Feng Shui Colors: A Room-By-Room Guide

One of the least expensive ways to give your home new life is a fresh coat of paint. Even those who live in apartments can often convince their landlord to let them paint, as long as they return the walls to plain white before they leave. The investment is minimal -- less than $80 buys three gallons of paint, rollers and brushes to do a few rooms.

But what are the best colors to paint using the principles of Feng Shui? It depends on the room. When you select colors for the floor, walls, and ceiling, make sure to employ the Five-Elemental Cycle using three colors. Also, don't think a ceiling has to be white; light beige or even brighter colors that complement the walls add depth and creativity to a room.

Entryway/Foyer - Small entryways are enhanced by lighting and light, bright colors. Off-white and shades of blue, pink or green represent hope and welcome. Green, black or red are auspicious colors for the front door. As with a fence, avoid a white front door. You can learn more about Feng Shui in your front entrance in this article.

Kitchen - The best color for a kitchen is white, the color of purity and cleanliness. White permits the food's true character and colors to show through -- bright reds, greens and yellows on a white pallet. The kitchen's basic element is fire, and metal (represented by white) overcomes fire to better balance the chi.

Avoid black and gray (water element), because it destroys fire, and avoid red, because it will make a kitchen too “hot,” literally and figuratively. A red kitchen may be prone to fires while the cook will be prone to temper flare-ups. Read more about Feng Shui in the kitchen.

Bedroom - The color of your bedroom will depend upon your age, personal goals, and whether your room is the master bedroom or not. Pink is best for a master bedroom, because the marriage position on the bagua is placed between fire (red) and metal (white), and pink is the blending of these two colors. Pink or red sheets and blankets ensure a “fiery” marriage bed.

For single people seeking a mate, pink or peach is an auspicious color for the bedroom.

For anyone else, subdued hues of greens and blues promote rest. You can learn more about how to use Feng Shui in the bedroom in this article.

Children, on the other hand, thrive in rooms of green, which create peaceful calm and serenity while encouraging learning and knowledge. This article talks about Feng Shui in a baby's nursery.

Dining Room - If you have a dining room where you eat and entertain as a family, pinks, greens and blues work best to encourage conversation and stimulate the palate. There's a reason many restaurants have green decor -- it stimulates the appetite. Avoid blacks and whites unless the goal is to lose weight.

Bathroom - The bathroom should be a sanctuary where you go to prepare yourself to face the day or retreat at night to prepare for sleep. The best colors for a bathroom include lighter shades of green, blues, pink, or white. Black or gray, which correspond to the water element, make good accent colors. Or, you can use pastels or white with bright accents to enliven the space. Remember, as one of the first rooms you visit in the morning, the bathroom is one of the three most important areas of the home in Feng Shui.  

Painting your home in pleasant, Feng Shui colors helps balance the chi within yourself, members of your family, and your home.

How Spring Cleaning Can Improve The Feng Shui In Your Home

Black Sect Feng Shui deals in both the mundane as well as the emotional and spiritual. Feng Shui consultants use intuition to assess the flow of chi through a space, and, if we find a home unsuitable, seek ways to remedy problems. We also emphasize the importance of intention when we implement a specific Feng Shui cure.

It is with this intention in mind that it's important to talk about clearing clutter from a space -- and what better time to think about spring cleaning than the start of spring?

Benefits of Reducing Clutter
A clean and uncluttered home makes guests feel welcome and makes its inhabitants comfortable. It's often easier to think clearly in a neat and organized room -- and that includes the desk in your home office.

Clutter represents stagnant, confused chi. It may be difficult to make a decision in a cluttered home, or even to make positive moves toward growth and personal development. Our clutter also has our emotions tied to it. We may not want to let go of it for emotional reasons -- and that leads to our feeling “stuck” in our life.

Good Feng Shui is characterized by free-flowing chi -- not too fast, and not too slow. If a human being can't walk across a room because furniture is filling the space with no wide pathways or toys, books, and random clutter blocks the path, the chi can't flow freely either.

Clutter in Your Attic, Basement or Garage
When we own a home, we tend to place objects we don't use -- or intend to some day throw away -- in our attic, garage or basement. Even if we can't see it, this clutter can weigh us down.

Clutter in the Bedroom, Kitchen and Entryway
Clutter in these three areas is the worst of all when it comes to free-flowing chi and Feng Shui, because these three areas of the home are the most important in Feng Shui. Clutter in the bedroom can prevent a good night's sleep.

In Feng Shui, the kitchen represents our career success and how others perceive us -- getting rid of clutter in this area and always making sure appliances (especially the stove) are clean, can lead to increased wealth and career success.

Our entryway creates a first impression and affects the chi that flows through the rest of the house. If the chi is blocked by clutter at your front door, it can't move freely through the rest of your home in a positive, life-affirming way.

How to Clear the Clutter
Begin by sorting through your belongings. Does everything serve a purpose? That purpose may simply be that it makes you happy -- that's okay. Objects that don't serve a practical purpose or bring you joy when you see them should go. Recycle, donate or, if you truly can't find a use for it and don't think anyone else can, either, throw it away.

