Colour is one of the easiest elements that can be used to shift energy and bring balance and harmony to space to create good feng shui. Nippon Paint Malaysia Group general manager Gladys Goh and Feng Shui Master Cheng Sew Ming share their knowledge on how to brighten your new year with the right colours.

For south-facing homes, light and bright tones are highly recommended. Additionally, south-facing homeowners should avoid using too much red and purple to tame the negative qi of the Five Yellow (五黄星). You should also refrain from major renovation works in the Year of the Dog to avoid activating the negative Qi.

Auspicious colours for south-facing homes: White, off-white, light brown, sandy-beige, pastel yellow, light green and olive green.

For north, east and west-facing homes, 2018 is a safe year for repainting and renovation works. As such, you may choose to personalise your home according to your birth element to enhance the harmony between you and your living environment. Check out some interior design tips to create harmony in your home with Nippon Paint’s Trend Beyond Colours 2018/19 collection.

Colour palettes and designs for the five elements of the Dog Year

To ensure feng shui colours blends well in modern contemporary homes, Nippon Paint recommends colour palettes from four themes, namely Seeking Adventure, Conscious Being, Essential Balance and Transient Glow according to the five elements of the Dog Year.

Auspicious colours for those who are of the Fire element include red hues such as Knockout Red and Coral Expression in Seeking Adventure’s colour palette. These colours were put together to ignite the passion of adventure-seeking individuals to travel the world, explore the unknown and remind us of life’s exciting possibilities.

Those who are of the Water element should embrace colours of blue-black undertones in Conscious Being’s palette. This encompasses Ebony Blue and Black Magic which are calming, making them suitable for personal spaces such as bedrooms.

For those who associate themselves with the Earth element, the yellow and brown hues in Essential Balance’s colour palette were put together to create reassuring warm tones to exude calming energy. Glowing Tempest Brown, Spoon-bread and tinted Mountain Haze colours create quiet serenity at home.

Transient Glow’s colour palette combination of Winning Streak and Aqua Glass creates an immersive environment especially for those who belong to the Wood element. This versatile palette is equally effective for interior and exterior use.

For a rosy year ahead, those of the Metal element should always go for auspicious colours which reflect white hues. For a harmonious exterior combination, Transient Glow’s Gossamer White and Yellow Pendant will enhance the ethereal mood of your home.

Giving extra attention to the colours of your home and making small tweaks here and there will result in a more harmonious state of living. This will lead to a better quality of life and peace of mind, in the long run.