When decorating your home, you can achieve a beautiful balance by using the principles of feng shui colors. Each color you see gives off an energy that affects your balance. By understanding the elements of each color, you can control the atmosphere of the rooms throughout your house. Here is a guide to the characteristics of each element, and the colors associated therein.

When you need a room to be stable and grounding, look to the earth element. Shades of light yellow and beige are warm, nurturing, and secure. This is the perfect choice for a space where families interact, particularly with children. These shades also enhance learning potential, so place them where you might need a boost of wisdom.

Brown and green stimulate health and birth. This is the wood element and is most often used in the family and health section of the house. However, wood enhances the characteristics of any area it's placed in. Color is not the only way to utilize this element. Live plants and furniture are easy ways to incorporate the wood element.

Fire symbolizes passion, luck, enthusiasm, love, and so much more. It is the strongest of all the elements, so it must be used wisely. Use of red, pink, orange, purple and bright yellow should be done carefully. A fire may warm your house, but if it gets out of control it can reduce your house to ashes.

Water symbolizes many things, including communication and money. A running faucet left too long can be symbolic of a wasting of money. It is a good idea to put a fountain or aquarium in the wealth corner of your room. The colors blue or black can be used when actual water features aren't available.

The metal element fits nicely in an office setting. Clarity and precision are strengthened wherever this element is used. The brighter and shiner the metal, the more intense it's power. The colors white and grey can be used in place of actual metal. Though some may see them as dull, they are equally as strong as their counterparts.

To get the best result, all of these five elements need to be mixed and matched throughout the home. Consider that some feng shui colors are yin, while others are yang, and think of how they might work together. Most all elements can be represented by more than colors. If you need fire element you don't need to paint an entire wall, adding a few candles may be just the right touch.