With the remaining objects, find a place for everything and put it there. Keep everyday items in easy to reach places. Store clothes and other objects used seasonally neatly in closets, the attic or garage, where you can find them easily when you need them.

When you're finished using something, put it back. It really is as simple as that to keep clutter at bay and let chi flow freely through your home.

Feng Shui Your Bedroom to Take Control of Your Life

Once you've found the Central Palace of your home, you should also consider the central line. This is the line that runs through the central palace, dividing your home into the front half and back half. Your main entrance is located in front of the central line. Rooms such as the bedrooms, kitchen and bathroom may be located behind the central line.

Feng Shui Placement of a Master Bedroom
Since the master bedroom is one of the three most important areas of a home in Black Sect Feng Shui, its placement is especially important.

The master bedroom, along with other bedrooms, should reside behind the central line, in order to give its inhabitants greater control of what's going on in the household, as well as in their life. A bedroom behind the central line also offers other benefits, both spiritual and mundane.

A bedroom located behind the central line:

- helps inhabitants sleep better, by separating the yang activities of the outside world with the inner sanctuary (yin qualities) of the master bedroom

- offers more privacy for intimate activities, as well as a sense of privacy and security in the home

- reduces the danger of robbery

- reduces the chances of having difficult or misbehaving children, by putting the head of household more in control of the home and its inhabitants

- gives the master of the house a sense of control, just as a CEO leads a company from behind-the-scenes, with a desk behind his subordinates, and a general observes and controls his army from the rear

Feng Shui Cures for a Master Bedroom in Front of the Central Line
If a master bedroom resides in front of the central line of a house, at least one of the people in the room may not sleep at home very often, and may even have a bed in another location, sometimes implying a marital affair.

Additionally, the “master” of the house may feel more like a servant or doorman. The bedroom's placement may affect the person's sleeping habits, as they will not feel great separation from the yang activities going on outside the home. It could result in feelings of restlessness.

A bedroom forward of the central line puts the people who sleep there in a subservient position, and may result in the room's inhabitants feeling out of control of their own destiny and fortune.

If you cannot move the master bedroom because of the layout of your home, you can position a mirror on the interior wall of the bedroom, facing toward the front of the house, so the image of the bed appears deeper in the home than it really is.

A Second Floor Bedroom
A bedroom on the second floor -- again, as long as it is behind the center line -- is good Feng Shui, unless it feels so far removed from the rest of the home that those who sleep there feel out of control. If an upstairs master bedroom feels far removed from the front entrance of a home, hang a shopkeeper's bell on the front door or on the door frame. It will ring and alert the master of the house to the comings and goings below, resulting in a sense of greater control.

You can read more about how to Feng Shui your bedroom for success, love and more in this article.

Feng Shui Don'ts for the Bedroom

Is bad Feng Shui in your bedroom hurting your love life and relationships? If any of the following describes your bedroom, making a few changes with the intention of attracting and keeping love in your life can help.

Don’t: Place photos of family and friends in your bedroom. If you must have a photo in your bedroom, it should be of you and your lover during a happy moment. Abstract representations of couples, as well as any items in pairs, are also good.

Don't: Have a home office or lots of books in your bedroom. Your bedroom is supposed to be used for two things: rest and romance. You don’t want items that remind you of work, learning, or finance in this space. If you have a very small apartment, and have little choice of where to place your desk, place a partition in the room so you can’t see the desk from your bed.

Don't: Keep exercise equipment in your bedroom. Just like a home office, exercise equipment creates too much energy for a space that is supposed to be a sanctuary. Exercise equipment in the bedroom can make you feel restless – or guilty if you’ve missed too many workouts.

Don't: Place mementos (especially love letters from exes) under the bed. The space under the bed should be kept clear. If you are tight on storage space, it’s okay to store a small box with blankets, bedding or clothing beneath the bed – but only soft items.

Don't: Have only one nightstand. If you want balance in your relationships, create balance in your bedroom. There should be room to approach your bed from either side – don’t position it with one side against the wall. You should have two nightstands, as well as two lamps. Look for other opportunities to place “two” elements in the room to attract love in your life. For instance, a set of matching candle holders or similar artwork in matching frames hung symmetrically, create a balanced look.

Learn How Mirrors in the Bedroom Can Enhance Your Relationship

Many Feng Shui experts warn against placing mirrors in the bedroom. Multiple myths and superstitions surround mirrors. People who are against placing mirrors in the bedroom often have one of three arguments:

1. Some people believe that when you sleep, your spirit and energy leaves your body. As your energy or spirit returns, it may get confused and enter the mirror rather than your body.
 
2. Some people believe mirrors in the bedroom effectively “double” the number of people in the room and can lead to extramarital affairs.
 
3.  People claim that if you wake up in the middle of the night and spot yourself in the mirror, you may get startled and have a hard time falling asleep again.

However, these are simply beliefs steeped in superstition. From my point of view and practice, mirrors in the bedroom can actually enhance a relationship.

