In ancient China, the Daoists spent endless hours experiencing and observing the natural world. Finally, they concluded they could break it down into five main elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Metal, and Wood.

They based this model directly on the patterns of the universe that are easily observable to anyone who looks. As well as describing the physical world, the five interrelated phases (each one is connected to the others) can also describe and help balance any complete system.

The easiest way to bring feng shui into a home or space is to begin working with the five elements. Each element represents a different type of energy and is associated with certain materials, colors, qualities, and even moods. Combining, adding in, and subtracting such elements from a space can quickly improve, or reduce, the flow of positive chi.

When the five elements are balanced—within our bodies and our environment—it leads to health and harmony. You can also focus on working with one or two of the elements if you’re looking to invite more of that element’s qualities into your life.

As demonstrated by how the ground supports everything above it, the Earth element is a powerful way of developing groundedness, stability, and homeliness in a space.

Its sturdiness, firmness, and reliability are also related to creating boundaries—on a physical and personal level. You may use the Earth element to define areas in an open plan space, such as by splitting a home office from a living space, and for more personal support in building healthier boundaries in your life.

The Earth element is considered a mix of yin and yang energies, making it one of the most balanced energies in Feng Shui. It appears in all four seasons (unlike the other elements which only appear in one), so it’s highly adaptable and can blend with all seasons and color palettes.

The Earth Feng Shui element in has the following properties and associations:

• Qualities: Grounded, self-care, stable
• Shape: Flat, square
• Colors: Brown, orange, yellow
• Season: Transitions between the seasons
• Areas: Wellness, knowledge, partnerships

You can incorporate the Earth Feng Shui element into your space by using the following materials, colors, items, and interior design principles:

• Sandy or warm yellow paint
• Anything in Earth tones (brown, green or sand)
• Heavy, rectangular wooden furniture
• Natural stones & crystals
• Ceramic & earthenware pieces
• Square pillows or earth-toned textiles
• Brown, square-framed artwork

• Low, flat surfaces
• Images of landscapes

An incredibly versatile and strong substance that makes up 25% of the Earth’s crust, Metal represents integrity, precision, simplicity, righteousness, and clarity.

As the season of Metal is autumn, it’s associated with the cycle of slowing down that comes before the dormancy of winter. The precision and clarity of Metal work to cut through confusion and move forward with a clear mind—both in the sense of decluttering your physical space and clearing mental fogginess.

Metal is mostly a yin element. Yin energy has a calming and slowing effect on a space. It can be used to help balance the fast-moving, loud energy of yang. Consider how the brightness and heat of the sun (yang energy) contrasts with the soft and receptive energy of a calm lake or pond (yin energy).

The Metal Feng Shui element has the following properties and associations:

• Qualities: Efficient, precise, beauty
• Shape: Circular, spherical
• Colors: White, metallics
• Season: Autumn
• Areas: Helpful people, children

You can incorporate the Metal Feng Shui element into your space by using the following materials, colors, items, and interior design principles:

• White, creamy, or gray hued paint
• Wind chimes & bells
• White or gray circular pillows
• Grey furniture, mirrors, & artwork
• Vases of white flowers
• Metallic finished lamps & lighting
• Iron, aluminum, gold, or silver

• Rocks & stones

Ancient settlements were built around water sources as it is essential for life, from direct survival to access to trade and travel. As such, the Water element represents wisdom, abundance, intuition, and wealth.

Despite being incredibly powerful, water can also adapt to any shape. This fluid nature has to do with allowing our spaces and our lives to flow effortlessly, not least because the body is made up of around 75% water.

Water is the strongest yin energy of the five Feng shui elements and can be yang when it’s active and aggressive. However, Water is passive and receptive, flowing without its own internal will.

This does not mean it’s weak—Water can generate enormous forces, whether it be for relaxing in a spa-like space, forming social connections, or generating wealth.

The Water Feng Shui element has the following properties and associations:

• Qualities: Downward, flowing, shifting
• Shape: Wavy, curvy
• Colors: Black
• Season: Winter
• Area: Career

You can incorporate the Water Feng Shui element into your space by using the following materials, colors, items, and interior design principles:

• Fountains & water features
• Black colors & any deep, dark tones
• Black accessories & decor
• Reflective surfaces such as mirrors & gazing balls
• wavy, free-form or asymmetrical shapes, artwork & imagery
• Textiles or objects with wavy patterns
• Black finished light fixtures

Associated with Spring and the renewal of life, the Wood element is one of the best ways to bring a sense of vitality, growth, expansion, and new beginnings into a space.

Wood is not typically represented by wood (as it isn’t growing), but rather by everything that comes to mind when you think of Spring: plants, flora, green leaves, young animals, etc.

Working with the Wood element brings the vitality and aliveness of the outdoors, indoors—its active energy helping to fuel self-expression, creativity, and even romance.

Wood is primarily a yang element. Too much of the Wood element in a space can thus be imbalancing and lead to a sense of rigidness, inflexibility, and overwhelm.

The Wood Feng Shui element has the following properties and associations:

• Qualities: Expansive, vitality, upward
• Shape: Columnar, rectangular
• Colors: Green, blues
• Season: Spring
• Areas: Family, wealth

You can incorporate the Wood Feng Shui element into your space by using the following materials, colors, items, and interior design principles:

• House plants and trees
• Green, blue, & teal paint
• Columnar accessories & tall vertical shapes
• Outdoor landscaping

• Fresh and silk flowers
• Cotton & other natural fabrics

Just as magma is an incredibly hot substance that has the potential to create new landforms, the Fire element is responsible for motivation, inspiration, passion, and expression.

Although each of the five elements contains both yin and yang energies, Fire is predominantly yang. Its fast-moving and intense energy is known to activate, motivate, cleanse, and cause things to happen. This is the element for a space (or person) that feels stuck and needs their energy to move more freely.

Knowing how to work with the Fire element in your home is essential. Too much Fire in the wrong places can lead to anxiety, restlessness, and insomnia.

Fire is as equally life-giving as it is destructive, and making sure you balance it with other elements can tame the intensity of how brightly the Fire burns.

The Fire Feng Shui element has the following properties and associations:

• Qualities: Passion, illuminating, brilliant
• Shape: Triangle, pointy
• Colors: Red
• Season: Summer
• Area: Fame

You can incorporate the Fire Feng Shui element into your space by using the following materials, colors, items, and interior design principles:

• Lighting, incandescent lights, & sunlight
• Fiery reds and orange paint
• Shades of red, pink or purple
• Red & orange pillows, linens & artwork
• Fireplaces, firepits, & candles
• Vases of flowers & potted plants

• Electronic & exercise equipment

Use this introductory guide to the five elements to begin transforming your spaces with the power of feng shui. Once you start balancing the elements in the spaces around you, you will likely begin to notice their effects in many other areas of your life too.

Use this introductory guide to the five elements to begin transforming your spaces with the power of feng shui. Once you start balancing the elements in the spaces around you, you will likely begin to notice their effects in many other areas of your life too.

Need help infusing your spaces with wisdom, harmony, and balance? Book your free consultation with Leslie Close, our Principal Designer & LA-based Feng Shui Interior Designer.

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