YOUR GROUNDED FENG SHUI GUIDE: LET'S FIND THE FIVE ELEMENTS IN YOUR HOME

Your Home Carries Elemental Influences & Here's How To Spot Them

Every item in your home is speaking a silent language. The velvet throw blanket on your sofa, the oak table passed down from your parents, the brass-framed mirror in your entryway—all of them are quietly carrying an energy, a dominant force that shapes how your space feels and functions—and how you do, as a result.

That energy you feel? It’s elemental.

Now before you start having intrusive thoughts about what these items might be saying, or whether that slightly less loved chair you throw your “outdoor” clothes on is silently judging you, let’s get into a little Feng Shui 101. 

In Feng Shui, every material, color, shape, and object belongs to one of the Five Elements: Wood, Earth, Water, Fire, and Metal. These elements are the building blocks of our physical surroundings and our energetic makeup. And the energetic makeup of our space overall.They work in harmony (or disharmony) to support (or sabotage) our vitality, creativity, relationships, and overall alignment. No pressure of course… but it’s safe to say, they’re pretty vital to the practice of feng shui. 

This post is an invitation to begin seeing your space through this elemental lens—and to recognize how each of these five forces exists both around you and within you. Think of them as both design principles and personality traits. They aren’t just in your furniture or paint colors… they live in your habits, emotions, and natural strengths as well.

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What You’ll Find in this “How-To-Read-The Room” Guide:

Profile Breakdown: Each element’s essence and associated characteristics to better understand their purpose and personality

Signs of Element Imbalance: Learn when your space has too much or too little of an element and how to rebalance them and make adjustments

Tips for Welcoming New Energy: Practical advice to rebalance stagnant or scarce energy with new elements

In Your Element: A head-nod moment to identify which element(s) you’re drawn to personally and how to feel at home

PAID SUBSCRIBERS will find a video breakdown with 3 examples of rooms in their homes. I go over the dominant element, make suggestions for rebalancing, and cover some easy Feng Shui adjustments to make the space even more sacred. If you’re a paid subscriber, you’ll find that below. Care to join?

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How to Use This Guide:

My hope is that, by the end of this piece, you’ll be able to walk into any room of your home and sense what’s there—and recognize what element(s) are missing. You’ll learn how to quite literally read a room. You will start to notice what’s quietly nurturing you. What’s subtly draining you. What elements are in overabundance. And equally what influences are barely there if existent at all. 

Like a game of “I Spy,” you’ll start to recognize patterns. Maybe you’re surrounded by sharp metal and white walls, and the space is starving for softness. Or maybe your space is overflowing with Earth (plush textures, heavy furniture) but lacking creative inspiration (Fire).

You’ll also begin to notice your own elemental tendencies. Which elements feel most similar to you? What’s your natural way of showing up in the world—and therefore in your home? Your energy is a gift to your space and one to be considered while balancing harmony between the 5. 

Reminder: Feng Shui isn’t about matching your environment to your dominant element either. It’s about utilizing the remaining elements and finding the beauty in all five to create harmony, flow, and peace energetically.

Aesthetically? This creates that “layered” and lived-in look many of us admire in professionally designed spaces. The mix of materials. The different style influences of various furniture pieces. Balancing the five elements diversifies the room’s decor, and enhances the energy within it.

Let this be your not-too-rigid grounded guide to one of Feng Shui’s most foundational principles. Like the magician in the tarot deck, or the 12 zodiac signs found on the wheel of a birth chart, each element serves its purpose. Each one has a home in your home. These five elements are tools for bringing more beauty, insight, and balance to your everyday life.

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WOOD: The Visionary

Elemental Essence: Growth, Expansion, Purpose, Potential

Associated Colors: Greens, Teals, Blue-Green

Materials: Wood, bamboo, plants, cotton, paper

Shapes: Rectangular, tall and vertical forms

Season: Spring

If Wood were a friend, they’d be your ambitious accountability buddy. The one who’s always got a vision board ready and believes you can grow into the person you want to be—even before you do.

Wood energy is about movement and momentum. It brings a surge of creative ideas, bold new plans, and the kind of hopeful drive that nudges you to take that first step. Think of it like springtime energy—optimistic, forward-moving, and ready to burst into bloom.

