The Many Changing Colors of Feng Shui

Although many years ago it wasn’t a primary thing to go over unless I was assisting a client with a remodeling, I was not asked often about the colors they may want to use in their homes or businesses. I typically saw traditional light and pale walls and white ceilings and doors and there didn’t seem to be much of an interest in what would be “Feng Shui Colors” to implement into their spaces.

Now it is something we go over with every consultation. People I believe are more in tune with colors and not the ones Feng Shui typically consider the “best” colors through out certain parts of your home or office. I myself get confused by the contradictory books on the subject and advice of different authors. I read two recently that suggests painting your front door black. Did that rule out the former principle of painting your front door red to bring in good fortune and auspicious chi? And what about clients who wanted a regular white door because that is what they are comfortable with?

I myself in the last several years have experimented much more with colors in my own space, colors that for one reason or another would not have been chosen as a “Feng Shui Color,” but I am perfectly in tune with them and I love the feeling. I think the use of colors lifts us up and brightens us, whatever our color choices are. And although I still have some strong suggestions for my clients, I am finding they are more in tune with choosing different and non traditional colors in almost every area of their space and they love it.

As for the front door dilemma, I would like a client to use their own good taste on what would best suit their likes and dislikes. While it is true to grace an entrance way, if my client wants to use white they can always hang a colorful decoration on it. And something lovely that spells out “Welcome” as that is what you truly wish people to feel upon entering your home. I don’t believe your door has to be either red or black as the books may suggest. Isn’t it said that Good Chi follows Good People?

The controversy about Feng Shui Colors for Bedrooms wages on. Don’t use red, you are told, it is too stimulating and won’t promote good and restful sleep. Except that the lights are off when you are sleeping and I can’t find a thing wrong with a stimulating bedroom while you are awake! My advice to my clients is simply that bedrooms are shared rooms and should require both people occupying the space to agree on a color they are graced and comfortable in. There are many other ways in our bedrooms to promote the restful sleep our bodies need to restore each night and I have seen absolutely beautiful red and burgundy bedrooms where people are sleeping well and awaken completely refreshed.

I was recently asked to give a consultation at a home that was undergoing extreme renovations. As I was speaking to my clients regarding what they hoped to achieve from the consultation they made me aware that the upstairs had been primarily completed. They had allowed their children to help choose the colors for their own rooms. As I went upstairs I saw a virtual palette of colors from the open doors in the hallway. Long gone were the pale pinks, blues and greens I am used to seeing in children’s rooms and instead they had chosen brighter, richer and more vibrant colors for their bedrooms. All the children loved their rooms, slept well, did not become overactive or have any difficulties studying. They all not only loved spending time in their own rooms they had helped “design” but also felt their opinions were valued for their very own spaces.

So what then are proper Feng Shui Colors for any rooms? I have seen reds in every type of room and love it. I have seen the white ceilings done away with and loved that as well. I have seen bright bedrooms, more vibrant shades and people truly expressing who they are through their use of color and I don’t discourage it when I see the results and the way my clients are feeling.

One final thought on painting a new color: through my own mistakes, I found that light dramatically affects the colors you have chosen during different times of the day into evening. I am a huge fan of Benjamin Moore color samples and choosing a day when you can see the color you are thinking of at different times of the day and at night. That way you will get all perspectives of the color and know what your room will look like under natural and artificial lighting. And you won’t have any unhappy surprises after the job is done.

Good luck with your color choices; they reflect your state of mind, enhance your moods and make YOU feel good in every room in your space! And isn’t that what good feng shui color is supposed to do?