You may have heard that Feng Shui has something to do with color, and you are right. But, just how do you add Feng Shui to the equation when selecting colors for your home? I’m gong to debunk some myths as well as explain how to add a Feng Shui perspective to your paint color choices. If you keep these few simple tips in mind, you can choose your next wall or exterior color with a more energetic perspective and a lot more ease.
Feng Shui Myth: You should paint the front door red
Red is an auspicious color in China so, since Feng Shui is from China, red is often misunderstood. I’ve had people proudly tell me, when they find out I’m a Feng Shui consultant, that they’ve painted their front door red. This is perfectly acceptable but certainly not mandatory. Often my immediate response is, “Do you like red?” If not, find another color.
When we refer to Supporting Principle #1 – Live with What You Love, we can step back from this myth. It is much more important to paint the door a color you absolutely adore that raises your spirit every time you see it.
Feng Shui Myth: You must paint the room one of the colors associated with its Bagua area
The Feng Shui Bagua Map has different colors associated with each area, or gua. These colors describe the Five Element relationship held in each individual area. All colors of the rainbow are represented somewhere in the Bagua. They are noted on my Free Download Bagua Map at right.
Again, take into consideration that we always want to live with what we love. If you find that your bedroom is in the Relationship gua and you love pink or white, go for it. If you’re not a big lover of the pink hues (like me) and white isn’t your thing, then no need to worry.
As you can see, the colors associated with the Career gua are black and very dark hues. Although currently there is a trent to paint a small area with black chalkboard paint or an edgy feature wall dark maroon or sepia, few of us wants to paint all of our walls black.
So, if you don’t put the Bagua color in the gua, will some Feng Shui disaster strike? Take a calming breath and remember that the Feng Shui toolbox is deep and varied. Color is an enhancer for the gua, acknowledging its meaning and setting your intention for the energies represented there to be of the highest and best good for you and the other occupants.
There is more than one way to enhance a gua. In the example of the Career gua, which holds the Water element, the color black and all very dark hues (which look like deep water) are represented here.
I added a large, black hutch to my Career area rather than paint a wall. You could also add a piece of art depicting water, a water fountain, a black rug or furniture, or an asymmetrical item or display to name just a few ideas. All represent and acknowledge the element of Water and, hence, the Career gua.
Feng Shui Bedroom Color Tip: Skin tones and light tones support the most rest and relaxation
One third of our life is spent in the bedroom so we want it to support us in providing ultimate relaxation. Although I often see blues suggested as restful colors for a bedroom, I recommend soothing flesh tones like blush pink, coral, beige, mochas, light rusts or golds to promote peace and serenity in this most Yin space. This recommendation extends to children’s rooms as well.
I will say, if you’re currently sleeping blissfully and waking rested and energized in a bedroom that is not painted a flesh tone color, stay with what you have. At any sign of issues with rest, consider making Feng Shui adjustments to the bedroom.
Feng Shui Room Activity Tip: Match the room’s activity to the intensity of the hue
It’s a safe rule of thumb to make the color more intense and vibrant in the more active, or Yang, rooms and more subtle and refined in the more Yin, more quiet and restful rooms. Pair the intensity of the color with the activity level. Here’s a rundown:
Yin colors are darker, softer or more subtle.
Yin Rooms
- Bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Dining room
Yang Rooms
- Kitchen
- Living room
- Family room
- Game Room
So, if you love bright lime green, work it into your family room rather than the kids’ bedroom.
Feng Shui Exterior Color Tip: Take the five elements into consideration when choosing your exterior colors
When working with the Five Elements, we are trying to find a balance between them all. Humans are inclined to feel most harmonious when all five are represented in a space. Unfortunately, Five Element imbalances are quite common and it has been my job as a Feng Shui consultant to help my clients find a new balance. Here’s a few simple tips that can be applied to selecting an exterior color that may help on this front.
If you are in an area with ample vegetation or trees, avoid painting the structure green or blue. They represent the Wood element which is already fully represented in the plant material. Consider something in the gray, white or red tones to balance an overabundance of Wood.
