4 Colors That Are Good for Your Garden According to Feng Shui

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A spacious outdoor garden with potted plants and trees.

Designing these colors into your landscape will attract a harmonious energy. | Credit: Dion Robeson. Design: Sandy Anghie Architect

When designing your outdoor space, crafting a color palette might not be at the top of your mind. Typically, it’s more about finding decor that’s durable, plants that are easy to grow, and paving that doesn’t require frequent retouching. However, Feng Shui practitioner Anjie Cho tells me that al fresco color schemes deserve balance.

“From a backyard Feng Shui perspective, the five elements are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water,” she notes. “Color is one of the easiest ways to introduce elemental harmony. And it can be especially fun to execute through flowers, paving, decor, and furniture.”

Think red for fire, brown for Earth, silver and white for metal, and black for water. But here’s a granular look at the best ways to inject these colors into your garden design for good Feng Shui.

1. Red for Fire A garden with concrete steps, cement planters, a potted red tree

A flourishing red tree can add fall color and bring a vibrance to your outdoor space that feels bold and beautiful. | Credit: Dion Robeson. Design: Sandy Anghie Architect

“To channel the element of fire in your garden, red is the color to pepper into your landscape design,” says Anjie Cho. “And you can do this by planting a Japanese maple or red flowers.”

This Acer Palmatum Japanese Maple from Crocus and this Geranium ‘Best Red’ F1 flowers from Thompson & Morgan are striking choices. Or, you can also spice up the space by decorating with terracotta pots and other vibrant accent pieces.

A red outdoor stool from HAY

Manolito Short Stool

This fiery stool from HAY is a great way to channel the unexpected red theory in your garden.

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A red outdoor gardening watering can

House Plant Stainless-Steel Watering Can

Keep it functional with this bright watering can from Sowvital.

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A portable red outdoor lamp from Kartell

Portable LED Table Lamp Mini Geen-A

A portable outdoor lamp is a modern must-have so make it memorable with this design from Kartell.

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2. Brown for Earth An overhead shot of a wooden bench and a circular fire pit

Deep chocolate browns are a gorgeous way to ground your garden. | Credit: Ibrahim Ozunbar. Design: ACARARCH

“When it comes to the Earth element, brown is the best color to include in your outdoor color palette,” says Anjie. “I suggest opting for brown paving as a low-maintenance patio color, or even a simple wood bench.”

Decor crafted from acacia or teak is ideal, as these are among the best woods for outdoor spaces. And using curved forms will further enhance the energy in your garden by preventing poison arrows in Feng Shui.

A brown wooden outdoor dining bench from La Redoute

Douve Solid Acacia Outdoor Dining Bench

This wooden bench from La Redoute is a lovely addition to your outdoor dining room.

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A brown outdoor rattan chair and footrest from Habitat

Kelham Rattan Effect Garden Chair – Brown

This outdoor chair was Habitat’s hottest style last year, and it’s still on my wish list this season.

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A brown metal outdoor planter from H&M

Dark Brown Metal Plant Pot

This beautiful metal planter is another way to bring an earthy finish to your outdoor space.

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3. Silver and White for Metal A set of brushed silver planters

“For the metal element, you have an option of decorating with splashes of white or silver,” says Anjie. “Consider planting elegant white flowers or adding a contemporary edge through silver garden decor in the form of glazed metallic orbs.”

Delicate white blooms are some of the best plants for a tranquil patio. This Hydrangea Arborescens FlowerWOW from Crocus and these Antirrhinum Majus ‘White Giant’ F1 Snapdragons from Sarah Raven are a lovely textural addition.

A brushed silver outdoor spike light from Frandsen

Dimmable LED Stake Lamp Grasp

This Dimmable LED Stake Lamp Grasp is a chic way to light up your garden pathways.

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A puffy ceramic white planter from Home Studyo

Pierre Ceramic Planter

Bring in white but make it fun with this inflated decor planter from Home Studyo.

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A glassy chrome outdoor sculptural sphere from H&M

Silver-Colored Glass Sculpture

You can’t go wrong with this sleek Silver-Colored Glass Sculpture from H&M.

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4. Black for Water A rope black chair from Westwing in a backyard

“Lastly, you have the element of water, which is represented in Feng Shui through black,” Anjie advises. “I would decorate a garden with black gravel, riverstones, or even slate.”

A chic way to bring this color outside is through black garden fences. It adds a layer of privacy while making your garden boundary feel elevated. I also recommend looking to goth gardens for some black planting inspiration.

A black bowl outdoor fire pit from Höfats

BOWL 57 Fireplace

As far as outdoor fireplace ideas go, this bowl design from Höfats offers a cool, contemporary finish.

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A speckled black outdoor stool from Normann Copenhagen

Bit Cone Stool

Use this speckled Bit Cone Stool from Normann Copenhagen to add some depth to your al fresco space.

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A ridged outdoor water feature from Cox & Cox

Angola Solar Water Feature

This Angola Solar Water Feature from Cox & Cox introduces the element of water in color and design.

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While you restore harmony to your backyard, take a moment to scroll through the hottest furniture trends of the year. And for more Feng Shui advice, sign up for the Livingetc newsletter.