Yellow immediately conjures up images of the sun, beach, summer and life. There are so many shades to choose from – buttermilk tones, lemons to mustards. Yellow connects with the Earth element in Feng Shui. This element is all about stability, roots, grounding, inner strength – Chinese medicine links it to the stomach, our core. In the Bagua Map it is the centre of any space or room and it is advised to keep that centre clear and to only use earth colours of stone, beige and yellow. Other elements that partner with Earth are Wood and Metal, one grows in the earth and the other is polished by earth. A key tip is not to overdo the colour or element as it can lead to muddiness.
Inner Knowledge
Soft lemons can partner with the sky blues of this area. I have seen a great yoga studio that had highlights in yellow and it was welcoming but soothing at the same time. Yellow offers a grounding earth element for meditation and study.
New Beginnings and Family
Shades of yellow represent earth, are a great partner with the wood element. We added buttermilk doors in our Berlin kitchen along with a warm stone element. A kitchen tip I was given, always put the darker colour at the base and the lighter one at the top. The use of a caffe latte colour is one I would never have chosen if I hadn’t seen it in a kitchen model, but it really worked. While not being a fan of yellow, the tones gave a warmth to the area.
Wealth and Prosperity
While this is a Wood sector, it is probably best to only use a hint of yellow if you need it. It will add stability and ground the wealth but probably best to encourage a sense of growth with Water elements.
Relationships and Marriage
We used lemon on the balcony. We had a lovely navy and white balcony sofa which we weren’t going to give away but it wasn’t the best colour for the Relationship sector. This is where practical Feng Shui comes in. Navy was blended with lemon cushions and lemon bowls along with white and it was our favourite place in summer. The trees gave us privacy and the squirrels happily visited for a hazelnut breakfast.
The Bedroom
Depending on where your main bedroom is, or your children’s bedroom is placed, soft yellow tones can sooth and balance a room. Our main past Berlin bedroom was painted in a lovely Farrow & Ball buttermilk offering a gentle warmth. Use yellow carefully in a bedroom as it can promote sluggishness along with brown and beige. If you have no choice, balance with white, blue or grey to add Water and Metal elements. It can look really chic but it must balance.
The Kitchen
Again, depending where it is, it can ground and stabilise an area. I prefer to use wood and stone in a kitchen but I have seen accent tones in china and accessories that makes it a sunny, happy place to be. Spanish and Italian traditional crockery is lovely in this area against a stark white.
The Office
If your office is in an Earth, Metal or Wood sector of the Bagua map, accents of yellow can balance and offer stability. An office often needs the 5 Elements method of balancing with all of the elements. Place the Bagua map over the room or space as if a square, face inwards with the main door or how you actually enter that space and balance the area and your desk top. Use all elements and matching colours in similar amounts.
The Living Room
Often this room is in the centre of a living space and it is important to keep it clear and uncluttered. Many of us have a coffee table in the centre and keep it as tidy and uncluttered as possible – note to self as I see a pile of books and paper! I have a soft earth-toned wool rug in the centre. The glass and metal coffee table add water and metal elements and it is a gentle place to sit. Bright yellow flowers are also a perfect enhancement as they offer growth and a sense of nature.
