The 60-30-10 rule of life
The 60-30-10 rule works like the first rule of Fight Club. Nobody really talks about it until it somehow finds its way to you.
At its simplest, the rule divides things into ratios. It began in color theory and visual psychology, where 60 percent represents the dominant color that defines the tone of a space, while the 30 percent acts as a supporting shade, adding contrast. And the remaining 10 percent should be dedicated to an element that pops and draws your eye exactly where it should go.
Originally meant for interior design, the rule has now become free from these limitations. You’ll see it in your favorite films, creating a pattern in your wardrobe, and even guide you on how you spend your time and money. It’s the rule behind why things just work.
The rule in film
If you have ever watched a visual that’s overloaded but somehow never overwhelming for you, chances are you are witnessing a good use of the rule in motion. Because in film, the colors are always intentional. They are a part of well-planned design meant to guide emotion, highlight character, or signal what’s about to unfold.
Take a look at a visually distinct film like “The Grand Budapest Hotel.” The film’s production team built its world around 60 percent warm pinks, 30 percent muted blues, and 10 percent pops of color from wardrobes and props, bringing the whole film to life. The color grading and set design are one of its most compelling aspects. Production designers and colorists use this rule to execute the director’s vision of the place.
This only proves that color is one of the most powerful storytelling tools in a film. Whether a film leans towards a monochromatic feel or is visually overloaded, incorporating the rule will always make it balanced.
The rule in fashion
If you also want to balance your style, then the 60-30-10 rule is a cheat code for you. At its core, fashion is self-expression, and the 60-30-10 rule doesn’t take that away from you. Instead, it gives structure to the chaos, letting you experiment with color and mood without overthinking every look.
Take, for example, the dynamic duo of Zendaya and her stylist, Law Roach. They practically treat the rule as gospel in their stylebook, especially during her Dune press appearances. In this look, she wore a complex look from Torishéju Dumi. The multicolored design featured layers of fabric—using deep navy as the foundation (60 percent), bright red as the statement contrast (30 percent), and hints of blue-gray shades (10 percent).
This just goes to show how Roach has mastered the art of styling his muse by incorporating the rule and making Zendaya’s outfit effortlessly timeless.
The rule in time
Beyond styling a timeless outfit, you can literally use it on your time. Most days are a collection of work, errands, and everything in between. To make sense of it all, you can apply the same rule by weighing your tasks.
Give 60 percent of your time to the most urgent tasks, then give 30 percent to some tasks that are related to the urgent tasks you’ve done—or tasks that are important, but not as urgent. Lastly, leave the remaining 10 percent for yourself to breathe and rest after.
What makes this method work is its balance between stability and flexibility. It’s less of a strict formal and more of a guide you can bend to fit your needs. The point is to understand your priorities and shape your time around them.
The rule in money
And of course, the rule doesn’t stop with time. It follows your savings, too.
Mastering your finances is a crucial step in our journey, so the rule is to build a more flexible framework to help you achieve financial stability. Allocate 60 percent of your income to essential expenses such as housing, utilities, food, transportation, and insurance, while 30 percent is allocated to your wants—that bag you’ve been eyeing, a meal at your favorite restaurant, or even a little treat (you deserve it!). Think entertainment, dining out, hobbies, extra clothes, travel, and gifts.
Lastly, allocate your 10 percent to savings and investments. Building an emergency fund is the priority in this category. Set a goal for how much you will save per month and gradually increase the amount to create a fund.
The rule in everything
People might not talk about it that much, but with the right balance, this rule can quietly shape almost every part of your life. So next time you’re stuck in a dilemma, take a pause and see if the rule fits. And when it does, maybe that’s when you’ll start talking about it.
