The 2:3 interior design rule is the pros’ secret weapon to creating an elegant living room – this is how the golden ratio works

A spacious living room with a Berber-style rug, a cream sofa and a long ottoman.

If you’re in the process of decorating or redecorating your home (or even just one room like the living room), then there’s something you need to consider – the 2:3 interior design rule. Also known as the golden ratio, a term which you may have come across if you’ve ever studied or learnt anything to do with art or its history, this is interior experts’ golden rule for achieving a well-proportioned and balanced space.

The 2:3 rule works well even if you’re just selecting the best sofa for your living room or the right (and appropriately sized) coffee table to pair with it. When you’re shopping for these larger pieces of furniture, it’s easy to get lost in the desired aesthetic, price point and living room colour schemes, overlooking the scale and proportion between the pieces and room itself.