Gifts of Wood:

• Visionary thinking and long-term planning

• A desire to grow, improve, and move forward

• Creative energy with a sense of mission

• Courage to initiate and tackle new challenges

When You Need More Wood in Your Home:

• You’re feeling stuck, indecisive, or uninspired

• You want to launch a new project or commit to a new habit

• Your home feels too stagnant or overly heavy

• You're seeking more clarity or purpose

Try adding:

• A healthy, leafy plant (the #1 Wood cure)

• Vertical bookshelves or tall furniture, to direct the attention UP

• Art or décor featuring trees, forests, or botanicals

• Greens and blues paint, fabrics, or accessories 

When There’s Too Much Wood:

• You feel restless, impatient, or like you’re always “doing”

• There’s tension or burnout from overgrowth or overcommitment

• The space feels chaotic, crowded, or overly ambitious

Balance with Metal or Earth elements to create structure and stability.

The Wood-Type Person:

Do you thrive on change, live for your to-do list, and always seem to be chasing a goal? You might be a Wood-type. These individuals are natural leaders and go-getters. But their growth-oriented nature means they need space to expand—both literally and energetically. If you’re a Wood person living in a cramped, dimly lit apartment? Time to bring in more green, more height, and a clearer line of sight toward what’s next.

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EARTH: The Stabilizer

Elemental Essence: Supportive, Grounding, Nourishing, Trustworthy

Associated Colors: Yellows, Earth tones, Soft Browns, Terracotta

Materials: Clay, ceramics, stone, brick, crystals, pottery

Shapes: Square, flat, horizontal forms

Season: Late Summer

Earth energy is the cozy embrace at the center of your home. It holds, nourishes, and grounds us. Think: the reliable friend who always remembers your birthday, shows up with soup when you're sick, and reminds you to slow down and rest.

Earth offers structure and safety. It creates the container where life happens. While Wood rushes forward into the future, Earth gently anchors us in the now.

Gifts of Earth:

• This element a sense of calm, reliability, and coziness  

• Supports caregiving, service, and consistency

• Enhances trust and emotional nourishment

• Helps us feel rooted and strong in our physical body

When You Need More Earth:

• You feel anxious, scattered, or ungrounded

• Your schedule or energy feels erratic or overly busy

• You’re seeking more comfort, ease, or inner peace

Try adding:

• Ceramic planters, terracotta pots, or handmade pottery

• Earth-toned linens, rugs, or pillows

• Square or low furniture to ground the space

• Crystals or natural stone elements

When There’s Too Much Earth:

• You feel stuck, overly cautious, or resistant to change

• The space feels heavy, uninspired, or overly “beige”

• You’re constantly caring for others but neglecting yourself

Balance with Wood (to stir movement) or Water (to soften rigidity).

The Earth-Type Person:

You’re the nurturer, the steady one, the friend who creates sanctuary for everyone around you. Earth types are generous, thoughtful, and dependable—but sometimes give so much to others you forget to fill your own cup. In the home, you crave cozy textures, warm colors, and spaces that feel safe and sacred.

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WATER: The Intuitive

Elemental Essence: Flow, Depth, Emotion, Intuition, Spiritual Connection

Associated Colors: Black, Deep Blues, Indigo

Materials: Glass, mirrors, fountains, anything reflective or fluid

Shapes: Wavy, curvilinear, asymmetrical

Season: Winter

Water carries mystery and depth. It’s the unspoken feeling in a room, or the way your intuition quietly guides you without words. Water energy invites quiet and connection—to self, to spirit, and to the space. Water is seen as a muse and often medicine. And just like an actual body of water, it needs room to flow and move about a space.

Gifts of Water:

• Deepens intuition, creativity, and spiritual connection

• Encourages rest, reflection, and emotional intelligence

• Softens and cools overly intense energy

• Creates a sense of calm and openness

When You Need More Water:

• You’re feeling emotionally disconnected from yourself or others

• Life feels too loud, structured, or externally focused

• You want to cultivate emotional intimacy or spiritual practices

Try adding:

• A tabletop fountain or small water feature, or even an oil diffusor filled with water

• Mirrors, glass, or crystal elements

• Art featuring bodies of water

• Deep blue or black textiles

• Curved or flowing shapes in décor or furniture

When There’s Too Much Water:

• You feel emotionally overwhelmed, withdrawn, or “lost at sea”

• There’s a lack of structure or motivation

• The home feels cold, dark, or overly quiet

Balance with Earth (to ground) or Fire (to re-ignite energy and warmth).

