Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice using design principles to improve balance and energy in a person’s surrounding environment. Feng shui is Chinese for wind and water. It helps to connect a person with nature by using natural energies. It incorporates the natural elements of wood, fire, earth, water and metal to bring in aspects of that material.
There are a general set of principles to apply to each room. Each room also has it’s own set of best practices. Clearing clutter is a practice that applies to all areas. Clutter creates blockages and prevents good energy flow. Some other things to do for all areas would be to throw away broken things, don’t block doorways and clean windows.
The main furniture in a room should be placed in a commanding position, which is diagonally facing the door of the room. If it’s not possible to move the furniture to that location, mirrors are used, so anyone entering the door can still be seen.
Each room/area also has it’s own set of ideas to improve energy.
For entryways, keep them clear, make sure the home address is easy to find and keep the areas bright which is a fire element.
Bedrooms should be calming with nothing stored under the bed except extra blankets or sheets. Bed headboards should be solid and sturdy to protect you while you sleep. Metal headboards and headboards with gaps aren’t recommended. Clean out closets to bring in new energy. Don’t put photos of family members or your kids in the bedroom. Otherwise you will feel like they are watching you.
Living rooms should be cozy and comfortable with furniture facing each other for easy conversation.
Keep kitchens clean and neat. Also make sure the refrigerator is clean and organized. Throw out spoiled food or anything that won’t be eaten.
Bathrooms should be decorated in warm earthy tones instead of cool colors like blue or green to counteract the coolness of flowing water.
Add plants to bring in nature, which are the wood element.
Advanced feng shui uses a bagua map placed over the layout of a house. Each area on the map represents 8 areas of life and is located using a compass:
Wealth in the southeast – purple, blue, red, wood, Fame in the south – red, fire, Relationships in the southwest – pink, red, white, earth,
Family in the east – green, wood, Health in the center of the home – yellow, orange, earth, Children in the west – white, metal,
Knowledge in the northeast – blue, green, black, earth, Career in the north – black, water, Helpful people in the northwest – white, gray, black, metal.
Each area uses colors and the natural elements to bring energy into that life area. For example, to improve the wealth area, try putting a plant in the southeast corner of the home that is in a purple container. Candles and lights can be used in the fire areas. Images, fountains or blue items can be used in the water areas. Stones and crystals can be used in the earth areas.
I’m not sure if feng shui actually works, but it’s a fun thing to learn about and apply when freshening up a room. Your living environment greatly impacts your stress levels. If you live or work in a building that’s full of stuff, poorly organized, unclean, etc., it will increase stress levels and impact your mental health without you even realizing it.
Years ago, I bought these feng shui books:
Feng Shui that Makes Sense – Easy Ways to Create a Home that FEELS as Good as it Looks by Cathleen McCandless
Feng Shui Your Life by Jayme Barrett
I’m working on re-reading them at the moment. There is a lot to feng shui, but they are a good start for learning more about it.
Challenge:
Try cleaning an area that is cluttered. When you’re done, reflect on how that area now makes you feel.
Resources:
https://www.thespruce.com/feng-shui-tips-for-beginners-1274536
https://www.squareone.ca/resource-centres/interior-design/feng-shui-basics
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/feng-shui-for-every-room-in-your-home