How to Use Traditional Feng Shui Colors in Your Home Office or Workplace

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By midcenturymaven
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Work in harmony with nature.

Feng shui practices have existed in Asian culture for thousands of years. After post war mainland China turned away from her long held traditions feng shui began to work its way westward. Since then the challenge for us westerners has been to incorporate it into our non- traditional and ever changing living and working spaces.

Most everyone responds to color. Traditional feng shui colors come from nature and follow the cycle of the seasons. Use the following color suggestions to make your workplace a harmonious and productive one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Step 1

green plants and tall objects represent spring

Use green and the color of natural wood to represent the element of wood. This is the element for new adventures, new beginnings and new ideas. If you've just moved to a new home or office, or are starting a new business, buy a green plant. If you don't happen to have a green thumb, try botanical print curtains or a wall calendar depicting trees and plants to get a similar effect. Wood is a great feng shui remedy for overcoming any kind of creative block.
Step 2

red and pointy objects represent the frenzied activity of summer

Add the passionate element of fire with the use of red and magenta. Red is the energy of people and animals as well as anything that produces light and heat. As it is the most yang of the elements, a little red goes a long way. Select a red cell phone, laptop or mouse for action oriented yang tasks like calling, texting or emailing. Remember that whereas wood gives you the ideas, fire gives you the motivation to actually act on them.
Step 3

square objects reflect the balanced energy of late summer when day and night are equal

Consider yellow and the related earth colors of peach, brown and beige for stability and comfort and promoting trust with your clients and coworkers. If you want to make potential clients feel relaxed, put out yellow flowers in a terra-cotta pot or use a square ceramic dish as a business card holder. If you work alone, select a comfy tan office chair for yourself or treat yourself to bookends made of natural stone.
Step 4

circular and metallic objects relate to autumn.

Look to the element of metal to help you with discipline and maintaining standards of ethics and quality. It is represented by white, off white, metallic colors and light grey. If you've just moved into a new building with white walls and light carpets, this element is already present. It is the energy of concentration and precision needed for repetitive tasks. This is great energy to bring in when tax time comes around. If this element is lacking try decorating the office with a coin collection or use a metal waste paper basket.
Step 5

wavy shapes and small objects relates to water and winter, which carries the promise of spring

Remain calm when things get hectic with the use black, dark blue and transparent objects. These colors represent the energy of water, the most yin (passive) of the elements. Still water is the energy of deep introspection, whereas moving water the energy of communication and circumventing of obstacles. Dark blue in particular nurtures individuality, and reminds you to stay true to yourself. If you have a space you can occasionally retreat to such as a private bathroom or balcony, enhance it with shiny black river rocks in a glass bowl or a large black planter. If you're confined to a more or less communal work space, try drinking out of a black or dark blue coffee cup, or use a picture of the deep blue ocean as your screen saver.
Step 6

These are just a few ideas. Now that you understand the basic functions of feng shui colors, have fun incorporating them in a balanced way that reflects your tastes and desires.