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Walk through most professionally designed homes and you'll notice something: rarely does a single flooring type span the entire space. But how do designers decide where to transition—and how many materials are too many?
This guide explains the rule of 3 flooring approach, so you can confidently combine materials, textures, and tones without sacrificing visual flow.
You'll learn what the rule of three means in interior design, see real-world flooring applications, and get expert tips for coordinating multiple materials in open-concept and traditional layouts.
The rule of 3 in flooring is a design principle that recommends using no more than three different flooring materials throughout a home to maintain visual cohesion. This guideline helps you create intentional transitions between spaces without overwhelming the eye.
Common applications include:
The rule prevents a "patchwork" effect while still allowing you to match flooring to each room's needs. In Spokane homes with open floor plans, most designers transition at natural break points like doorways or where ceiling heights change.
The rule of three is a design principle that uses odd-numbered groupings—especially three—to create balance and visual interest. This concept comes from art and design psychology, where triangular compositions guide eye movement naturally through a space.
In flooring specifically, the rule prevents two common mistakes. Too many materials fragment your space and make it feel chaotic. Too few materials can feel monotonous and miss opportunities to match function to form.
Professional designers use this as an intentional selection framework. Instead of choosing "whatever's on sale" room by room, they plan the whole home with purpose. Each material serves a clear function while contributing to overall flow.
In our Spokane design consultations, we see homeowners often pick four or five flooring types initially. They want hardwood here, tile there, vinyl in another spot, and carpet in two different styles. We guide them to refine down to three materials. The result always feels more cohesive and professionally finished.
The three-material limit forces smart decisions. You consider which spaces truly need different flooring versus which areas benefit from continuity. This creates a home that feels designed, not assembled. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association's design guidelines, thoughtful material selection and space planning are foundational to creating functional, beautiful homes.
The most common application pairs each material with room function. You might choose hardwood or laminate flooring for living and dining rooms, tile for kitchen and bathrooms, and carpet for bedrooms.
This works because each material matches what happens in that space. Tile handles water and spills in wet zones. Hardwood adds warmth to gathering areas. Carpet provides comfort where you walk barefoot.
Transitions happen at doorways or natural breaks. Use thresholds where materials meet to create clean lines. When possible, align grout lines with wood plank edges so the eye follows a continuous path even as materials change.
Sometimes one material type works best throughout your home, but you still need visual definition between areas. This is where tonal variation helps.
You might use luxury vinyl plank in three shades. Light tone for the main living area keeps it bright and open. Medium tone in the hallway creates a subtle path. Darker accent in the dining nook anchors that zone.
This approach keeps material consistency while defining spaces. You avoid the cost and complexity of transition strips. The effect feels intentional without being obvious.
Texture adds variety without introducing color chaos. Think smooth tile, hand-scraped hardwood, and textured carpet across your home.
Each texture creates a different tactile experience as you move through spaces. Smooth tile in entryways is easy to clean. Hand-scraped hardwood in living areas adds character. Plush carpet in bedrooms feels soft underfoot.
This works well in Spokane homes where neutral palettes dominate. When colors stay consistent, texture becomes your design tool for creating interest and separating zones.
Your brain processes odd numbers as more natural and complete. Even numbers feel formal or static. Three items create a sense of balance without symmetry—dynamic but not chaotic.
This principle appears across design contexts. One material feels boring and lacks dimension. Five materials overwhelm the eye and create visual noise. Three materials hit the sweet spot—varied enough to be interesting, simple enough to feel cohesive.
You see this pattern throughout interior design. Decorators use three paint colors per room. Stylists arrange three decorative pillows on a sofa. Table settings layer three height variations for visual appeal.
The same logic applies to flooring. Three materials give you enough variety to match function and define zones. You stay below the threshold where choices start competing for attention.
In our showroom, we often show clients side-by-side floor plans. One version uses two materials. Another uses three. A fourth uses four different flooring types. The three-material version almost always feels most finished without being busy.
Your eye knows where to rest. Transitions feel purposeful rather than random. The whole home reads as a single composition instead of a collection of individual room decisions.
Start by dividing your home into three functional categories: wet areas, sleeping areas, and living areas. Wet zones include kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and mudrooms. Sleeping areas cover bedrooms and closets. Living areas encompass everything else—family rooms, dining rooms, hallways, and entryways.
Pick your dominant flooring to cover 60% of your home. This is typically your main living spaces. The hero material sets the tone for everything else. Your two supporting materials then accent smaller zones at roughly 30% and 10% of total square footage.
All three flooring choices should share the same undertone. Go all warm (golden, honey, beige) or all cool (gray, taupe, blue-gray). Mixed undertones make spaces feel disjointed even when you limit materials. This is the most common mistake we see in our Spokane consultations.
The 60-30-10 principle applies to both color and material distribution. Your dominant floor covers most space. Secondary flooring defines key zones. Accent flooring highlights small areas. This prevents any single choice from competing for attention.
Visit our showroom to see how materials look next to each other. Then take samples home to view in your actual lighting. Morning light, afternoon sun, and evening lamps all change how colors read. Testing in your space prevents surprises after installation.
Three materials mean three cleaning routines. Hardwood needs specific cleaners. Tile handles different products. Carpet requires vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning. Make sure you're comfortable maintaining all three before committing to the mix.
Pro installer insight: We always photograph the subfloor layout before install. This lets us plan transitions at structural break points, not just visual ones. Seams land on floor joists for stability. Transitions align with doorways for clean sightlines.
Our flooring visualizer takes the guesswork out. You can see your space transformed instantly.
Upload a photo of your room. Select a product from our collection. Watch the transformation happen right away. The realistic rendering shows you exactly how different floors will look in your actual space.
Step 1: Upload your photo. | Step 2: Select a product. | Step 3: Instantly see the transformation!
Use the visualizer to narrow down favorites online. Then request those specific samples to test in person. This combination gives you both digital convenience and hands-on confirmation.
Try Pro Floors and Blinds Flooring Visualizer today!
Working with a local flooring store matters when you're coordinating multiple materials. You see all options in person under consistent lighting. You get layout-specific advice from experts who understand Spokane homes. You coordinate three materials from one supplier, which simplifies ordering, delivery, and installation timing.
Come prepared to make the most of your design consultation. Bring your floor plan or room measurements. Take photos of existing decor, furniture, and fixed elements like cabinets or countertops. Save inspiration images that show the look you want to achieve.
Spokane homes benefit from thoughtful flooring transitions. Many contemporary developments feature open layouts where kitchen, dining, and living areas flow together. Ranch-style and split-level homes common in established neighborhoods like Comstock, Lincoln Heights, and South Hill often have long sightlines through multiple rooms. Mid-century modern homes throughout the city blend indoor and outdoor spaces with large windows and open floor plans. The rule of three helps you define zones without chopping up these connected spaces.
Our process starts simple. We offer a free in-home measure to understand your layout and existing conditions. We map your zones together—identifying where each material makes sense functionally. Then we walk you through coordinated material trios in our showroom at 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1. Most clients finalize their plan in one visit.
Ready to create your perfect three-material floor plan?
Contact or call us at (509) 866-6776 to discuss your flooring project. Our experts will help you find the perfect floor for your home.
Let one of our experts help you find the perfect floor!
Spokane - 6018 E Broadway Ave Suite #1
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