colour
This living room is a perfect example of how to build a colour scheme around a single piece of art. Henri Matisse's "The Blue Window" was chosen first, and the entire room palette was pulled directly from the painting.
The result? A room that feels curated, sophisticated, and intentional - all anchored by one bold piece of art. This approach works beautifully because the artwork naturally contains a balanced palette. You're not forcing colours together; you're simply letting the art guide your choices.
Pro tip: Choose your hero artwork first, then pull your room colours from it. The art becomes both the inspiration and the finishing touch that ties everything together.
Pro tip: Choose your hero artwork first, then pull your room colours from it. The art becomes both the inspiration and the finishing touch that ties everything together.
Want to see this in action? Our Colour Riot collection is built around bold, balanced palettes inspired by Matisse and Kandinsky - perfect for creating a cohesive, vibrant space.
Matching Artwork With Your Existing Room Using 60:30:10
If your room is already decorated, use the rule in reverse:
Step 1: Look at your room’s 60 percent
This will be your wall colour, flooring, or biggest furniture pieces.
Step 2: Identify the 30 percent
Usually soft furnishings, curtains, or rugs. You can choose art that matches the 30%. But, even better...
Step 3: Choose artwork that brings in the 10 percent accent
This is where people go wrong. They pick artwork that matches the dominant colour instead of the accent.
A green room does not need more green. A navy room does not need more navy. A beige room definitely does not need more beige (absolutely definitely not.)
Instead, choose prints that add contrast.
Examples:
A green room looks stunning with pink, coral, orange or lilac art.
A navy room comes alive with gold, rust, teal or peach.
A neutral room shines with bold maximalist prints in almost any accent colour.
Your gallery wall becomes the energy and personality of the room.
Need inspiration?
Green room? Try Red Room Rebels for pink and coral accents
Navy room? The Bright Side brings warm orange and gold
Neutral room? Old Meets Bold or Colour Riot add maximum personality
Using the 60:30:10 Rule to Choose Gallery Wall Sets
Curated gallery wall collections make this rule effortless because the palette has already been balanced for you. Every piece in the collection echoes a dominant tone, a supporting tone and an accent colour.
This is why curated sets always look professionally arranged, even when you are a beginner.
If you want an easy, risk-free way to get the balance right, choose one of our curated gallery walls and build your room scheme around it.
Or use the colours in the set to enhance your existing space without having to redecorate.
Want to create your own custom gallery wall? Check out our 10 foolproof gallery wall layouts or read our ultimate guide to creating a gallery wall.
Final Tips for Colour Confidence
Do not be afraid of bold colour. Accent colours are meant to stand out.
If your room feels flat, add more accent.
If your gallery wall feels too loud, pull back on accessories, not the art.
Art does not need to match your sofa. It needs to match your confidence.
Not sure where to start? Browse our curated collections - each one is designed with balanced colour palettes that work straight out of the box by CLICKING HERE
Closing Thoughts
The 60:30:10 rule is one of the easiest ways to create a cohesive, stylish and expressive space. Whether you start with art or choose art to enhance your existing room, using colour deliberately will make your gallery wall feel curated and complete.
However, all of this is said with absolute humility (as somebody who happily has 6, 7, or 8 colours in a room). But, starting with a cohesive colour palette is the easiest and most foolproof way to design a room... you can add more colours later.
Ready to Create a Colour-Confident Gallery Wall?
Option 1: Start with Art, Build Your Room Around It
Choose a curated collection with a perfectly balanced palette, then pull your room colours from the artwork. This is the easiest way to create a cohesive, designer-level space.
Option 2: Match Art to Your Existing Room
Browse our individual prints and use the 60:30:10 rule to find artwork that enhances your current colour scheme - especially pieces that bring in your 10% accent colour.
All curated collections include:
Professionally balanced colour palettes (60:30:10 built in!)
Mixed styles and sizes for visual impact
Museum-quality, sustainable prints
Free delivery on orders over £45
20% off all sets (no code needed!)
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