If your home has a lot of peaks, slanted windows, or other types of pointed features that have sharp angles, the Fire element is heavily represented. In choosing the colors for this duplex my son is building, the facade is asymmetrical (Water element), the siding, fencing and surrounding landscaping are all wooden (Wood element), the peak of the roof and the top floor windows are pointed (Fire element), the lower windows, front door and garage doors are rectangles (Earth element) so we chose a Metal element color combination of two shades of grays to add in the missing fifth element so that all five elements were represented.
Color has always been a passion of mine. I love how just a touch of the right color can transform a space. Adding a bit of Feng Shui know-how to your wall and exterior color choices can make your space feel more complete, harmonious and supportive. Give these tips a try when you attempt your next painting project and we’d love to hear (and see) how it went.
If your project is more complex or you’d like a bit of guidance, I offer Color Consulting Services to assist you in identifying colors for your home you will absolutely love. Contact me to set up a virtual appointment.
As always, I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have. Just shoot me a comment below. Happy color!
Have fun,
Carol
Hi Carol! Thank you so much for your article. My parents had talked about Feng Shui when I was younger but I’m just now diving into practicing Feng Shui myself and it’s very much resignating with me during this time of my life.
I’m curious.. we have a beautiful painting in our master bedroom but it is bright, multi colored and a bit hectic. I sense heightened imagination and a boost in energy rather then tranquility when looking at it. Unfortunately it doesn’t fit anywhere else in our home and since my boyfriend’s brother painted it for us we would really like to keep it displayed. Are there any remedies to offset its imagination running energy so that we can keep it in our bedroom?
Hi Charlotte,
That’s great that you are starting to put some Feng Shui into your life! I hope you will share your adjustments and results with us soon.
As for your bedroom and what your perceive as a more active painting, let me first ask how soundly you and your boyfriend are sleeping. If there’s any challenges with relaxing and falling asleep easily, then the painting may be a part of the story.
Let’s take into account other aspects of the room and moderate as many other “active” distractions as possible. If there’s a tv, cover it when sleeping. It’s best that any exercise equipment be removed or covered if this is the only available space. Any “loud” or super-energizing patterns or colors could be replaced with more neutral tones. And, as always, clutter causes energetic “chatter” (including overstuffed closets and beneath the bed) so clear the clutter.
If the rest of the bedroom can have a calm feeling, then the painting will likely feel fine there.
These are some general guidelines that come to mind without seeing a photo of your space. Please let me know how they apply to your individual circumstances.
I’m happy to help you increase your practice of Feng Shui!
Hi Carol ,
My bed is positioned right underneath 2 horizon windows and unfortunately this is the only wall I can place my bed on. It has black out shade/blinds covering them at night and during the day I open them to let more natural light in. Is there anything else I can do ( Feng Shui wise ) for having my bed directly under a window ?
Hi Megan. Let me ask first, how are you sleeping? If your answer is, “Great!” the blackout shades may be all you need. If not, (and your bed is in the Power Position) you could install a rod and full length curtains. Make the rod long enough so the window treatments can be pulled back during the day and still leave your windows clear. When drawn at night, they will give a strong illusion of a “solid” wall behind the bed.
We live in a rental house that has a lot of peaks and slants, much like the one in your article. It was painted a light grey with a little dark grey trim, as you suggest, and it was attractive and comfortable. The owners just painted it a dark charcoal grey with light grey trim, and now it feels overwhelmingly heavy. We aren’t allowed to change the paint, though we can paint the door because it is one we bought. It’s white right now, and I thought of painting the outside of it a lemon yellow with accents of other colors. I also thought of putting a small bagua mirror on it to reflect back the heaviness. What do you think? Do you have other suggestions?
Annie,
I think you’re right on with a bright yellow front door. The dark charcoal is the Water Element, the peaks add Fire and the lighter gray trim is the Metal Element. The Earth Element the yellow represents should bring some balance to the situation. Nicely done!