Decorating your home with the right flooring is easier said than done, but getting it right goes a long way in setting the tone of the space for you and your loved ones. It’s not something you want to piece together at random and just hope it all works.

There are plenty of interior design guidelines that help keep a home looking cohesive, but three lesser-known rules tend to make the biggest difference when it comes to flooring. The rule of 3, the 60/30/10 rule, and the 3/4/5 rule are often used by expert hardwood flooring contractors in Lexington, NC, and knowing them can make it much easier to choose a flooring style you’ll be happy with long-term. Let’s break them down.

What is the rule of 3 in flooring?

The rule of 3 is a foundational design rule which states that you can only use up to 3 flooring types or finishes throughout your entire house, making the entire interior feel cohesive, pleasing on the eye, and calmer to be in. 

This is an ancient organizational concept that can be found in various other disciplines, and interior design is certainly also among them. If aesthetics matter to you, this is a rule you’ll want to stick to, as going beyond 3 textures, material types, or tonal variations for your flooring could make it look messy, busy, disjointed, and visually cluttered. 

It’s best to stick to using one material for communal living, one for private spaces, and one for bathrooms. Also important is to keep plank direction consistent across rooms, hallways, and open spaces, as having differing plank directions could make your home feel smaller. With this rule in mind, you will be able to install flooring that never goes out of style and is better for a healthier indoor environment.

What is the 60/30/10 rule for flooring?

The 60/30/10 rule in flooring claims that you should stick to a 3-color palette, with one making up a total of 60% of your home, another 30%, and a third hue should only take up 10% of the available space.

This is another rule based on threes that further helps you develop visual cohesion and maintain a balanced and clean look. By applying this rule, 60% of your space should consist of one main color, one secondary color, and a decorative color. The main color is used for your flooring material, while the secondary color covers walls and furniture, and the third color is for smaller, artsy, decorative items.

What is the 3/4/5 rule flooring?

The 3/4/5 rule in flooring recommends you to use a maximum of 3 colors, 4 textures, and 5 finishes for your whole layout and any adjacent surfaces. By doing so, you’re able to maintain visual harmony throughout your house, while still having enough variations to prevent it from looking monotonous, making for a cozy experience. 

With this rule, you’re still able to stay on track with the emerging floor trends of 2026, allowing you to set up a highly modern design that stands out and impresses anyone stepping on your doorstep.

Where can I find the best hardwood flooring contractors in Lexington, NC?

If you want to work with experts that know how to best utilize these lesser-known rules to make your home feel wonderful to live in, then Premier Hardwood Flooring is your go-to installation and refinishing company near Boone’s Cave Park and across the city. We have almost 30 years of experience delivering high-quality, eco-friendly bamboo hardwood flooring, and are specialized in working with all floor types using certified, EPA-approved Bona products. Schedule a consultation with our specialists today!