Feb 20, 2018 Feng Shui

At this time of year, with grey skies and more than our fair share of rain, you may be looking to increase the positive energy in your life. We definitely are!

Feng Shui is based on the belief that all objects possess an energy called chi and you can use chi to bring you good luck, wealth and harmony. The basic principle of a feng shui home is that the design and furniture layout effect the flow of chi. Good flow, and good things can happen.

Okay, that’s greatly simplified. Truly understanding this over 3000 year old art and science can take years of study. But there are a few simple feng shui principles that you can apply to bring better chi into your own home.

  1. Less is more

Take a page from Mary Kondo’s book and de-clutter, de-clutter, declutter. The “less is more” approach increases light and improves airflow. This applies to all areas of the house, including the kitchen. Put away counter-top knickknacks and unused appliances to create a clean, fresh space.

  1. Let there be light

Bring in as much natural light as possible. Even in winter, draw back the curtains and open the windows regularly to allow in fresh air. And try not to rely on heavily- scented products such as air fresheners with artificial fragrances.

  1. Make a good first impression

The entrance to your home should be calm and inviting. A mirror or stairway facing the door isn’t considered good feng shui, as they can misdirect energy and prevent it from being distributed evenly through the house. Obviously, a staircase isn’t something you can easily change. But by adding plants, flowers, soft lighting and/or a nice entryway rug, you can warm up and ground the space.

  1. Keep on top of repairs

Traditionally, the hearth was the center of the home, a place of warmth, comfort and security. You don’t want the modern-day version to be leave you cold, so ensure that your oven and elements are in top working condition. Have a drip or a leak? Get it fixed. It represents money trickling away.

  1. Close the lid

On a related note, keep toilet lids shut and sink drains closed. This prevents your money and your good luck from going down the drain. (Not to mention that esthetically, toilets look better this way.)

  1. Balance the elements

Feng Shui focuses on five elements – earth, water, wood, metal and fire. Because there is so much “water” in the bathroom, consider introducing some of the other elements. For example, adding plants (earth), or a wooden bathroom stool, can help to bring balance to the space.

  1. Think about ease of movement

A bed should be easily accessible from both sides and not placed under a window or facing a door. The best positioning is to the side of the door, so that you can still see it. And don’t sleep with your feet pointing directly towards the door, that’s known as the coffin position.

In the living room, a couch works best against wall. If that’s not doable, consider putting a console table behind it to ground it.

No matter the room, you want to ensure that it’s easy to maneuver around furniture, with nothing block the flow and energy.

Have any other home organizing principles or habits? We’d love to hear them!

 

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