Choosing curtains with good feng shui does more than make a space prettier and more private — in feng shui belief, it also influences the household’s fortune and state of mind. Curtains shade the sun and screen views from outside, while forming one of the largest decorative surfaces that sets the mood of a room. Below are the principles for choosing curtain colour, fabric and style worth knowing.

Choose curtain colours by the owner’s element

A curtain colour matched to the owner’s element is believed to attract prosperity and balance the room’s energy. By the five elements:

  • Wood element: green, leaf green.
  • Fire element: red, purple, deep pink.
  • Earth element: yellow, earthy brown.
  • Metal element: white, metallic gold, grey.
  • Water element: blue, dark teal.

Avoid pure-black curtains — in feng shui, this colour tends to feel heavy and weighs on the mood of those living in the house.

Curtains coloured to match the owner's element for good feng shui

Favour natural fabrics

Material matters as much as colour. Natural fabrics of cotton, linen or bamboo are considered to raise positive energy, and they are durable and easy to care for. For tracks and hardware, choose metal or natural wood over plastic — the space looks more refined and ages better.

Coordinate curtain colours with the room and furniture

Curtains should blend with the overall wall and furniture palette to create a unified, easy feel:

  • Small rooms: choose simply styled curtains in light tones to avoid a cramped, boxed-in feeling.
  • Large rooms: more elaborate, layered curtains can work well.
  • Tone-on-tone: pale yellow walls pair well with beige curtains and cream furniture — close tones read as one continuous scheme.

For the bigger picture on arranging a whole apartment, browse our insights library.

Curtains coordinated with the apartment's furniture palette

Curtain styles to avoid

A few notes for steering clear of bad energy, by feng shui convention:

  • Avoid garish pink curtains in bedrooms and shared rooms — they are thought to unsettle and stress the occupants.
  • Avoid strange motifs: bizarre shapes or aggressive animals — especially in rooms for the elderly and young children.
  • Choose a moderate weight: overly thick fabric feels stuffy; overly thin fabric lacks privacy. Double-layer curtains (sheer voile plus a heavier drape) balance daylight and privacy well.

Match the curtain to room size — and open it daily

In a large room, a moderately heavy fabric curtain creates a warm, quiet atmosphere and better sleep. As for use: open the curtains by day to let in light and fresh energy, and draw them in the evening for privacy — this daily light/dark rhythm is also seen as keeping energy circulating through the home.

Curtains sized to the room for a warm, cosy space

From curtain details to the whole interior

Curtains are only one piece of the interior picture — for feng shui and aesthetics to stay consistent, the curtains, walls, floor and furniture need to be planned together from the design stage. A single design-build partner keeps every detail aligned instead of patching items together one by one.

AIC works to a single-point design-build model, with over 10 years in the trade (since 2016 under the predecessor Nhan Viet; AIC was founded in 2019) and two in-house factories (1,200 m² and 600 m²). From a floor plan, AIC can produce a BOQ estimate within roughly 4 working hours so you can size your budget; projects are handed over with a warranty of up to 24 months. See our apartment interior design and build service.

Frequently asked questions

Which curtain colour has the best feng shui?

There is no single “best” colour — the right colour depends on the owner’s element in the five-element system (Wood: green; Fire: red and purple; Earth: yellow and brown; Metal: white and grey; Water: blue). Beyond that, avoid pure black and keep the colour in tune with the interior palette.

What fabric should curtains be made of?

Favour natural fabrics of cotton, linen or bamboo — they are durable, easy to care for and considered to raise positive energy. Tracks and hardware should be metal or natural wood rather than plastic, for a more refined and longer-lasting look.

Are double-layer curtains worth it?

Yes. A double-layer curtain (a sheer voile that filters light plus a heavier blackout drape) lets you adjust daylight and privacy through the day — practical to live with and well balanced in feng shui terms.