A large round mirror on the wall above the headboard can relax the eyes, reduce tension and improve a marriage. Add a mirror near the foot of the bed, and you’ll see an infinite doubling of the image, which can provide a sense of joyful expansion, completion and advancement. Both options can actually improve communication with your loved one. Mirrors can also be placed on the left and right sides of the bed for a similar effect.

One thing to be cautious of, however, is that the bedroom is yin energy and mirrors can be considered yang. Be careful about energizing the bedroom too much with a mirror that reflects morning sunlight into the room.

Aside from that one consideration, however, mirrors in the bedroom can actually relax couples and enhance relationships. Place mirrors in the bedroom wherever you feel comfortable doing so.

Is Your Bed Hurting Your Love Life?

Are you sabotaging your relationship, or hurting your chances at finding love, because of negative Feng Shui in your bedroom? Good Feng Shui in the bedroom begins with the bed.

Proper placement
To insure a restful night's sleep - which will help all other areas of your life fall into place - set your bed in the command position of your bedroom.

The proper command position puts the bed on one of the opposite walls of the door, but not directly in line with the door. Your sleep may suffer if your bed is in line with the door. You can see examples of three command positions here.

Headboard
A bed's headboard should be solid, firmly affixed to the bed frame, and made of one piece of wood or fabric. A headboard represents stability in an existing relationship as well as the promise of future romance.

Many people - especially men and tall people - don't like foot boards. Some say it makes the bed feel like a coffin. You don't need one, but if you have one it should be no higher than the mattress.

Size matters.
A twin bed is too small for two. A full is better, but may not provide enough room for two adults. Whether you have already found the love of your life or want to attract a lover, a Queen size bed is the optimal size. A king-size bed leaves no room for advancement. Your next step might be back down to a twin.

No squeaky springs
You don't have to pay a lot to get a top-quality mattress, but your mattress should be in good condition for a better night's sleep. No one wants to sleep on a torn or stained mattress, and squeaky springs can definitely put a damper on your love life.

The 3 Most Important Feng Shui Areas of a Home or Apartment

In Feng Shui, as in life, certain factors or areas must take priority over others. In Feng Shui, the three most important areas of a home or apartment are:

- the main door
- the kitchen
- the bedroom

If positive energy (chi) collects outside and flows into these spaces, you’ll bring money and opportunities into your life. If these areas are affected by a lack of chi or negative chi, any other positive changes you make won’t have as much of an impact.

This article explores basic ways you can use Feng Shui for these three areas.

Feng Shui your Front Door
The front door represents the way life comes to us -- our opportunities and possibilities. It represents the yang dimension of experience. It is important to have a good main door and entrance to allow money, wealth and opportunities to come into your space and life. If the chi or life energy is not able to get into your house to circulate freely, it won’t matter much what’s going on in other areas within the space.

The main door is the chi mouth of the house. Make sure nothing is repelling, expelling or blocking the chi from entering the house. Additionally, make sure no objects that exude Sha chi (killing chi) point to the front door. This may include a corner of a building from across the street, a t-intersection, an item blocking the door or directly in line with the front door. The question to ask yourself regarding these items is, how far is it from your property.

To evaluate your entrance:

- Stand at the front door and look out. Verify that no trees, lampposts, mailboxes, pillars, planters or other items sit in direct line of the door. These items can impact your ability to take advantage of incoming chi and may negatively impact the health of your household.

- Stand outside your front door and look in. This area directly in front of the property is the Bright Hall (Ming Tang). Chi settles here and collects before the residents receive it. Make sure the chi can collect and circulate. Avoid placing anything here that repels, squeezes or blocks the chi from entering the space. You can learn more about how to Feng Shui your entrance here. 

Feng Shui your Kitchen
The kitchen – specifically, the stove – represents our source of food and our ability to gain food through our work and careers. The stove has a great deal to do with our public life, our career, the recognition we receive, and our ability to manifest our goals and dreams. As a result, make sure the top of your stove is clean and all of the burners are working correctly. Use your stove regularly, even if just to boil water for tea. And try to use all of the burners rather than just your favorite burner. 

If there is poor chi in the kitchen, this could result in career issues, money difficulties and bad health. Take a moment to look at the distance between your stove and sink – if there is a gap of less than two feet between the two, this can create a clash of elements between fire and water.

Feng Shui your Bedroom
We spend one-third of our lives in the bedroom. It’s a space to heal, rejuvenate and relax, improving our health and vitally. Our bed is energetically connected to each of us. Sleep is a yin condition -- that the bed shelters, comforts and enables us to truly rest illustrates its great importance.

When evaluating this space look not only at how the Chi is entering the room, but evaluate where your bed is located in relation to the incoming chi and place the bed in a command position.

Your bedroom should be square or rectangular; this represents stability and makes the room suitable for sleeping. Avoid rooms that are round, L-shaped, triangular, or other odd shapes, as they do not allow a balanced flow of chi. Learn more about how to turn your bedroom into a peaceful sanctuary.