Q&A Sunday: Using Colors in Your Space

Hi Anjie, Love your podcasts and I am in need of your guidance again :) I am aware that using certain colors may affect the energy of the room...for example, we should avoid using colors that are too fiery/energetic for the bedroom. What about the color blue? As it's also a water element, would it have a negative impact if I use too much of it in my home? We are thinking of pale blue walls for our kitchen and bedroom.

Samantha C., Malaysia

Hi again, Samantha!

First thing, you need not necessarily avoid fiery/energetic colors in the bedroom. For instance, if a couple needs to spice things up, it may be helpful to use red or fire colors to invoke more passion. It may counteract that “I’m too tired, let’s go to bed” feeling. Also, someone who’s very depressed and lethargic may benefit from energetic colors like red or brighter greens and blues if they need an energy boost. It’s not always good to sleep your way through life, right?

But in general, the bedroom is a place for rest and regeneration, so blues and greens are great healing colors for the bedroom. It’s all about the shade, though. I think that pale blue is perfect for a bedroom. and also fine for a kitchen, especially if you want to lose weight. Images of the ocean are relaxing and are the water element, however light blue is not water in BTB feng shui. Water is black and dark blue

One other thing to watch out for with the water images: water can also be depressing, dark and sinking, energetically. So if you or your partner has the tendency towards that, it would be best to have other sorts of images in the bedroom.

Too much water isn’t necessarily bad. For instance, I have a weak yin wood daymaster in my four pillars chart, so actually water really nourishes me. I live on the East River, and I love to vacation around water. And I’ve only lived in California and New York, on the coast near water. I absolutely love images of water and they really make me happy!

Taking care to use certain colors in your space can definitely be beneficial! Just be sure you also take into account the needs of people in your life who will be using each room. Different colors can cause different effects, but it always depends upon the person, just like feng shui!

by Anjie Cho


Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: A Yellow Rug for Health

I'm moving into a new place within a few weeks, and I've decided to dedicate the feng shui adjustments to Health, Knowledge and Abundance. I'm thinking of putting a yellow-toned, square rug in the center of my bedroom. Is it better to stay with a solid color, or can I use prints?

Michelle G., Phoenix, AZ

Hi Michelle,

Congratulations on your new place, and that’s wonderful that you are dedicating time and effort to put some feng shui adjustments into your new space! I take it you’re looking to adjust Health by placing a yellow-toned square rug in the center of your bedroom. This was a tip that I suggest in my book, 108 Ways to Create Holistic Spaces, and it’s a great way to tie things together in a room, visually and feng shui wise.

For your question, you need not stick to solids rugs; prints are fine. If you use square prints, that would reinforce the earth element. If you used triangular shapes, it would invoke the fire element which create earth. 

Since the Health area is in the center, and it affects all the other feng shui areas, it is a great choice as an adjustment because it will also support the Knowledge and Abundance areas. If you cant find yellow, you can also use brown, beige, orange or other earthy tones.

Please send in a photo of what you ended up with!

by Anjie Cho


Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: Bed Linens for Peach Blossom Luck

Hi Anjie. I read the part in your book about using the color peach to attract a romantic partner. I’m moving into a new place in just a few days, and I’ve been on the lookout for peach colored sheets. The closest I can find is coral. Will that work, or do I need to keep hunting for peach and buy some cheaper ones in the meantime? Finally, will peach enhance self love, or just bring romantic love?

Shanna G., Austin, TX

Hi Shanna, thanks for reading my book! The idea with the peach is related to “peach blossom luck” in feng shui. Peach is an auspicious color for attracting a romantic partnership. If you want to use this color for this reason, you can paint your walls peach, wear peach, or even purchase peach-colored linens as you’ve asked about. (Or you can even do all three!)

Coral is more of a bright, sunny orange color. With peach blossom luck, we’re looking for a more flesh-like color, with more white in it. A good guide would be Benjamin Moore 2014-60 Whispering Peach, shown here.

I advise you to find the right color sheets and do not buy the coral ones. They will not be a suitable substitute. However, if you have trouble finding the right color sheets, you can try other things that I’ve suggested above: painting the walls, wearing peach, or even just adding peach accents to your bed, like the throw in the photo above.

I’d also like to answer your very thoughtful question about self-love and the color peach. Since peach is somewhere in between a very soft pink and orange, color-wise, pink is related to the Relationship area while orange is related to the Health area of the feng shui bagua map. The relationship area does cultivate self-love. Both the relationship and health areas also connect to the element of Earth which is about self-care and boundaries. So, I would say yes. Just by taking the time to activate a feng shui adjustment to support your desire to have a partner is a kindness to yourself, and you need self-love to attract the right partner.

Last thing to remember, once you find your relationship you can let the peach go. My teachers have noted if you keep using the peach you may attract other partners! And you only need one, right? :)

by Anjie Cho


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


Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui questions!