The Water-Type Person:

You feel so deeply. Being an intuitive it’s like you know things before they’re said. You create beauty, art, and meaning, often in solitude. Water types are intuitive and soulful—but can become isolated or overly sensitive without boundaries. Their homes feel peaceful, almost meditative, and often reflect their inner world through art, symbols, or altars.

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FIRE: The Spark

Elemental Essence: Passion, Visibility, Action, Expression, Joy

Associated Colors: Reds, Oranges, Bright Pinks, Magenta

Materials: Candles, sunlight, lights, electronics, leather, animal prints

Shapes: Triangles, pointed shapes, flames

Season: Summer

Fire is your home’s main character energy. It’s the spotlight, the spark, the laughter that echoes through your home when you're surrounded by people you love.

Fire brings passion and momentum. It helps us be seen, heard, and celebrated. It’s the element of charisma, warmth, and enthusiasm—and when balanced, it lights up a space with vibrancy.

Gifts of Fire:

• Encourages joy, visibility (fame, even), and self-expression

• Sparks action, courage, and boldness

• Warms up cool or neutral environments

• Creates social energy and high vibration

When You Need More Fire:

• You’re feeling low-energy, invisible, or uninspired

• You’re craving connection, recognition, or motivation

• Your home feels too cool, quiet, or minimal

Try adding:

• Candles, lamps, or pendant lighting

• Red or pink accents

• Triangle-shaped décor or bold artwork

• A fireplace or fire pit (if possible)

When There’s Too Much Fire:

• The energy feels chaotic, overwhelming, or aggressive

• You’re burnt out or reactive

• The home is overstimulating or difficult to rest in

Balance with Water (to cool and soothe) or Earth (to ground and settle).

The Fire-Type Person:

You’re magnetic. Passionate. A natural performer or host. You light up rooms and aren’t afraid to speak from the heart. Fire types crave fun, beauty, and impact—but need cooling and solitude to avoid burnout. Their spaces often reflect their bold personality, filled with art, color, or conversation pieces.

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METAL: The Refiner

Elemental Essence: Clarity, Precision, Focus, Discipline

Associated Colors: White, Gray, Silver, Metallics

Materials: Metal, steel, aluminum, stone, cut crystal

Shapes: Circles, ovals, domes

Season: Autumn

Metal is minimalism with a mission. It’s the sharpened focus that refines and elevates a space. Metal energy is found in the clean marble countertop. The thoughtful organized closet, making your space intentional enough that your thoughts can breathe. It’s found in the fixtures that finesse each room. Not overt or obvious, but still rather needed.

Metal brings order and refinement. It helps us filter distractions, focus our energy, and create systems that support our long-term goals. Think: clarity meets calm.

Gifts of Metal:

• Enhances focus, structure, and organization

• Brings clarity and a refined aesthetic

• Supports decision-making and productivity

• Creates mental spaciousness and peace

When You Need More Metal:

• You’re feeling mentally cluttered or unfocused

• You want to streamline your routines

• The space feels chaotic or overly sentimental

Try adding:

• Metal accents in furniture or décor

• Circular mirrors or round tables

• Gray, white, or metallic colors

• Clean lines and open surfaces

When There’s Too Much Metal:

• The space feels cold, sterile, or emotionally distant

• You’re overly critical, rigid, or detached

• Creativity or warmth feels stifled

Balance with Fire (to add warmth) or Wood (to add movement and growth).

The Metal-Type Person:

You love clarity. You value efficiency. You edit your closet regularly and find peace in a well-labeled pantry. Metal types are discerning, organized, and precise—but can become overly perfectionistic or emotionally distant. Their homes feel curated, often monochrome or minimal, with thoughtful attention to detail.

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If you’re ready to take this from theory to practice, I’ve created a bonus video exclusively for The Sanctuary subscribers.

In it, I walk you through the elemental makeup of three real rooms submitted by readers—breaking down which elements are dominant, which ones are missing, and what small shifts could bring more harmony and support. It’s a great way to train your own eye and see these principles in action. If you’re already a paid subscriber, you’ll find the video waiting for you below. If not, now’s the perfect time to join us.