How To Decorate Using The Rule Of Threes (2024)

How To Decorate Using The Rule Of Threes (1)

Why does it matter if you style your home?

You may be thinking that styling your home feels like unnecessary excess. Maybe you are more of a minimalist than a collector? Either way, I am guessing that if you are reading this, you would love a cozy and welcoming home?

I’m here to tell you that there are endless ways to style your home with thoughtful layers, without feeling like it is all just there to collect dust. The key is to make your home personalized to you through styling your surfaces and adding layers.

Today I am sharing a simple tip that will elevate your home styling to the next level. We will be tackling the rules of threes and how you can use this trick to confidently style your home.

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THE RULE OF THREES

What is the Rule of Threes (or odd numbers) in home styling?

The Rule of Threes is a design principle used to make a space appear visually cohesive. It originates from Feng Shui, where it is believed that The Rule Of Threes creates more energy in a room.

When looking at a styled space, it is more visually appealing to our eyes to look at a grouping of odd numbers. Our eyes are able to identify, skim, and rest on a set of odd-numbered items more so than even-number groupings.

I always use The Rule of Threes, or really, a rule of odd numbers when it comes to styling. For example, if you are styling with four stacks of books on your coffee table, treat them like a single surface that you add odd numbers of items to like a bowl and two trinkets. Add items to get the odd numbers to be the first thing you see.

Let’s explore where The Rule of Threes can be practiced in your home.

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BOOKSHELVES

I’ve styled A LOT of bookshelves in my day, and I will forever reference the rule of threes when it comes to a tricky shelf. The rule of threes is a go-to that has not failed me to date. Check out the examples above to see if you can count a variation of three items or “groupings” on each shelf.

You can approach this method of styling from any angle and it always works. Where there are two picture frames, add a third to round it out. Where there are two vases or baskets, fill one with florals to give it a purposeful boost that includes your third item. Where you have a lonely single item, add two more pieces to make it feel more purposeful.

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ARTWORK

I always start in the middle of a gallery wall and work my way out. Inevitably, this leads to an odd number of pieces. I love a great column of three artwork pieces hung on a narrower wall.

There are so many great uses of the rule of threes, and they always pan out looking curated and purposeful. Start with three and work out from there with odd numbers as you go.

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FURNITURE PLACEMENT

Start to look deeper into your inspiration images to identify why groupings of three feel more complete. You’ll be surprised at how much you notice it being used, even with larger-scale furnishings. You’ll also be surprised at how “off” things feel when they are not placed in threes.

Two chairs always feel better with a table in between them to round out the rule of threes. Throw pillows can feel more purposeful when styled in variations of three. The end of a sofa (1) typically feels more supported by a table (2) and a lamp (3). The rule of threes can be used in any aspect of interior design.

If you want more design tips for styling your home check out these posts:

How To Style Surfaces Throughout Your Home

5 Ways To Make Your House More Cozy

Want more of our MMDH Furnishing Rules of Thumb?

We are excited to announce the newest design guide in our offering! Our manual for scaling a room of furniture. I’ve compiled my 20+ years of interior design knowledge into this easy-to-follow manual, room by room and item by item.

This guide includes a section fully dedicated to my rules for styling any space. If you struggle with styling your surfaces or arranging an entire room of furnishings, this is for you! Check it out in the link below!

xo,

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Lots of fresh home inspo and decorating tips are to be discovered on our Pinterest boards!

How To Decorate Using The Rule Of Threes (2024)

FAQs

How To Decorate Using The Rule Of Threes? ›

“The idea is to use no more than three main colors in your space,” Marino explains. The most dominant color should be 60% of your space, covering the largest surface area of a room, such as the walls. This forms the starting point for the rest of the scheme.

What is the rule of 3 in decorating? ›

What is the "Rule of Three" In a nutshell, the rule of three suggests that things grouped in threes are more natural, harmonious and visually appealing. Odd numbers challenge our brains a bit and are more interesting.

What is the rule of three ornaments? ›

So what is the magic number when it comes to arranging your home decor accents? Decorating in threes, or odd numbers, helps you avoid too much symmetry, which can make your rooms look staged and boring. Even though I love symmetry, and could not live without it, too much of it is not a good thing!

What is the rule of three arranging? ›

It's pretty simple: The rule guideline of threes say that things arranged in odd numbers are more appealing, memorable, and effective than even-numbered groupings. Three seems to be *the* magic number, but 5, 7, or 9 work nicely as well.

What is the 3 form of decorate? ›

The past participle of "decorate" is "decorated."

How does the rule of three work? ›

The rule of three is a storytelling principle that suggests people better understand concepts, situations, and ideas in groups of three. Over time, the rule has been confirmed by anthropological experts as an archetypal principle that works on three levels: sentences, situations, and stories.

What is the rule of three styling? ›

What Is the Rule of Three? Grouping things in threes is pleasing to the eye and creates a balanced composition that is visually appealing. “Items of any kind look better when used in groups of three” says Kristin Marino, interior designer and founder of Kozy Kasa.

What is the rule of threes in Feng Shui? ›

The Rule of Threes is a design principle used to make a space appear visually cohesive. It originates from Feng Shui, where it is believed that The Rule Of Threes creates more energy in a room. When looking at a styled space, it is more visually appealing to our eyes to look at a grouping of odd numbers.

What is the rule of 3 arrangement? ›

Music's Rule of Three. The idea is to have only three musical phrases playing at any one time in your song. Going beyond three or four elements at once can crowd your track, making it harder for your audience to connect and recall your composition.

What is an example of the rule of three? ›

Examples of the rule of three

In storytelling: “The Three Little Pigs,” “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” and “Three Billy Goats Gruff” are all classic examples of stories that use the rule of three. In speeches: “I came, I saw, I conquered” is a famous example of the rule of three used by Julius Caesar.

What is the design pattern rule of three? ›

The rule of thirds is a design concept that involves dividing a design area into a 3×3 grid, creating nine equally sized quadrants. 2) Position the most compelling elements: Position the most compelling elements in a design area along one of the intersecting points, also known as crash points, on the grid.

What is the design principle rule of 3? ›

The Rule of Thirds is another way to look at the layout of a design (be it a web page, a painting or a photograph). The idea is straightforward; you place a simple grid overlay (divided equally into thirds, both horizontally and vertically) on the space to be used for the design.

What are the three basics of decorating? ›

A beautifully decorated interior not only functions well but it creates a mood or a feeling and shows off the personality of the family that lives there. It's attention to these three important ingredients — function, mood and personality — that ensures decorating success.

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