Finding Color the Feng Shui Way

A fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to give the interior of your home a whole new look. Even if your renting, presuming you have an understanding landlord, a splash of colour is great quick fix decorating option. But how do you choose the right colour? Do you want your lounge room to be shades of Macchiate Mocho or Raspberry Rapture?
A fun way to choose colour is by using the principles of Feng Shui - the ancient chinese art of balance and harmony.
According to Feng Shui, different colours create certain moods and atmospheres. Here is the beginners guide to selecting colour by Feng Shui

GREEN: Lies at the centre of the colour spectrum and is the colour associated with peace, tranquillity and nature. Green is an ideal choice in rooms where a restful, calm atmosphere is desired, making it a suitable choice for bedrooms or living areas. Although a restful colour, green also represents growth (be it financial or personal). If you choose a bright green it can bring abundance to you and urge you to take positive action.

PINK: is the ultimate femine colour of nuturing and love. Often favoured in nurseries and rooms of your children, Feng Shui claims this colour creates a haven and has sedative qualities for hyperactive children with sleeping difficulties.

YELLOW: is the colour of sunshine, it can lift spirits, raise energy levels and dispels negativity. Your can use yellow in kitchens, hallways, living rooms and rumpus rooms but aviod bedrooms, as it may be too energentic and intense. Yellow is also ideal for south facing rooms to bring a little 'sunshine' indoors.

PURPLE: is known as the physic colour and linked to activites such a meditation and healing and encourages introspection. Its often favoured with those who are in touch with their spiritual side. Lilac is popular choice for the bedrooms of teenage girls.

RED: is the colour of danger and action. Red demands your attention and can increase brain activity and pulse rates. Red is the ultimate party colour and will add a sense of drama. Fiery and passionate, red can be introduced in small doses (perhaps on trims or soft furnishings) in the bedrooms or used in larger quantities to add drama to a dining room.

BLUE: the colour of the sky and the ocean is considered by Feng Shui to be a serene colour, able to sooth tempers and calm negative emotions. Blue is associated with effective comunication and clear thought. Too much blue can be cold and depressing, so be careful when using it in south facing rooms or dark hallways.

BLACK: is seen as sexy, bold and intriguing. It tends to absord all other colours so can be overpowering. It is best used as only as an accent colour for cupboard handles, picture frames or curtain rails.

BROWN: while there's no denying brown has really come into its own recently in the world of interior design, according to Feng Shui it is the colour associated with Stagnation and depression, if you do want to use brown, try and incorporate splashes of red for balance.

Dont despair if the colour you first select doesnt create the mood you were after - thats what colour sample pots and swatches are for.
Maybe you just need to go a semi tone darker and lighter: Experiment first samples and once youre happy be bold, take the plunge and paint that wall - whats the worst that can happen? if you dont like the colour you can always paint over it.