If you are thinking of hiring a London painting and decorating company to bring a new lease of life to your home or business, why not consider applying some of the principles of Feng Shui when you select your paint colours?

The art of Feng Shui originated in China around 4,000 BC, and was first used to determine optimum locations for building Emperor's palaces and even burial grounds. Feng Shui is based on principles of balancing energy and natural elements of fire,water, earth, metal and wood. Devotees of Feng Shui believe that by using harmonious colour schemes to decorate our homes, we can all experience better quality of life, wealth and good health.

While there more variations of paint colour available than your could possibly imagine, learning about the colour families and their associations in Feng Shui can help you make an inspired choice when redecorating your home. Let's take a look at some of the main colours used for home décor, their significance in Feng Shui and where to use them for best effect.

Black

Many cultures associate the colour black with death, but in the world of Feng Shui, the darkest colour of the spectrum is related to money, career and power. Usually, black works best as an accent to other, brighter colours, as large doses can be overwhelming. Feng Shui experts suggest that you use black in your office to bring energy to your career, or in rooms where you want to create a sensual feel – such as the bedroom. However, as a paint colour, black is best avoided in children's rooms and areas where food is cooked or eaten.

Blue

The colour blue is one which Feng Shui experts and colour therapists agree has a tranquillising effect on the human mind. This makes blue an excellent choice for any room where you want to relax, such as the bedroom. Blue is also often used in bathrooms due to its associations with water, bringing a clean and fresh feeling to the room.

Yellow

In Feng Shui, yellow is a positive colour which can be used to bring energy and light to a room. In offices and workplaces, yellow can help to increase worker productivity and creativity, while in the home, kitchens and living areas may benefit of a dose of its sunshine vibe. According to some Feng Shui experts, while pale yellows can work well in bedrooms, bright yellow may make the room's occupants restless.

Green

Green is a useful colour which Feng Shui practitioners use in homes to encourage financial prosperity, along with mental and physical equilibrium. Closely associated with nature, paint living rooms and bedrooms green to turn them into sanctuaries of peace and tranquillity.

White

At the opposite end of the colour spectrum from black is white, which the Chinese associate with mourning. When used in Feng Shui, white is used in small amounts, in combination with other colours, as too much white can bring an oppressive feel to a room. White is excellent for rooms which lack natural light, and can be useful in communal spaces such as hallways as it prevents energy from stagnating.

Inspired by Feng Shui or following your own rules for choosing paint colours? If you want to give your home a fresh new look, why not contact London painting and decorating company http://www.gdparvin.com for expert advice and quotes.