Using Color in Feng Shui Gardening

Creating a garden that follows the primary feng shui principle of balance can be a complicated task, if you try to represent each of the five elements of nature in a literal manner. Bringing water features into an apartment setting, for example, can be difficult (not to mention it might invite the displeasure of your landlord). However, there are ways that you can incorporate all of the elements into your outdoor living space, to help create a sense of balance and harmony in your home. One of the easiest ways to do this is through the use of color.

Although this may seem a bit difficult, incorporating color to bring in the elements is very easy. Here's how you can use color to incorporate the five elements into your living space:

Fire: The color red is used in feng shui to represent fire. This includes bright reds (which most of us already associate with fire or strong energy), but also other shades of red. Don't hesitate to use burgundy lawn furniture or pink flowers in your outdoor garden area. These will both help bring the fire element into your living space. So will terra cotta pots and sculptures, which also help to balance the fire with an earthy construction.

Water: Although many people associate the color blue with water, black is actually the strongest color to represent this element. You can bring this into your outdoor space through the use of wrought iron furniture, iron kettles, and even obsidian and hematite stones that you can place among your flowers. This will help create a generous flow of energy outside and inside your home.

Wood: If your outside space is mainly greenery, then you probably already have a strong wood presence in your outdoor space. However, if you live in an urban area that has more concrete than plants, you may want to use blue and green objects to help bring the wood element into your living area.

Metal: The color white can help bring the element of metal into your landscaping. White marble rock and painted furniture or statuary can help incorporate metal into your yard to help balance the other elements.

Earth: Like the wood element, this is primarily a concern if you live in an urban environment where natural earth is not visible in sufficient quantities. You can use objects that are yellow or ochre colored to help restore the element of earth to your living space. Terra cotta or other earth tone objects can also create a sense of connectedness to the earth and a balanced living environment.

Use your creativity to bring the elements into your home through color. Your natural eye will pick up on what elements are needed in certain sections of your home, if you clear your mind and allow your living space to tell you what it needs. With a little practice, you will be able to use color to create a warm and inviting living area for yourself, your family, and your houseguests.

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Linda Binns is author of Feng Shui for Your Relationships: Changing Your Environment to Create Better Relationships. She has been a Feng Shui Practitioner, Author, Speaker and teacher for over 10 years. She has appeared internationally on television and radio and in local publications. Linda is also the founder of The Feng Shui Success Institute - which teaches in-depth Feng Shui training and practitioner certification.