Color can cultivate powerful emotions. Dial up the vibes in your space by mindfully using bold hues throughout your home based on feng shui principles.

“Strategically placing feng shui fire colors in certain living spaces can unlock the magic of energy flow in your home,” says Brittany Berman, owner of Serenity & Shui and Feng Shui home design expert based in Colorado’s Vail Valley. Feng shui is the art of arranging your living space to create balance and a harmonious energy flow throughout your home. Color plays a significant role in achieving health, happiness and prosperity in this practice.

Have you ever noticed how color affects the feel of a room? Neutral colors may evoke a calm environment, but too many earth tones can leave a home feeling cold and lifeless. Luckily, small changes can spark significant energy shifts.

Fire colors — think bold shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and purple — can breathe life into a space. These illuminating hues symbolize expansion, energy, and passion, but like any good thing, moderation is key. Too much fire energy can swing a room into yang energy, leading to conflict and anger. If you have a lot of bright colors in one space, healthy plants offer the perfect yin to fire’s yang.

Ready to awaken your space with color? Berman provides tips for incorporating bold colors to boost positive energy
in your home.

RED

The kitchen is the heart of the home, where friends and family gather. Spice up your space with small pops of red to add warmth and prosperity. However, Berman warns that since crimson is a powerful and stimulating color, it should be used sparingly in a room with many fire elements (such as the stovetop).

Think small: a burgundy dish towel, a decorative brick-colored bowl or a bouquet of vibrant poppies or tulips. Avoid using these elements near the stove to balance the kitchen’s fire element.

ORANGE

Boost your productivity and energy by inviting orange into your workspace. This vibrant and cheerful color stimulates creativity and intellect in a space linked to one’s work. Tangerine is the “social color” used to boost conversation and connection, making it a perfect complement to your career.

Berman suggests adding subtle apricot or amber accents through throw pillows, a blanket or picture frames. Choose a planter in a shade of pumpkin or papaya to liven up your office space while providing balance with a fresh plant. Or be bold and paint an accent wall a pale peach or deep saffron. Another way to incorporate the color is by placing a smoky orange citrine crystal in your space to increase clarity and attract wealth, prosperity and success.

YELLOW

Photos by Jennifer Weintraub

Set the stage for joyful gatherings with a splash of yellow. “When choosing a color for the dining room, a bright, inviting hue like yellow will boost the positive energy in a social space,” Berman explains. A vibrant shade of sunshine symbolizes joy and sparks conversation while aiding digestion.

Incorporate ochre or canary colors into your dining space with beautiful napkins, placemats, plates or a table runner. A bowl of fresh lemons or sunflowers adds a decorative pop of marigold to your table.

PINK

Create a sanctuary of romance and tranquility with soft shades of pink. This warm hue attracts an abundance of love and provides feelings of calm and serenity

Subtly incorporate this color into your room with blush or coral accent pillows on your bed. Place artwork with a pop of pink or peach on your walls. A rug under the bed adds warmth to the bedroom, especially when the pattern is infused with rose or ruby.

When incorporating bold colors in the bedroom, tone down the patterns (especially on the bedspread), which can become busy and overwhelming. “Be mindful of adding too much fire energy to the bedroom, which can cause restlessness instead of creating a calm area to sleep,” Berman explains.

PURPLE

“Living rooms are gathering spaces, so you want them to feel balanced while promoting conversation,” says Berman. Purple attracts yang energy, creating a warm and lively environment.

Purple is one of the most powerful colors in fung shui and should be used sparingly. Soft lilac hues create a more calming feel, whereas a deep violet creates a cozy and luxurious space. To incorporate this high-frequency color, add a vase of fresh lavender on a side table, a plum throw blanket on the couch or mauve tones in your artwork.

Originally published in Summer + Fall 2024 issue of Well.