A Guide to Feng Shui Colors

By
Anjie Cho
Anjie Cho
Anjie Cho
Anjie Cho is a certified feng shui consultant, professional architect, and author with over 20 years of experience designing spaces. She co-founded the Mindful Design Feng Shui School and wrote "Holistic Spaces: 108 Ways to Create a Mindful and Peaceful Home."
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Updated on 02/26/20
Spacious living room with pinks, whites, greens, browns, etc
KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

As humans, we are visual beings. And because sight is typically the most prominent of all our senses, colors deeply affect us. We see color, and color vibrates energy.

In addition, colors connect us to metaphor and imagery. Humans are light lovers, as all living things yearn and grow towards the light. Therefore, we are strongly influenced by color because colors are literally vibrations of light.

Keep in mind that different cultures look at colors differently. For instance, in China, a grieving family wears white, while Westerners typically wear black. In addition, you may have your own specific color associations, which you should honor!

In this color overview, we’ll walk through colors from a feng shui perspective. You can use this guide to select colors for walls, furniture, artwork, pillows, and other home accessories. Color is a powerful and quick way to start changing your energy using feng shui.

  • 01 of 09

    Green and Blue

    green living room with lots of light
    FollowTheFlow / Getty Images

    Greens, blues, and teals are related to the element of wood. These colors inspire rejuvenation, growth, and new beginnings. It’s a very active energy, like a sprout growing from a seed and pushing out of the earth. These colors connect us to the restorative energies of nature. Think of the canopy of a tree protecting us. Bright blues connect us to the expansive spacious sky. 

  • 02 of 09

    Purple and Violet

    dramatic purple bedroom
    KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

    A combination of fiery red and spacious blue make purple and violet, which are connected the crown chakra. In feng shui, these colors inspire and invite abundance and royalty. Purple-violet is connected to wealth, prosperity, and self-worth.

  • 03 of 09

    Yellow, Orange, and Brown

    neutral and earthy bedroom
    Astronaut Images / Getty Images

    Earthy and neutral colors like yellow, orange, and browns ground and support us. If you need a bit of nurturing and help, earthy colors are the way to go. Think of Mother Earth and how soil can enrich and provide nourishment for plants and trees. The earth also takes in the things we need to let go of. For instance, like the process of composting or decomposition, the earth can take what’s no longer needed and transform it into something fertile.

  • 04 of 09

    White

    white and spacious ktichen
    Caiaimage/Charlie Dean / Getty Images

    There are many shades of white, and in feng shui they symbolize purity and precision. White is related to the metal element and inspires clear seeing, clarity, and cleansing. White is also recommended for kitchens, as it’s a perfect canvas for the vibrant colors in fresh foods. As with most things, balance is also important. Too much white can be too lifeless, too yin.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below.
  • 05 of 09

    Gray

    Gray dining room with chairs, lighting and neutral colors
    KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

    Gray is a mixture of white and black, like yin and yang. White is clarity, while black is wisdom. Gray is related to the helpful people and travel area of the feng shui bagua map. If you need some support or want to travel more, this is a great color to use.

  • 06 of 09

    Dark blue

    dark blue bedroom with starry motif
    KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

    Dark blue is connected to the self-knowledge and skillfulness in feng shui. Think of gazing upward into the vast night sky, calm and serene. This color helps you with self-cultivation and gaining understanding. 

  • 07 of 09

    Red

    Home interior with red decor

    Bulgac / Getty Images

    The most auspicious color in feng shui, the power of red is obvious. Red can be used to invite prosperity, wellness, and luck. Red is related to fire energy, fame, and passion.  A little goes a long way, so don’t be afraid to add a little red into your home to inspire and revitalize you.

  • 08 of 09

    Black

    living room and sofa with black accents
    KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

    Wisdom is evoked with the color black. If you mix all the colors of the rainbow together, you get black. Hence, black is inclusive and contains knowledge of all things. The color black is also related to the element of water. Water is vast and deep. It flows, connects and provides life. Use black sparingly and wisely to open you home up to more wisdom. Black is also one of the lucky feng shui colors for the year of the Water Tiger.

    Continue to 9 of 9 below.
  • 09 of 09

    Pink

    feminine pink living room
    KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images

    Pink is a softer color that can invite connective, empathetic energy. Pink can invite partnerships and love and help cultivate self-care into your life. Pink is wonderful color to add to your home if you’re looking for a romantic relationship or if you want to work on your relationship with yourself.