What to Know About the Feng Shui Water Element

Grey and navy blue living room interior with comfortable sofa and armchairs


KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images 

In feng shui, we use the five element system to evaluate and adjust the energy of a space. The five element system is a Taoist concept that is also used in other modalities including Chinese medicine, Chinese astrology, and martial arts. Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water together make up the five elements, which represent aspects of nature that interact in predictable patterns.

Each element represents a different type of energy, and is associated with certain qualities, colors, shapes, and materials. Incorporating one of the elements into your home’s design can be helpful if you want to invite more of that element’s qualities into your life.

Water is connected to wisdom, intuition, and fluidity. Adding more water can also be beneficial if you want to increase your social connections, or welcome more wealth and cash flow.

Water Element Characteristics

  • Qualities: Downward, flowing, shifting
  • Shape: Wavy, curvy, undulating, shapeless
  • Colors: Black
  • Season: Winter
  • Gua: Kan / Career Area

Here are a few of our favorite ways to add the water element into your home decor!

  • 01 of 09

    Fountains and Water Features

    feng shui fountains
    Peter Adams / Getty Images

    This is a very straightforward way to incorporate the water element. Water fountains are a really beautiful addition to a space, and the sound of a fountain is calming and soothing. They can also help to humidify the air in your home. Depending on the size and decor of your room where you want to put a fountain, you may want to look for a tabletop fountain, a fountain that sits on the floor, or one that mounts to the wall.

  • 02 of 09

    Aquariums or Fish Bowl

    Goldfish in an aquarium


    Ivan / Getty Images

    In feng shui, color is one of the easiest ways to bring the needed shift in the energy of your home or office. Water feng shui element colors are blue and black, so feel free to paint a feature wall in your North area in a fresh blue color. You may even consider painting a focal point with trendy black chalkboard paint.

  • 03 of 09

    Black Accessories

    black and white dining room

    Hector Falcon / Unsplash

    One of the easiest ways to add an element into your decor is through color. In feng shui, the water element is associated with the color black. A lot of people associate water with blues and teals, but these actually represent the wood element. Try adding black throw pillows, art, furniture, vases, or other accessories to add more water to your home. You can also try deep charcoal gray or navy blue.

    One of the easiest ways to add an element into your decor is through color. In feng shui, the water element is associated with the color black.

    Try adding black throw pillows, art, furniture, vases, or other accessories to add more water to your home. You can also try deep charcoal gray or navy blue.

  • 04 of 09

    Black Paint or Wallpaper

    black doors in a hallway

    Anjie Cho Architect

    While black might seem like an overwhelming color for a wall, it can create a really beautiful effect in some spaces. Whether you go for an entire room or just an accent wall, choosing a bold black for your walls can be an effective way to incorporate the water element.

    While black might seem like an overwhelming color for a wall, it can create a really beautiful effect in some spaces. Whether you go for an entire room or just an accent wall (or door), choosing a bold black for your walls can be an effective way to incorporate the water element.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Mirrors

    dresser with mirror, lamp and plants

    alexandra lammerink / Unsplash

    Mirrors are commonly used as feng shui adjustments for a variety of purposes. In general, they represent the water element. Similar to a calm, still lake, mirrors are reflective.

    Add a mirror to expand a room and add depth, which is another water element quality. If you’re lucky enough to have a window with a view of water, you can even place a mirror to reflect and increase the water element in your home.

  • 06 of 09

    Water Imagery

    Bedroom with a photograph of water

    Anjie Cho Architect

    Artwork or photography that includes water imagery can be a beautiful, soothing way to add the water element to your space. Find an image that you like, or get creative and make your own! To really boost the water element, display it in a black picture frame.

  • 07 of 09

    Textiles or Objects with Wavy Patterns

    blue vases
    DIY Showoff

    Another way to introduce an element is through shape. Water is connected to wavy, undulating and formless shapes. You can find this in the texture of an object. Or try looking for blankets, table linens, pillows, or other decor that includes pattern of undulating waves. Stick to soft waves, rather than patterns with sharp points—zigzags are connected to the fire element, not water.

  • 08 of 09

    Black Light Fixtures

    modern living room with black light fixture

    Jakob Owens / Unsplash

    Lighting has a big impact on how your home feels energetically, so it’s an important aspect of your home to pay attention to when it comes to feng shui. To incorporate the water element through your lighting, look for lamps or light fixtures in black or deep charcoal gray.

    Lighting has a big impact on how your home feels energetically, so it’s an important aspect of your home to pay attention to when it comes to feng shui. To incorporate the water element through your lighting, look for lamps or light fixtures in black or deep charcoal gray.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Black Front Door

    black front door of a brick house

    Annie Spratt / Unsplash

    Your front door is a great place to add the water element through color. Black is protective and can bring positive qi into your home, so it’s a great color for a front door.

    If your door is in the front center of your home, it probably falls in the Kan (Water) area of the bagua, which represents your career and path in life. This area is connected to the water element, which means that water colors  can be especially supportive here.

Watch Now: Simple, Inexpensive Ways to Decorate with Feng Shui