60-30-10 Color Palette Generator

How to use the palette generator

1. Pick your base colour: Click the colour box and choose the shade you would like to dominate the room. It could be your wall colour, a large sofa or a rug you already own.
2. Choose a colour scheme: Complementary, analogous, triadic and monochrome each create a different mood (explained below).
3. Press Generate palette: You will see three bands, sized 60%, 30% and 10%, each with its hex code.
4. Click any band to copy the hex code: Paste it into a paint store colour matcher, a mood board or a design app.

What is the 60-30-10 rule?

The rule divides a room's colours into three parts:

• 60% dominant colour: This is the main colour of the room. It usually appears on the walls, large rugs and big pieces of furniture. It sets the overall mood.
• 30% secondary colour: This supports the main colour and adds interest. Think of curtains, an accent chair, bedding or upholstery.
• 10% accent colour: This is the bold pop that catches the eye. Cushions, artwork, vases, lamps and small decorative items usually carry it.

The proportions work because they create a visual hierarchy. Your eye rests on the calm dominant colour, moves to the supporting one and then gets a little delight from the accent. Rooms that use several colours in equal amounts often feel busy, while rooms that use one colour everywhere can feel flat.

How our generator builds the palette

Behind the scenes, the tool converts your base colour into hue, saturation and lightness (HSL). Hue is the basic colour on the colour wheel, saturation is its intensity and lightness is how bright or dark it is. Then it adjusts these values according to the scheme you choose:

• Complementary: The 30% colour is a very soft, pale tint of your base. The 10% accent is the colour directly opposite on the colour wheel, which gives strong contrast.
• Analogous: The 30% and 10% colours sit next to your base on the wheel (30 degrees either side). The result is harmonious and easy on the eye.
• Triadic: The other two colours are spaced evenly around the wheel (120 and 240 degrees). It is playful and lively.
• Monochrome: All three colours share the same hue, using a lighter tint for the 30% and a darker shade for the 10%. It looks calm and sophisticated.

Worked example: a soft sage-teal living room

Say you love a calm sage-teal, hex #7A9E9F, for your living room walls. Here is what the generator gives for each scheme:

Scheme	60% Base	30% Secondary	10% Accent	Room Atmosphere
Complementary	#7A9E9F	#E4E7E7	#BF4340	Fresh and balanced, with a warm brick-red pop
Analogous	#7A9E9F	#A9B2BD	#2EB876	Cool and harmonious
Triadic	#7A9E9F	#B09CAF	#C8CC33	Playful and energetic
Monochrome	#7A9E9F	#D3DFDF	#405859	Serene and modern

With the complementary scheme, you might paint the walls in the sage-teal (60%), choose an off-white sofa and curtains close to #E4E7E7 (30%), and finish the room with brick-red cushions, a vase and a piece of art (10%). The result looks intentional without being loud.

Where to use each colour in a room

Proportion	Living Room Placement	Bedroom Placement	Kitchen Placement
60% Dominant	Main walls, large area rug	Walls, upholstered headboard wall	Cabinet doors, perimeter walls
30% Secondary	Main sofa, window drapes	Bedding, curtains, accent armchair	Backsplash tiles, island base, stools
10% Accent	Throw cushions, artwork, vases	Accent pillows, bedside lamps, art	Small appliances, canisters, flowers

Tips for better colour schemes

• Add neutrals freely: White, cream, grey, black and natural wood do not count towards the 60-30-10 split. Use them to rest the eye and connect the main colours.
• Test in your own light: A colour looks different in bright morning sun, in warm evening lamps and in a north-facing room. Paint a large sample patch and look at it at different times of day.
• Repeat the accent: Use your 10% colour in at least three places around the room, so it feels planned, not random.
• Mind the undertone: Whites and greys can lean warm or cool. Hold them side by side to make sure they match the undertone of your main colour.
• Use texture: Wood, linen, wool and metal add depth when your palette is limited. A monochrome room with different textures looks rich rather than flat.
• Follow the room's purpose: Soft blues and greens calm bedrooms, warm earthy tones make living rooms cosy, and brighter shades energise kitchens and home offices.

Colour psychology in brief

Colours affect how a room feels. Blue and green are linked with calm and rest, so they suit bedrooms and bathrooms. Yellow and orange feel warm and social, which suits dining areas. Red raises energy and works best as an accent. White and cream feel airy and open, while dark shades such as navy and charcoal create drama and intimacy.

Common mistakes to avoid

Making the accent too big: A bold accent colour on a whole wall stops being an accent and starts competing with the main colour.

Ignoring fixed elements: Flooring, kitchen worktops and large furniture already carry colour. Choose your base with them in mind.

Using pure black for the darkest tone: Softer charcoals or deep tones of your base colour usually look more refined.

Forgetting to match rooms: In open-plan homes, rooms that flow into each other should share at least one colour to look connected.

Frequently asked questions

Does the 60-30-10 rule work for every room?

Yes, it works in any room, and it also applies to outfits, websites and gardens. It is a guideline, not a law, so feel free to adjust it to 70-20-10 for an even calmer effect.

Do neutral colours count in the rule?

Usually they are treated as a supporting background. Many designers count white walls as the 60%, but you can also use neutrals freely on top of the three main colours.

Which colour scheme is best for beginners?

Analogous and monochrome schemes are the safest, because the colours are naturally related. Complementary is a good next step once you are comfortable adding a bold accent.

Can I use the hex codes at a paint shop?

Most paint brands offer colour matching using a hex or RGB value or a scanned sample. Screens vary, so always test a real paint sample before you buy a large quantity.

What is the best base colour for a small room?

Light and soft shades such as pale grey, off-white, sage or light blue reflect light and make the room feel larger. Dark colours can also work as a cosy, dramatic choice, but they need good lighting.

How do I pick an accent colour that goes with wood furniture?

Warm woods pair beautifully with deep greens, navy and terracotta. Cool or grey-toned woods suit soft blues, mustard and blush. Start with a complementary scheme and adjust to taste.

Bring the palette to life

Once you have your colours, find out how much paint to buy with our Paint Calculator, plan window dressings with the Curtain Size Calculator, or choose a rug that ties everything together with the Rug Size Guide.