The Rule of Three is a design principle which affects every room of your home. It dictates layout, size, and shape of objects, the work triangle of a kitchen, even the color, pattern and fabric designs of your room.
This concept is seen everywhere from presentations, magazines, to photography and of course, interior design and it is best described by the theory of Feng Shui. This theory presents the idea that odd numbers expand and create more energy, while even number contract and condense. So what does this mean to you? If you want to infuse your space with energy, create a well-designed space that is inviting and relaxing, and make your room feel as large as possible (no matter how big it is) you can do this with the Rule of Three.
One is not enough, and five or more is too much, why three?
One is boring, it doesn’t really create a lot of energy or interest in a space. Imagine a blank room with just one chair in the corner. No matter how comfortable that chair is, you probably won’t want to spend too much time in here.
Now imagine a room with 5 or more elements like the Punk Rock Suite at the Hard Rock Hotel. Now the design here may have been intentional, given the desired scheme (aka PUNK ROCK) but you can see it looks very busy.
The human brain likes to easily puzzle things together and with three you can always find the center point and balance. Once you get past that, the brain has to work hard so naturally, it starts to resist.
Now that you know why you should use the Rule of Three, let’s look at some ways to apply this concept to your décor.
When applying color to your room the general principle is to add one big area of color, for example like this accent wall, a sofa, a decorative tapestry or area rug. Then look for 2 other ways to reintroduce that color within the room. According to the blog Mr.Kate.com you need to repeat a color at least 3 times to give a room a pop of color, otherwise, it just looks out of place.
Notice how in this Santa Cruz kitchen you have a pop of lavender on the large accent wall, this is then accented by the vase and the similarly colored island bar stool.
The Rule of Three also applies to the size of an object, this includes the height and girth. The good news is, they don’t all have to be the same size.
This layout from Gauthier-Stacy Interior Design shows three bottles, all of varying sizes. This creates more visual appeal.
You can also create an intriguing decor collection with three items in different shapes.
The logic of size and shape applies to many elements of your interior décor. The accent pillows you put on your sofa or bed; the arrangement you choose for your bookshelves or mantle; the lighting layout for your kitchen.
Now that you’ve explored some ways to incorporate this into your home, let’s look at some projects that put this rule to work.
This kitchen has several examples of the Rule of Three, and of odd numbers in general. There is a three prong light design above the island, 3 clay tiles behind the stove and three white pottery canisters on the counter. But notice how there are odd multiples of everything from the glass jars and glass vases to the singular glass water dispenser on the island.
Even those who prefer more linear, and less abstract, can find balance and symmetry with the Rule of Three.
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If you’ve got old, dilapidated floors that need an upgrade, you might wonder if there are any rules for replacing the flooring in your home. Good news — there are! Actually, you might want to consider these as “guidelines” more than “rules.” You don’t absolutely have to follow all of them. (Although we strongly suggest you do.)
Why should you trust us? Our decades of experience have taught us what works and, occasionally, what doesn’t. Here’s our list of the 10 most important rules for replacing the flooring in your home:
Technology advances all the time, especially in the flooring market. Besides improving on looks, flooring manufacturers spend considerable effort maximizing other factors. For example, energy efficiency is important to think about when replacing your floors. Quality floors that help insulate your house can cut down on your gas and electric bill. Longevity and durability have improved over the years as well. They really don’t make them like they used to, but that’s a good thing!
If you’ve got old, dirty carpets or stained, worn-out hardwood, you might be tempted to just hire a carpet cleaner or have that “vintage” hardwood refinished. Of course, those options will probably save you money in the short term. However, carpeting never comes completely clean (trust us — that’s why we refuse to install it). And most hardwood(or “hardwood-like”) some floors only have only one, maybe two refinishes in them at best. If you want the best in looks, efficiency and durability, new is the way to go.
When flipping through samples or researching flooring options online, it can be easy to fall in love with a particular style or design. But take heed! Just because a flooring product looks good doesn’t mean it will hold up well where you’re planning to use it. For example, it’s become increasingly trendy these days to install what looks like hardwood in kitchens and bathrooms. However, if all you’ve seen are galleries on Pinterest or photos in your friends’ Facebook feeds, you might not know that few (if any!) of those floors are true hardwood. Far more likely, they are luxury vinyl plank flooring or woodgrain tile made of ceramic or porcelain.
The reason this is on the list of rules to for replacing the flooring in your home is that kitchens and bathrooms are high splash zones. Same for mud rooms and laundry rooms. Real hardwood floors, as well as engineered hardwoods and some laminates, do not fare well when exposed to lots of moisture. Water causes wood fibers to expand, which can cause buckling and warping. Luxury vinyl plank and tile floors, on the other hand, can withstand water, moisture and humidity, making them perfect for high splash zones. In other words, be sure to match the material you choose with the room it’s going in with both form and function.
For some people who like contemporary, minimalist styles, one type of flooring that can go across the entire house is ideal. But most people like a little variety in life, so you’re probably considering switching it up a bit in between rooms. That’s great, just don’t go overboard. If every room in your house had a different kind of floor, the effect would be almost dizzying. A good rule of thumb is to stick with two or, at the most, three types of floors for your whole house.
For example, you could choose a type of large tile for high-traffic, high-spill areas like the kitchen, foyer and dining room. Then you could use smaller tile in the bathrooms. (Smaller spaces look better with smaller features, like tile). Finally, for bedrooms, living spaces and other rooms you’d like to feel cozier, hardwood might be appropriate.
Still need help figuring out what types of floor will look and perform best in your home? Call or email Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers today for a free consultation. We know you only want the best in flooring and remodeling. That’s why it’s important to hire the best in the business, and at Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers, we can guarantee you that’s us.
Flooring Masters & Professional Remodelers have been flooring and remodeling Kentuckiana for over 30 years. Our certified installers have the ingenuity and know-how to assist you in choosing the perfect floors for your home. Don’t take matters into your own hands—let us guide your next project.