Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt a strong sensation of peace? The Chinese practice of arranging objects and spaces to harmonise with the flow of energy, known as feng shui, may offer an explanation!
What is Feng Shui?
Feng shui is a Chinese philosophical system that aims to harmonise people with their surrounding environment. It’s based on the idea that the arrangement and orientation of objects and spaces can affect the flow of energy (or "chi") and influence a person's health, wealth, and happiness.
Feng shui practitioners believe that carefully arranging elements such as furniture, colour, lighting, and decor can improve the energy in a space and promote well-being. It’s used in many aspects of Chinese culture, including architecture, interior design and even city planning!
What Does “Feng Shui” Mean?
The words "feng shui" in English translate to "wind-water" in Mandarin Chinese. This refers to the natural elements that feng shui seeks to balance and harmonise in the environment, as wind and water are seen as two of the most important factors that shape the land and affect the flow of energy.
Now we’ve got a basic understanding of what feng shui is, let’s take a closer look at how it can be applied to different rooms in our homes. From the bedroom to the living room, each space has its own unique energy flow that can be optimised for better health, wealth, and happiness.
Feng Shui in the Living Room
The living room is often the central gathering place in a home, and feng shui principles can help to create a welcoming and harmonious atmosphere.
One important element of feng shui in the living room is furniture placement. The sofa should be positioned against a solid wall, with a clear view of the door allowing for a sense of security and grounding. Chairs should be arranged in a circular or semi-circular pattern, facing each other to encourage communication and connection.
Colour is another important consideration for living room feng shui. Earthy tones like beige, brown, and green can help to create a sense of balance and stability. Soft, muted colours like blue or lavender can help promote relaxation, while brighter colours like red or orange can add energy and vitality.
Incorporating natural elements, such as plants or a water feature, can also enhance the feng shui of the living room. Plants bring a sense of life and vitality into any space, while something like a small fountain or aquarium can promote relaxation and tranquillity.
Feng Shui in the Bedroom
The bedroom is a place of rest and rejuvenation, and incorporating feng shui only adds to this ambience.
In bedroom feng shui, the bed is the object of focus. It's best to place the bed against a solid wall, with a clear view of the door but not directly in line with it.
In terms of wall paint and decor, soft, muted colours like blues, greens, and pastels are ideal for the bedroom. You want to avoid bright and stimulating colours like reds or oranges, as they can disrupt the relaxing vibe.
Additionally, clutter and electronics should be avoided. A cluttered bedroom can disrupt the flow of energy and create stress, so try to keep the bedroom tidy with minimal decor and personal items. Electronic devices - like TVs, computers, and smartphones - emit electromagnetic radiation that can interfere with sleep, so they should be kept out of the bedroom (or at least switched off overnight).
Feng Shui in the Home Office
After the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, more and more people are working from home, making the home office space a crucial area for productivity and creativity. Feng shui principles can help to transform your home office into an environment that promotes focus, efficiency and success.
In your home office, you should have a clear view of the door when you’re sitting at your desk, but also be facing a solid wall. In this way, you’ll get a greater sense of security and support while you’re working.
When it comes to colours, you have more options for your home office. For example, bright colours like yellow and orange can actually promote creativity and energy, whereas you could opt for blues or greens if you prefer to design your office to enhance focus and concentration.
Organisation is also key. Clutter in your home office can hinder your concentration and disrupt the focused mindset, so it’s important to keep your desk and workspace tidy and organised. You can use shelves, and storage boxes to keep your files or other objects in order. However, that’s not to say that you cannot add some personal touches to your working area, such as a piece of art or a family photo.
Last, but not least, add some plants! Plants look great and can breathe new life into a home office space. Some plants, like the peace lily or spider plant, are particularly effective at purifying air too, so they bring even more benefits into your home office.
Feng Shui in the Garden
One of the primary principles of feng shui in the garden is to create a space that flows naturally. This means avoiding harsh angles, sharp corners, or straight lines that can disrupt the natural energy flow of the environment. Instead, you should aim to create rounded or curved pathways, and incorporate soft shapes and gentle curves into the overall design.
Another important principle in the garden is to balance the elements of water, fire, earth, wood, and metal. These elements are believed to influence the energy flow in a garden, and achieving a balance between them can help to create a harmonious environment. For example, a water feature can represent the element of water, while a statue or bench can represent the element of earth.
You should also keep pathways clear and remove any dead or diseased plants, as a well maintained garden will promote a sense of calm and relaxation, helping to maintain a positive energy flow.
Summary
By taking careful note of feng shui’s principles to create a harmonious home environment, you can design a space that supports your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. So, whether you‘re looking to improve your health, boost your career, or cultivate a sense of inner peace, there’s always a place for feng shui in your home design!
If you’d like to learn more, our Feng Shui Diploma Course is currently available for just £29 for a limited time (reduced from £127).
