Using The Magical Rule Of Three When You Decorate
Learn about the science and art behind the rule of three that will make decorating easier and your home almost magically prettier.
In decorating, the rule of 3 is the golden rule! It is so simple, and it works magically to create beauty and balance! It can be used in something as small as a vignette and as large as the layout of a room! Let’s go over the basics so you can start using the rule of 3 in your interior decor today!
Three is a magic number in the world of decorating and beyond. It is the secret to balanced design with beautiful visual depth. It’s all about our eye/mind connection. We are hot-wired to find things grouped in threes visually pleasing.
What Is The Rule Of 3
The rule of 3 is easily stated, a group of odd numbers is most pleasing to the eye. And a grouping of three is the most pleasing of all! This is a solid gold decorating rule! Actually, our brains think the iconic grouping of three things is simply sublime!
A Simple Vignette
Look at this simple vignette. If it had only one thing in it, the vignette would be bor-ring! And more than 5 items are just too crowded. But three grouped together is just right. Goldilocks knew all about the “just right” of three!
If you are counting everything on the table, you may count six items in this vignette
Our eyes are smarter than you think! They don’t perceive an item that the grouping is on or things that corrals other items, such as a runner or basket for a vignette or a rug for furniture, as part of the group! Things like baskets actually define the grouping!
Very smart!
Our eyes count the candlestick and candle as one. This is called a grouping.
What do you see in the vignette? Three things or six?
And here is the centerpiece tweaked a bit. The rule of three is such simple beauty!
This is a real lesson in what we perceive and what is really there! Yes, our minds actually do play tricks on us!
Another Example
Here’s another small vignette that beautifully demonstrates the rule of three!
We have been discussing the golden rule of three, but do you see the rule of three played out in other ways in this vignette? How about three different heights of the objects. The candle is tall, the flowers are next in height, and the white baker is the smallest. Our eyes love to travel from one height to the next!
And there are three types of things in this vignette? A candle, flowers, and dishes?
How simple… but simple is often best!
Other Items To Group In Threes
Vignettes are not the only thing to group in three!
The rule of three works for styling a coffee table, decorating a mantel, arranging furniture in a room and so much more. The rule of three is a classic decor principle and one you should use!
Pillows on a sofa look fabulous, grouped in three. Especially if there is texture like a nubby cotton and or a pretty pop of color or the pillows have different patterns.
So now you know the basics about the magical rule of three. Why not add groupings of three in different ways to your home!
MORE INTERIOR DESIGN CONCEPTS FOR YOU…
Here is a list of important interior design concepts that will make you a better decorator. All these concepts are broken down into easy-to-understand, doable and repeatable processes that YOU can use in your home over and over.
WHY BALANCE IS IMPORTANT IN DECORATING AND HOW TO USE IT IN YOUR HOME
WHY KNOWING ABOUT VISUAL WEIGHT WILL MAKE YOU A BETTER DECORATOR
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT COLOR IN DECOR
HOW TO USE SPACE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE WHEN YOU ARE DECORATING
HOW TO WORK WITH SCALE AND PROPORTION TO DECORATE YOUR HOME
THE BEAUTY AND IMPORTANCE OF RHYTHM IN DECORATING
Where did you get the white flower container on the first page?
Hi Janet, the containers are really lanterns I use as makeshift vases. I found them at Pottery Barn years ago. Once in a while I see them come back on their site.
Could you say more about “the rule of three” when arranging furniture in a room?
Two chairs with a small table in between them or a sofa and two end tables or a sofa and two chairs perpendicular to the sofa. A group of three looks lovely to our eyes!
Just love the neutral colors and the use of 3! I recently redecorated and put those tips to good use! Everything looks clean and crisp. Sp pleased with the outcome. Thanks so much!
Love the white tulips. Great ideas.