Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Livingetc
Livingetc
Devin Toolen

What Is the 3-5-7 Rule in Decorating? Designers Spill the Secret to Spaces That Feel "More Visually Engaging and Appealing"

Coffee table with stacks of books and decor objects.

Ever strategically styled a shelf or space in your home, stepped back, and felt like something just isn't quite right? You like the overall color scheme and each individual piece, but together, it just doesn't quite work. What could be wrong? I'll tell you — it's the symmetry.

Sometimes, when a room looks too symmetrical, it can feel stiff, and inauthentic. That's where the 3-5-7 rule in decorating comes into play — a clever interior design rule that intentionally disrupts that dreaded 'matchy-matchy' decorating mistake.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.