Bundle of colored pencils in many colors — Photo by Salvatore Ventura on Pexels

Chances are, there are certain colors that you love, and others that you can’t stand. Did you know that the colors that you’re drawn to can give you clues about what kind of energy you might be craving more of? In feng shui, color is not only a way to change how your home looks, but also a tool to help shift the energy of a space.

There are several different ways to approach color and feng shui. One of these ways is to look at the five elements, also known as the five phases. Each of the five elements is a different type of energy that occurs in nature, and there are different colors associated with each of these elements.

Think about what color you’re most attracted to right now. If I asked you what your favorite color is, what pops into your head? Trust what comes up for you, and read on to learn what your color preferences might be saying about you.

Red or bright orange

If you picked a fiery color such as red or a bright, vibrant orange, you may need a little more warmth and inspiration in your life. To bring more of these fire element qualities into your home, painting your walls red is certainly an option, but usually that’s a little too much fire for most people. Fire in small doses does a lot and it can be very impactful. You can also introduce red in smaller ways through artwork, throw pillows, or fresh flowers, or you can even explore this energy by wearing red clothes or jewelry.

Brown, yellow, rusty orange, or earth tones

If you love yellow or neutral, earthy tones, you might need a little more nourishment, self care, or grounding. These colors are all expressions of the earth element. To connect to the energy of the earth, you can spend time laying on the ground, going for walks, working with ceramics, or doing any other activity that makes you feel really grounded. You can also bring these earth element colors into your home. I love fancy jasper or even a textured rug with earth tones to really embody the earth element qualities of support and stability.

White, light gray, or metallics

If you prefer these colors, you may be wanting more precision, clarity, joy, or elegance in your life. These are all metal element qualities. You can connect to metal energy by being careful and precise in what you say and speaking more clearly. The metal element can also be a reminder to connect to your inner child, so think about ways that you can bring a little more joy and play into your life. You can also incorporate more whites and metallics into your decor, like a white vase or brass fixtures.

Black, dark midnight blue, or charcoal gray

If you’re drawn to these water element colors, it could be a good time to look at things that are hidden, including your shadow side and any areas of your life that you have some fear of exploring. Water energy is also about diving deeper and cultivating wisdom. This doesn’t mean collecting information on the internet; instead, it’s about taking the time to connect with your ancestors, teachers, and lineage. All of us are connected by oceans, the great waters of the earth, and water encourages you to connect with all of the people who have walked this path before you. You can also bring more water energy into your home by adding these colors into your decor.

Green, teal, or blue

You may be attracted to growth, healing, and flexibility if you love these wood element colors. Imagine a blade of grass or the leaves of a tree having the flexibility to bend with the wind. The wood element also teaches us to have kindness and compassion for yourself and others, and to cultivate growth. You can connect to wood energy by incorporating these colors into your space, or adding a new green plant somewhere in your home.

I hope this gives you some insight into why you might be drawn to certain colors, and some inspiration for working with the energy of those colors!

by Anjie Cho