You know that feeling when you walk into a room and it just works?

Like… “Jolín — qué bien funciona todo.”
You can’t quite put your finger on it, but there’s balance. There’s harmony. It feels calm and cohesive, but alive at the same time — like the room is gently humming in tune. Almost as if it’s dancing.

Well, I’ll let you in on something: behind that beautiful balance is usually a bit of maths.
Yes — maths!
But don’t panic, it’s the kind that actually makes your life easier.

Let me introduce you to the 60-30-10 rule.
If you’ve never heard of it, I promise, this one’s a game changer.

 

What is the 60-30-10 Rule?

It’s a simple formula used in interior design to create visual harmony. Think of it as your best friend when you’re stuck choosing colours or styling a room.

• 60% is your base — the main colour or tone that anchors the space.

• 30% is your secondary — a colour that adds depth, a bit of contrast.

• 10% is your accent — the playful detail, the sparkle, the pop.

This rule is often used with colour, but it actually works with everything: textures, finishes, materials, even lighting. Once you know it, you’ll see it everywhere — and you’ll never unsee it again.

 

A Real Example from One of My Projects

Let me walk you through a space I recently designed. It had this calm, timeless vibe — very neutral, very soft. That was our 60%: natural tones, plaster finishes, creamy textiles, nothing too shouty.

The 30% came through with a bolder element — the sofa, in this case. It had a richer, more saturated colour that gave the space depth without overpowering it.

And then — the cherry on top — the 10%. We used matte gold. Soft, understated, but with just the right amount of personality. It showed up in the taps, door handles, and even in small touches on the stair treads. It tied the room together in a way you feel before you even notice.

It’s a subtle sort of magic. Like good perfume — not everyone will spot it straight away, but it lingers, and it matters.

 

Can Gold Ever Be 60%? Absolutely — In a Cloakroom.

Now, here’s where it gets fun.

I love cloakrooms. They’re small, often overlooked spaces where you can really go for it.
And because they’re usually compact, the risk — and the budget — feels lighter.

In one cloakroom project, we made gold the star of the show — 60% of the walls were in a golden stucco, almost like a warm, brushed light. Then we added a deep, dramatic marble for the 30% — ideally one with golden veining to keep everything feeling connected. And finally, for the 10%, we brought in something personal. Could be a deep red candle, a teal tray, or even a vintage brass-framed mirror.

The combination? Unexpected, maybe. But when you step inside, it just works.

And that’s the beauty of this rule. You can go bold. Or stay quiet. It always finds the balance for you.

 

Trends for 2025? Let Them Live in Your 10%

This year, we’re seeing loads of earthy, warm tones — terracotta, burnt clay, ochre, sand. Colours that feel grounded, comforting. But trends come and go, so where should they go in your space?

My advice: let them live in your 10%.

Keep your 60% timeless, your 30% considered, and bring in trends through accents — vases, cushions, an artwork, even a painted side table. That way, when your taste changes (because it always does), your whole space doesn’t need to.

You’re not repainting your walls every six months, let’s be honest.

 

Here’s a Little Challenge

Wherever you are now — have a quick look around the room.
Can you spot the 60%? The dominant colour, the bones of the space?
What about the 30%? That contrast that adds rhythm?
And the 10% — the twinkle, the detail that gives it life?

If not, maybe it’s time to tweak a few things.
A cushion here, a lamp there. A vase you love.
Play with it. You’ll feel when it clicks.

 

A Final Thought (Before I Dash)

The real luxury isn’t how much something costs — it’s the intention behind it.

It’s the thought, the attention, the way everything feels like it was made just for you, even if it wasn’t. It’s that sense that someone — maybe you, maybe your designer — took the time to think about how you live and feel in a space.

And once you get that part right, the rest honestly takes care of itself.

Thanks for popping by this week — whether you’re reading this, listening on the podcast, or watching the YouTube version. I’m Miriam Prada, an interior designer based in London. I try to drop by every week to share little slices of the design world with you.

And next week? I already know what we’re chatting about, so stay tuned.

See you next week,

MP

 

If want to watch this click HERE, Please note that this is in Spanish, but you can auto-translate the subtitles. 

 

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