Feng Shui is typically thought of as the rearrangement of furniture and objects in one’s space in order to create positive changes. And this is correct, but there is more to this ancient practice than just moving your couch. In Feng Shui, color plays an important role as well to help increase the energy in your living or working environment, allowing things to come more easily to you and allowing your life to become peaceful, balanced, and serene. And using colors is one of the easiest ways to utilize Feng Shui without spending a lot of money or time in the process.

There are two main Feng Shui color categories that will concern you: yin and yang colors. In general, yin colors are associated with calming one’s energy, promoting healing, and relaxing. You might want to use these colors in your bedroom or in a child’s nursery in order to promote peace and stillness, for example. One of the primary colors that is associated with yin energy is blue. Blue is the color of rolling oceans and a clear sky, instilling the sense of serenity. The color blue is also helpful in terms of promoting healing during illness or a recovery period, so it’s effective in rooms where this is taking place. But in addition to these other associations, blue is also considered to be effective for increasing wisdom energy.

Another Feng Shui color in the yin category is black. While most people don’t consider black to be a very soothing color, it is excellent for increasing overall Feng Shui energy. For example, black is associated with the promotion of career and employment energy a well as protection and power. When used with a metallic color, it becomes even more focused and effective. Like the color blue, black can also be used to promote healing. White is another yin color that can help with confidence and matters of pureness. You might also want to try purple in your decorating plans, as this yin color is associated with an awareness of spiritual matters.

The yang Feng Shui color spectrum is associated more with energy and vibrancy. These are colors that help to balance the calmer yin energy, while also increasing the overall energy in a home. One of the most often used colors in Feng Shui is the color red. Red is related to increasing energy, invigorating the body, and creating excitement. However, because it is so powerful, it can also be overwhelming, so moderation is something to keep in mind. Another yang color is yellow, working to aid in friendliness with others. A word of caution with yellow: it can cause anxiety when used in larger quantities. If you find that you need more structure or organization, you will want to add orange to your decorating scheme. It creates inspiration for those that are in creative fields and increases energy for writing and art. Other yang colors include gold, mauve, and maroon, each helping with things like romance, luck, and money.

When you’re learning about Feng Shui color practices, you will want to recall again the importance of balance. Filling a room with red might seem to be a wise decision if you want to increase your energy, but too much stimulation can also leave you feeling drained and fatigued. To offset these kinds of negative effects, you will want to look to combinations to help you create the right energy in your home. For example, combining black with metallic colors can help with your career path. Silver or gold combined with white helps increase the energy of confidence. You might want to use this kind of color combination in your office meeting room or in your family’s living room to help increase positive interactions.

Subtle colors like beige and tan work well with yang colors and help to balance the overall energy. These combinations work well in offices and bedrooms where balance is key. A color like lavender can also help in this regard.

But you need not limit a Feng Shui color change to the inside of your home or office either. Adding new colors to the exterior of your home can also help to create a positive energy balance as well. For example, a home that might face in a northerly direction can be painted white, blue, or gray to help increase the home’s energy. For homes that face east, earthy or metallic colors are preferred.

Feng Shui color applications can help in a variety of ways in a variety of situations. You can also wear the appropriate energy colors on a day to day basis, filling your closet with energy increasing outfits that allow the promotion of Feng Shui color no matter where you go. Perhaps that’s why some people call certain outfits their ‘power suits.

Author's Bio: 

Candace Czarny, ASID, CFM, LEED AP, "Award Winning" Interior Designer, Feng Shui Expert & Author of 20 Minute Feng Shui is continually ranked "Top 10" in Google and Yahoo. Clients testify of dramatic results!