5 elements of feng shui

There are 5 elements of feng shui: Fire, water, earth, metal, and air. Each of these elements works independently and collectively to restore calm and bring energy to your space.
First there is wood which is used to harness the power of creativity and expansion. Wood also represents such aspects as birth, strength, flexibility and intuition. There must be proper balance in the use of wood in your space as too much is apt to make one feel overwhelmed, stubborn and inflexible. Not enough wood may be responsible for lack of creativity,  ambivalence and depression. Add wood to your space by incorporating plants, paper, furniture and textiles .
Then there is fire. Fire increases enthusiasm and leadership skill. In the home fire is used to encourage expressiveness, inspiration and boldness. With fire a perfect balance is essential.  Too much fire isn’t good and an overabundance can show itself as anger, aggression, irritability and impulsive behavior. A lack of fire is often associated with emotional coldness, lack of vision, inexpressiveness and low self-esteem. To add fire to your space add some candles, incandescent lighting and make sure you take full advantage of natural sunlight. Additionally, electronics, animal prints and “hot” colors, such as red, pink or purple will also serve as a fire element.
Earth affects our physical strength and order while generating an overall feeling of grounding, balance and stability. An overabundance of earth in a space, can create a sensation of boredom, sluggishness and seriousness. Too little earth, often leads to disorganization, chaos and lack of  focus. Add earth elements to your space by using the colors green, brown and sand. Images of landscapes and square and rectangular shapes will also bring these elements into your home.
Metal affects mental clarity and logic. Metal affects one’s organization, focus, righteousness and analytical abilities. Too much metal, can result in chattiness, overly critical thoughts and speaking without thinking. Too little metal often leads to quiet, cautiousness and lack of focus. To enhance a space with metal add round or oval shapes; anything made of metals, including iron, aluminum, gold or silver; rocks and stones and white, gray, silver or light pastel colors.
Water’s domain is responsible for spirituality and emotion. A balance of water brings forth inspiration, wisdom and insightfulness, whereas too much water can create the feeling of unbalanced transition and the sense that you’re drowning emotionally.  It can make you feel overwhelmed and overly social. Too little water may result in a lack of sympathy, loneliness, isolation, and stress. Try incorporating water into your space by adding black or any deep, dark tones like blues, greens and purples; reflective surfaces, such as mirrors; free-form or asymmetrical shapes and any water  related objects such as aquariums and fountains
Source: Freshome