The 70/30 Rule for Denver Interior Design
- High Tides Digital Marketing
- Jul 30
- 2 min read
How to balance timeless design with personal expression—beautifully.
If you’ve ever struggled to define your interior style or worried about mixing too many design ideas, there’s a simple rule that can bring clarity and confidence to your home: the 70/30 rule.
At Summer Kim Design, we use this principle to help Denver homeowners craft interiors that feel timeless, elevated, and uniquely their own—especially in a city where modern mountain homes, urban lofts, and historic gems exist side by side.
What Is the 70/30 Rule in Interior Design?
The 70/30 rule is a foundational design guideline that helps you strike a healthy balance between:
70% timeless, foundational design
30% trend-forward, personal, or unexpected design
This approach ensures your space feels grounded and cohesive—while still making room for character, creativity, and expression.
Applying the 70%: The Timeless Foundation
The 70% is your design backbone—these are the elements that should stand the test of time.
In a Denver home, this might look like:
A neutral color palette with earthy or mineral tones
Natural materials like white oak flooring, honed stone, or plaster walls
Clean-lined furniture with classic silhouettes
Thoughtful space planning with functional flow
Quality cabinetry and built-ins that anchor the room
These choices give your space longevity and sophistication, and they won’t feel dated in five years.
Adding the 30%: The Personal Layer
The remaining 30% is where we add soul, warmth, and play. These elements bring in your story—your travels, your collections, your love of art or color.
This might include:
A bold tile in the powder room
Vintage chairs reupholstered in a rich, saturated fabric
A sculptural light fixture over the dining table
Layered artwork or collected accessories
Trend-forward touches like fluted millwork or curved lines
This 30% is often what makes a home feel alive—and what guests remember.
Why the 70/30 Rule Works So Well in Denver
Denver is a city that blends modern energy with natural beauty. Homes here often reflect that balance—clean, open spaces grounded in nature, layered with unexpected textures, color, or heritage details.
The 70/30 rule works perfectly in this context:
It allows you to honor the character of a historic Wash Park bungalow or a contemporary Cherry Creek townhome
It keeps things elevated and restrained, but never boring
It gives you space to experiment, without sacrificing design harmony
Whether you're going for mountain modern, quiet luxury, or eclectic revival, this ratio brings a sense of rhythm and refinement.
How Summer Kim Design Uses This Rule
We begin every project by defining your 70%—your core aesthetic and values. Then we explore how to layer in a 30% that reflects your individuality, passions, and lifestyle.
Our interiors are never “just trendy” or overly traditional—they’re a blend. Thoughtful, personal, and tailored to you.
Final Thoughts on The 70/30 Rule for Denver Interior Design
Great design is about balance. The 70/30 rule for Denver interior design offers a flexible, elegant way to create a home that’s timeless at its core—with just enough room for joy, spontaneity, and self-expression.
Need help finding your 70/30? Let’s create a space that’s rooted in intention and full of personality—designed to grow with you, beautifully.
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