The Short Answer: Accents, Not Whole Rooms
Each bagua area has traditional colors, most of them drawn from its element. Use them as accents in the right part of the home, rather than painting every room in a bagua color. The colors point to an area, not to a whole room.
The Nine Colors at a Glance
The table below gives the most common color for each area, with other options. Schools differ, so treat it as a starting point.
| Area | Main color | Other options |
|---|---|---|
| Wealth (top left) | Purple | Red, green, gold |
| Fame (top center) | Red | Green |
| Love and relationships (top right) | Pink | Red, white, earth tones |
| Family (middle left) | Green | Black and blue |
| Health (center) | Yellow | Brown, orange |
| Children and creativity (middle right) | White | Yellow, earth tones |
| Knowledge (bottom left) | Blue | Black, green, earth tones |
| Career (bottom center) | Black | Blue, white |
| Helpful people (bottom right) | Silver or gray | White, black |
Why Not Paint Each Room in Its Color
Painting a kitchen lavender or a bedroom hot pink can make a room unpleasant to use. A kitchen that feels too sweet can put people off cooking, and a bright pink bedroom can feel unsettling to rest in. Feng shui cures are usually small, and the bagua color points to one area of the home, not the whole room.
Choose by Room Function First
Start with the room’s job, then add bagua accents.
- A bedroom needs calm, restful tones.
- A living room suits warm, sociable colors.
- A study suits focused, calm colors.
- A kitchen works best with clean, fresh tones that make cooking pleasant.
Once the room’s main color suits its function, bring in the bagua color for the relevant area as an accent.
Use Accents
Accents are the easiest way to bring in a bagua color. A cushion in purple for the wealth area, a red lamp shade for the fame area, or a pale blue throw for the knowledge area all work well. A small amount is enough, and accents are simple to change.
One Color Scheme for the Home
Choose one base wall color for the whole home, or a small family of tones that sit well together. Then let the bagua colors come through in accents, rugs, art, and textiles. Colors that look good side by side make the home feel balanced, which is a more practical goal than matching each room to a single bagua color.
Seasonal and Light Changes
You can change accents with the seasons, such as warm textiles in winter and lighter ones in summer. Keep the base colors steady so the home still feels cohesive.
For the nine areas and where they sit, see the pillar guide. For the wealth area in detail, see the wealth corner guide. For the fame area, see the fame and reputation guide.