How to Decorate with the Elements of Feng Shui

Decorating with the elements of Feng Shui is not only a decorating style, it is a life choice. Originally considered "new age", Feng Shui has become widely accepted across the globe. What is Feng Shui exactly? The practice of Feng Shui originated in China over 2000 years ago. The theory behind the practice is that all objects in the universe have their own energy; it is believed that if this energy is not distributed properly the energies will clash causing negative energy. In this article we will look at the concepts behind Feng Shui and how they can be incorporated into your life.

Feng Shui is a balance between man and the environment; whether it be home, office, garden, or anywhere in between. A balance is created by using the 5 traditional elements of Feng Shui; earth, wood, fire, water, and metal. Each element is believed to hold an energy which will evoke certain emotions or feelings. When decorating in the Feng Shui style, these elements can be used to create positive energy in the environment. Placement of items such as furniture is also a key element of Feng Shui decorating but that's an entirely separate how-to article. In this article we will focus on the colors and objects that represent each element and how they are considered to affect the environment.

Earth

Earth represents home and stability. The colors of earth are: light yellow, beige, and light brown. These colors are believed to promote harmony and protection of relationships. Items can also be used to promote positive energy; objects made of ceramic and stone represent the earth element, patterns and shapes that are square, and the earth itself such as indoor plants are all good examples of how to incorporate the earth element into your Feng Shui decorating.

 Wood

Wood represents health, prosperity, and growth. The two main colors of the wood element are brown and green. Wood is something you most likely already have in your home, whether it be a book case, coffee table, or any other item made of solid wood. Stripes and leaf, flower, organic designs also represent the wood element. Art and sculptures of trees, flowers, or forests can also be utilized to bring the wood element into your environment.

Fire

Fire represents passion and energy. The colors of fire are: red, purple, pink, bright yellow and orange. Silk fabric is believed to evoke the energy of the fire element. The shapes of fire are: geometric or triangular shapes, animal designs and prints. Art and sculptures of sunrises and abstract shapes are said to represent fire as well.

Water

Water represents calm, freshness, and abundance. The colors of water are: blue and black. Gossamer fabric can be used in evoking the element of water as well as irregular and wavy shapes. Many department and home remodeling stores sale water features that can be displayed inside or outside the home and are a great way of bring the element of water into your home or office.

Metal

Metal represents precision, clarity, and efficiency; great for energizing the office. The colors of metal are grey, white, silver, gold, and copper. Metal shapes and patterns of polka dots and semi-circles represent the element of metal. Metal artwork, sculptures, and pictures frames are said to evoke the element of water.

Tip: Be mindful of the combination of elements within a room.  Try to focus on primarily one element per space.  For instance, placing fire elements and water elements in the same space could confuse the energy, leaving the space with a feeling of disorder as the two very different elements work against one another.

This article is for informational purposes only. I make no claims that by incorporating Feng Shui into your life, you will see improvement or a difference.