An Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui - Part 1

Anjie Cho February 1, 2023

Colors are some of the most important elements in creating holistic, nurturing spaces. The colors in our spaces can affect us, both emotionally and physically, and not all colors produce the same effect, based on our individual personalities. In feng shui, each color or color family also represents certain emotions and areas on the bagua map.

If you're working to adjust the energy in your home, office or school, take a look at color characteristics and give some thought to which ones are most appropriate for your personal needs.

Greens, Teals and Blues

Greens, teals and shades of blue are related to the Wood element and the New Beginnings area of the feng shui bagua and associated with hope, new beginnings and growth. If you're looking for a calming space or one that supports healing, whether physically or emotionally, these colors are for you!

Greens and blues invoke the energy of nature and can be very refreshing (think brighter colors) as well as promote rest (think lighter, softer hues). To incorporate these colors into your space, try painting a wall with a carefully selected shade, adding green plants or placing a Jade stone in the New Beginnings area of your space.

Purples and Violets

Just as greens and blues are symbolic of healing and growth in feng shui, the color purple is associated with wealth, abundance and often elegance and royalty. It's a very auspicious color in feng shui and can be used to attract wealth or self-worth.

As a combination of two very strong colors (passionate red and calming blue), purple has great potential to balance you and your space and bring harmony and peace to both.

To bring some purple to your home or office and promote abundance, use an appropriate shade of purple or add amethyst crystals or purple flowers.

Yellows, Oranges and Browns

Shades of yellow, orange and brown are representative of the qualities of nature. Deep, earthy, pale and neutral tones are generally calming and nurturing, but brighter colors, and especially shades of yellow, may be too stimulating for a relaxing atmosphere.

If you're thinking of adding these colors to your space, remember to save brighter, more intense shades of orange and yellow for areas like the kitchen (to arouse appetite) or the center of your home (to activate the Health area in the feng shui bagua).

There are, of course, many more colors on the color wheel, and the best colors for you depend on your unique situation. You can find more details on the feng shui symbolism of each color in my book, "108 Ways to Create Holistic Spaces."

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Feng Shui for Your New Apartment - Round 3

Anjie Cho January 1, 2023

So you're moving! We've already talked clearing your space, laying the bagua, adding plant life and more, but there are still a few more ways to use feng shui in turning a new apartment into a sacred space. Let's hang out in the bedroom (mostly) for a bit!

Balance Your Bed

Whether you're currently in a relationship or hoping to one day be part of a healthy couple, it's important that your bed reflect this. If you shove your bed against the wall, you're telling the universe you don't have room for anyone else! Instead, do your best to center your bed in your space, allowing equal room on each side, and if you're opting for a nightstand, make sure to put one of comparable size on the other side of the bed too. This set up lets the universe know that you're ready to welcome another person into your life and your space.

Avoid EMFs in The Bedroom

These days we're surrounded by technology. Some of us use it almost every minute of the day, and many of us even use our phones as alarm clocks. While this is ok if it's your only option, it's best to try to avoid any electronic items in the bedroom. Over time, the radiation that EMFs (electromagnetic forces) give off can result in health problems like fatigue, extra stress and more. Your bedroom should be a place of relaxation, so if you can, leave the television, laptop and cell phone in another room. If you need your cell nearby for work or as an alarm clock (get a battery operated one!), aim to place it at least five feet from your head.

Hang Art At Eye Level

There are both practical and feng shui reasons why you'd want to hang any art, in your bedroom or elsewhere, at eye level. For obvious design reasons, hanging art at eye level allows the eye to rest easily and view art comfortably, without having to crane the neck up or lean down. In feng shui, hanging artwork too low can bring down your energy and the energy of your space. Here are some tips for hanging art successfully in your new place!

I've shared several tips, all very basic feng shui adjustments, for moving into a new apartment and creating a holistic space. Of course, each space, and the person or people in it, is individual, so there are always more in-depth remedies depending on the person. If you're interested in those, I would definitely recommend seeking out a feng shui professional for specific services, but you can absolutely get started with these tips!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Feng Shui for Your New Apartment, Round 2

Anjie Cho December 1, 2022

Photo and design by Anjie Cho Architect PLLC

Earlier on the blog we talked moving into a brand new place, clearing the space, laying the bagua and more. Of course, there are many small feng shui adjustments we can make when turning a new apartment into a holistic, nourishing home - so many it's a bit much to cover in one post! So this week we're back with a few more tips on saying "Hello!" to your new home in feng shui-style.

Add Nine Plants

Yes, nine! It may seem like a big number, but adding plants to your new space is a great way to welcome more life energy. Plants symbolize the Wood element in feng shui, which relates to new beginnings, life, joy and flexibility, all of which are wonderful for creating a new holistic space. Plants also bring nature into your home, which has been proven to increase quality of life, and work tirelessly to enhance indoor air quality. Why nine? It's the most auspicious number in feng shui!

Add a Welcome Mat

Plants welcome positive energy into your spaces, but they aren't the only way. Pick up a black "Welcome" mat, about the same width as your door, and place it at the main entrance to your new home. Keeping a welcoming entrance is great not only for you, when you come home, as well as your guests, but also for positive chi! Black is the most absorbent of all colors and can attract, absorb and transfer positive energy into your holistic space. In addition, black is representative of the Water element, which can increase career success when used in this area.

Fill in Cabinet Space

We're not talking the inside of cabinets, here. Depending on how the kitchen and bathroom are designed in your new apartment, you may or may not have empty space between the top of your cabinets and the ceiling. If you do, it's important to pay attention to these areas, as they can serve as a space for dead energy. Dead or stagnant energy in your spaces can manifest itself as problems with health and prosperity, and no one wants that! To adjust for this, add a plant (maybe one of the nine mentioned above!) or a personal item to this space to transform it into a place of positive energy.

Hopefully your new apartment is starting to feel more and more like a holistic space every day! These feng shui tips are pretty easy to implement but can make such a huge impact! If you've just moved and are trying out these adjustments, please share your experience and / or send us photos. We love to see the difference feng shui makes in your lives. :) And don't forget to keep an eye out for the final set of feng shui tips for your new space!

by Anjie Cho