I always sing this when I say it, I don’t know why it’s a natural reaction for me, but three really is the magic number.

Have you ever noticed when you purchase some items they are usually in packs of three or three items in a set or box? Or the styling images in your favourite home magazine’s they have styled books, cushions or shelves with three items grouped together. There is a reason for this,
The rule of three… and yes you can drink three bottles of gin for the sake of styling your accessories like the picture above, I did but make sure it’s not all at once.

The rule of three is a design principle and it’s said that things arranged in odd numbers are more memorable, effective and appealing than even numbers. Even grouping items together in fives, sevens and nines also works well.

So for instance your sofa cushions, I say three for a snug, smaller two seated sofa or five for a larger three seater, three large and two smaller to sit in front. My children hate the cushions, I style them all nicely then they come in like the Tasmanian Devil and throw them all on the floor and use my throw as a blanket, seriously…. I don’t know why I bother.
This same principle can also be extended to your bed scatter cushions too.

Then there’s your shelves grouping items together is more effective, three (or more) but remember odd numbers…such as vases, books and candles in varying sizes, textures and shades of colour will draw your eyes more.

So what is it about odd numbers?
It’s actually how our wonderful, unbelievable, magical brains work. When we see odd numbers of items our eyes are then forced to move around more and this creates a more interesting visual experience which makes things look more desirable and appealing.

The same goes for lighting, most kitchen islands have three pendants dangling above them to create an eye catching focal point above this particular area, also above dining tables this is a great way to create different zones and atmospheric areas especially in larger, open plan kitchen dining and living spaces.

This also applies to your side tables and coffee tables, styling different sized books or magazines placed together with smaller accessories arranged on top to add depth, interest and texture through different colours, shapes and finishes.

The rule of three principle isn’t just for your accent accessories you can also apply it to your furniture arrangements such as three bar stools at your kitchen island, grouping an accent chair or armchair with a pair of nesting tables, even with your art work by hanging three matching frames next to each other on a particular wall.
The main thing when styling your accessories or furniture is to have fun. It’s my most favourite thing to do in a design, I’m always changing my shelf displays and accessories around just to see how they would look in different places and it gives you a sense of something new in a space which in turn actually makes us happier.

I hope this blog has inspired you to look around your home to see where you may need to switch up your shelves, side tables, furniture and going back to school by counting your odd numbers to create eye catching, memorable homes and spaces.

Thank you so much for reading.

Stay Safe , get counting and have fun.

Back soon with more interior tips and tricks.

Stacy x x

3 Is the magic number.