Feng Shui Fire Element Decorating Tips

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 12/15/20
bedroom with burgundy red wall and gold with blue accents

KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images 

Fire is one of the five elements, which is a tool that feng shui practitioners use to understand and create balance in a space. The other elements that make up this system are earth, metal, water, and wood.

The five elements describe the cycles of nature, and how different aspects of nature work together to stay in balance. Sometimes one or more elements are out of whack and need adjustment. The easiest way to work with the five element system is to bring in more of the element that connects to the energy you’d like more of.

What is the Fire Element?

In feng shui, the fire element is related to passion, inspiration, and expression. The fire element can bring passion, vitality, and warmth into your home.

Have you ever felt like you’ve lost interest in a project, job, or relationship? Maybe you need to add more fire! Incorporating the fire element into your home can also help if you tend to keep your emotions inside, and have a hard time expressing yourself.

You can bring more fire energy into your space through any of the following design elements:

  • Color: Red
  • Shape: Triangle
  • Materials: Candles, lighting, electronics, etc.

Read on to explore easy feng shui ways to decorate your home with the fire feng shui element.

  • 01 of 05

    Walls

    Red door in foyer

    Julien McRoberts / Getty Images

    Paint is one of the simplest and most impactful ways to transform a room and introduce an element through color. Fiery reds or oranges may be a little intense for a whole room, but they can look great as an accent wall. And everyone loves a red door!

    If that’s not your style, you can also look for a wallpaper with triangular or zigzag patterns, since those shapes are associated with the fire element as well.

  • 02 of 05

    Lighting

    credenza and shelf with an orange lamp

    Jean-Philippe Delberghe / Unsplash

    Lighting is the fire element, so you can boost fire energy by making sure your home is bright and well-lit. Candles are an especially powerful way to bring more fire into your space. Try adding a candle to your meditation space for focus, or to your dining room table for a warm, cozy glow.

    You can also incorporate light fixtures that direct the light upwards, similar to the way flames point up towards the sky. A torchiere is a stylish and practical way to add both light and fire energy to your home. Remember to clean your light fixtures regularly to prevent any dust and stagnant qi from collecting!

  • 03 of 05

    Home Decor Accessories

    Living room with gray sofa and abstract red and black art

    Fancy/Veer/Corbis / Getty Images 

    This can be a really fun way to add the fire element to your home, because there are so many options. Get in touch with your inner fire and express yourself! Starting smaller with accessories can also be a great way to get into decorating with the elements, if you’re not ready to commit to paint or wallpaper.

    Pillows and linens are an excellent place to start. Look for pillowcases, tablecloths, or blankets with red hues and geometric patterns that include triangles or zigzag shapes. You can also find artwork you love that incorporates triangular shapes, bright reds and oranges, or even images of fire.

    Feeling a little bolder? Make a statement with a red table, chair, or sofa.

  • 04 of 05

    Architectural Elements

    living room with high ceilings, fireplace, and herringbone wood floors

     Vostok / Getty Images

    Fireplaces are, of course, connected to the fire element. Feeling the light and warmth of an actual fire is a wonderful way to get in touch with the energy of the fire element. If you don’t have the proper ventilation for a real fireplace, a ventless fireplace is also a great option.

    Stoves are connected to the fire element as well. It's important to keep your stove clean and use it regularly in order to keep this fire energy strong and vibrant. Your stove is also connected to wealth, so caring for your stove may pay off in other ways as well!

    Since fire element is the triangular shape, a herringbone or chevron pattern in a floor or tile is also fire.

    Continue to 5 of 5 below.
  • 05 of 05

    Botanicals

    white kitchen with a candle and red peonies

    Cavan Images / Getty Images

    Botanicals, like cut flowers and potted plants, can be a cheerful way to bring nature inside your home.

    A vase of red flowers on your nightstand can bring a boost of passion to a relationship, and one on your desk can bring enthusiasm to your work. A bunch of red peonies in a kitchen can bring in health, vitality, and joy. Be sure to refresh them regularly, since dead flowers are a source of stagnant, unhealthy qi.

    If you prefer living, potted botanicals, look for a plant with red flowers or leaves. A few to look out for are red aglaonema, coleus, and polka dot plant. Amaryllis and poinsettia are also stunning options for the winter.

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