I’m often asked what makes a comfortable home. Of course, there are plenty of design elements that go into making a home feel cozy and welcoming. Warm lighting, plush rugs underfoot, soft textiles, and built-in shelves lined with your favorite books — these are things that make a space feel more comfortable. However, cramming these items into a home willy-nilly could very easily cross the line into cluttered. The design principle of balance draws the distinction between comfort and clutter. And the best way to achieve a well-balanced home is by following the rule of thirds in interior design.

 

In this Interior Design Glossary entry, I share the definition of the rule of thirds, how to use it in interior design, and when to break it. Let’s dive into it in 3, 2, 1…

What is the Rule of Thirds?

The rule of thirds divides a vantage point into three horizontal and vertical sections using two vertical and two horizontal lines. The resulting grid creates nine distinct boxes and four strategic focal points where the dividing lines overlap. The rule of thirds approach allows you to better assess the visual weight of the space, balancing elements between the upper, middle, and lower zones alongside the left, right, and center. 

A Brief History of the Rule of Thirds

While widely used and applied to interiors, the rule of thirds is borrowed from the visual arts. The rule is thought to have originated in the field of painting, used by artists like Raphael, who divided his canvas into three parts. Artist John Thomas Smith first wrote down the rule in 1797 in his book Remarks on Rural Scenery. In it, he suggested that the proportion of dark to light in a painting should be 1/3 to 2/3. While the rule of thirds is most commonly used to place the focal point of an image or space, the rule can also be extended to the use of lighting, color, texture, and other design elements. 

How to Use the Rule of Thirds in Interior Design 

There are many ways to use (and break) the rule of thirds in interior design. These are some of the best.  

Planning a Focal Point Elevation 

In the visual arts, the rule of thirds is applied to a two-dimensional plane. To operate in the three-dimensional world of interiors, the principle has to be applied to one specific vantage point at a time. This snapshot or frame could be from any space in the room, even looking up to the ceiling or down to the floor. To best utilize the rule of thirds, consider the view of the room’s main focal point. Designers can best take advantage of the rule of thirds when drafting elevations to plan the layout of focal points like a fireplace wall or bedroom headboard.  

Styling a Shelf or Gallery Wall 

The rule of thirds can be applied to smaller areas of the home as well, like styling a single shelf or hanging art on a gallery wall. For instance, a shelf only utilizing the lower horizontal quadrant of the grid could benefit from some added height to break into the center and upper rows. 

Finding Balance (Whether It’s Symmetrical or Not) 

Creating balance in a home doesn’t necessarily mean mirroring the space to create symmetry. But, of course, it could. For example, the Georgian design style employs strict symmetry. So, using the rule of thirds, you could organize a space by placing the fireplace in the centermost box and flanking it with armchairs in the left and right quadrants. However, balance can also be achieved using asymmetrical designs, like counterbalancing an off-center fireplace with a built-in bookshelf. 

Leveraging the Points of Intersection 

While you can use the nine boxes in the rule of thirds grid to place items in a space, you can also position focal points at the intersections. The four points where the two horizontal lines and two vertical lines meet are considered the most visually interesting places to position statement pieces. For example, two pendant lights positioned over a kitchen island meet perfectly at the two upper intersections, providing a striking (and balanced) focal point. 

Good Things Come in Threes 

There’s a saying in French, “Jamais deux sans trois,” or “Good things come in threes.” One of the simplest takeaways from the rule of thirds is that groupings of three are just much more visually interesting. Odd numbers are almost always more pleasing to the eye because they create a sense of dynamism, whereas even numbers feel a little more stuffy. This goes back to the fact that symmetry and even numbers are rarely found in nature, and, as humans, we’re drawn to the natural world and biophilic designs. 

Know When to Break the Rules

Of course, who can resist breaking the rules every once in a while? In many of our period renovations, we’re working with the existing architecture of the home. Sometimes, these features on their own are interesting enough and deserve to be their own focal point. So, we play the room to the window or sloped ceiling or whatever feature it is — whether it aligns with the rule of thirds or not. In other cases, the use of the rule of thirds may be less apparent than a fireplace mantel carefully constructed in the confines of the nine grid. Like the artist John Thomas Smith, a designer may balance the space by using the ratio of light or textures. Ultimately, it’s our job as interior designers to ensure the space feels balanced, cohesive, and, above all, comfortable. 

 

Even if that means a little rule-breaking.