The Rule of 3 in Decorating!

Do you know about the Rule of 3 in decorating?

I am not an Interior Designer, but I do use the “Rule of 3” in decorating.  When you look at a room, your eye can tell the difference it makes. What the “Rule of 3” means, is that items grouped in 3’s look better! It gives a feeling of symmetry and balance. There’s no difference whether you’re hanging pictures, decorating a table, mantle, adding pillows, or creating a vignette, the “Rule of 3” creates interest. It, also, prevents a feeling of chaotic clutter to the room.

Let’s look at some examples…..

In this tablesetting, repeating 3 vases spaced apart down the center of the table creates movement and repetition in color. If you group all 3 vases together, they should be 3 different heights, but spacing them out works.

Here’s artwork hung in three columns. Yes, there are six, but the eye sees it as 3 sets!

There are 3 elements in this wall art: the window, butterflies, and fern planter. Do you see how it gives balance?

This is another set of 3’s in wall art. The flower pots are also in groups of 3!

Often windows in a home are in sets of 3. The seating arrangement also follows the rule of 3 with two chairs and a table. Do you see more 3’s?

More balance in 3’s and 5!

Lanterns hung in 3’s

While these 3 vases are all the same height, there are 3 different colors.

How many 3’s do you see here?

Before you go change everything in your house to a group of three, the numbers of 1, 5, 7, also work in decorating or grouping of objects. There are exceptions, of course. I wouldn’t decline a gift of an even dozen roses, would you?  Let your eye be the judge.

The Rule of 3 also applies to fabrics, color, and layout of the room. When you go to a furniture store, you see this rule as living room groupings will be a couch, loveseat, and chair, or a couch grouped with two chairs.

Recently, we rented a condo for a vacation and I could hardly relax in it due to the mix of colors, textures, and visual layout of the rooms. Nothing followed the Rule of 3! Everything seemed off balance! I wanted to totally rearrange and realized how important this rule of 3 can play in the overall relaxing feeling of the room.

Look around your home and see where you have used the rule of 3. Does this help you when trying to figure out a room arrangement, accent pieces or hanging artwork?

Hope this helps!

Phyllis

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