Make it Golden: Using the Golden Ratio in Design

You’ve heard of the Golden Rule, but what about the Golden Ratio? Although this term technically comes from mathematics, it’s often used in the design world and, in a nutshell, means approaching your space in either one-third or two-thirds sections, rather than breaking it up into halves or quarters.

“The Golden Ratio provides a tangible framework to achieve balance, blending the scale of pieces for a more visually pleasing aesthetic,” says Havenly’s Managing Editor, Heather Goerzen. “Scale and proportion can be tricky to master—after all, designers get a degree studying such topics. But with this mathematical principle in the back of your mind, it can help you deconstruct layouts and plan furniture purchases with a greater sense of confidence,” Heather says.

Here are a few tips for how to use the golden ratio in various rooms of your home.

In the Living Room

Living rooms feature core pieces like a coffee table, sofa, accent chair, and artwork. When thinking about these objects in relation to one another, employ the Golden Ratio to help you choose the proper size. That means selecting a coffee table about two-thirds the size of the couch (if it’s a round coffee table, try one that’s one-third the size). An accent chair is often paired with a side table that’s a third the size, Heather says. That same one-third rule also holds up for art: “Choose a statement piece of art that covers a third of the wall,” she says.

In the Dining Room

Lighting is often called the jewelry of a room, and this is perhaps most evident in the dining room, where a chandelier can make or break a space. Luckily, the Golden Ratio can help when choosing lighting to go above the dining table. “Choose a chandelier that’s one-third or two-thirds the width of the table,” suggests Heather. This could also mean staggering pendant lights across one- or two-thirds the width of the table. If you go the pendant route, working in multiples of three will help create a more unexpected and interesting look than even numbers.

In the Bedroom

While symmetry just suits a bedroom—think about a well-made bed with matching nightstands flanking either sidethe Golden Ratio still comes in handy, particularly when designing vignettes. For instance, Heather recommends “staging a moment on your dresser with two vases, a larger one and a secondary vase that’s two-thirds the size.” The same goes for frames, artwork, jewelry boxes, and other personalized displays in your bedroom sanctuary.

Feel It Out

“Oftentimes, the Golden Ratio is simply a more formal lens to understanding what the eye itself would approve,” Heather explains. For example, if you hung a chandelier that’s one-third the width of the table and stepped back to evaluate it, it would just feel right and visually balanced, she says. It’s a guiding principle that will become more intuitive as you practice putting it into place — just like the art of layering.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Golden Ratio in interior design?

It's a proportion borrowed from mathematics that designers use to balance a room. In practice, it means dividing a space or sizing pieces in roughly one-third and two-thirds relationships instead of even halves.

How do I use the Golden Ratio when choosing a coffee table?

Aim for a coffee table about two-thirds the length of your sofa. If it's round, size it closer to one-third the sofa's length so it stays in proportion.

What size chandelier should I hang over a dining table?

Choose one that's one-third to two-thirds the width of the table. If you prefer pendants, stagger them across that same range and work in multiples of three for a more interesting look.

Do I have to measure everything exactly?

No. The Golden Ratio is really a formal way of describing what already looks right to the eye. Use it as a starting point, then step back and trust your instincts.

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