Ways to add Feng Shui to your home

Often a reflection of our innermost thoughts, our homes provide an intimate glimpse into our subconscious beliefs and emotions. If we are distracted we tend to misplace things— keys, important documents or headphones mysteriously disappear. When we unravel emotionally, our homes become a direct reflection of our inner turmoil. As we become increasingly disorganized,  “stuff” piles up and we clutter our space with unnecessary objects. In an article titled, “Mind Over Mess,” by Wanda Urbanska,

“Clutter accumulates when energy stagnates, and, likewise, energy stagnates when clutter accumulates. So the clutter begins as a symptom of what is happening with you in your life and then becomes part of the problem itself, because the more of it you have, the more stagnant energy it attracts to itself.”

The physical reality of clutter negatively impacts our mental state by changing our perceptions of ourselves and space. We can unpack our emotional baggage and explore the story we choose to tell about ourselves through our home with feng shui.

We will let you in on tips on how to add Feng Shui to balance the mind as well as harmonizing your home. Before we get to that, let’s see where it all began.

The History of Feng Shui

An ancient system of balancing the energy of the home to ensure health, prosperity and good fortune, feng shui has been used throughout China for over 3,000 years. Feng shui was used in the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC) to identify the ideal balance of terrain and water to build palaces.

About Feng Shui

“Feng Shui” which translates to wind & water, is based on the Taoist understanding of nature. Feng shui practitioners use a compass and bagua to analyze the space of a home. A bagua is an octagonal grid which contains the symbols of the I Ching. The bagua helps practitioners understand how a given area in their home connects to a specific area in life. This compass or lug-pan consists of bands grouped around a magnetic needle and is used to retrieve more information about a space or building. Together, both objects help practitioners examine and align the energy between the person and their environment. Feng shui offers a number of practices to shift the energy of a home in order to support harmony and balance.

Now that you know what Feng Shui is and have learned about its history, let’s show you how you can incorporate feng shui to the home.

 

Feng Shui your home

 

Add Feng Shui to The Living Room

The energy of the living room should feel strong and positive. To accomplish this, the living room should be clutter-free and clean. Organize the living room and get rid of old, worn or used furniture. Open the curtains to get good quality air and plenty of sunlight. If your living room only has a few windows, hang mirrors so that they can reflect the light throughout your home. In addition to opening the windows for better air quality, try placing plants in your living room to diffuse stagnant energy. To scent the air, try a high-quality aromatherapy diffuser using your favorite essential oils. We recommend jasmine, lavender or yang yang essential oils. According to Feng Shui Your Living Room in 10 Steps, an article by feng shui expert Rodika Tchi,

“The bagua is the feng shui energy map of your space. In order to create the best feng shui energy in your living room, it is best to define the bagua of your home first. Once you know the feng shui area of your living room, you will have clarity on the best choice of colors, shapes and materials based on the feng shui element that needs to be supported there.”

If your living room falls into the south of the bagua for example, you may want to decorate using fire or wood and use colors that coordinate with the south such as red, orange, yellow, purple, and dark brown. The article continues,

Just as there are specific colors that will help you create good feng shui energy in your living room, there are also specific decorating shapes that can strengthen the desired prosperous and happy feng shui energy in your living room.”

For example, if your living room fell into the north bagua it would be best to decorate with metal, glass or mirror-like objects.

add Feng Shui to The Kitchen

Because of its importance to your health and sense of well-being, the kitchen is an important part of the feng shui of the home. Associated with the feng shui symbol of wealth and prosperity, the kitchen should be well-lit and spacious. If you don’t already face the door when you cook, strategically place a mirror to reflect the entrance way. Avoid placing large objects overhead as they will contribute to feeling overwhelmed. Since the stove is associated with the element of fire, it is usually placed south or southwest in the kitchen.

 

Add Feng Shui to The Bathroom

To transform the energy of your bathroom, make sure the toilet is not in the center of the bathroom. Make sure the bathroom mirror does not reflect dirt and clutter because mirrors are believed to double what they reflect. And, to naturally rid your bathroom of bad odors, add plants. According to an article from Feng shui and Beyond entitled Create the Perfect Feng Shui Bathroom,

Do not put photographs of yourself, friends, or family members in your bathroom. The same goes for any images relating to your career, personal projects or passions – you’ll just be flushing them down the drain if you do! You also want to make sure that the bedroom and bathroom are visually separated — use a screen or curtain if necessary.”

According to ”Feng Shui and Beyond,” here are additional tips for improving the feng shui of your bathroom:

• Your bathroom must be beautiful and clutter-free.
• Keep it well ventilated to allow air and energy to flow. It will also smell better this way.
• Your bathroom should be well-lit.
• Use beautiful and healthy colors like greens and blues.
• Place live plants to purify the air and bring in vital energy.
• Use appropriate images as a metaphor for purification and renewal— like trees, flowers, meadows, the sea, and rivers.
• Keep the toilet lid down and the door closed.
• Keep drains closed when not in use.
• Add some wood elements to balance the water.
• Uplift and enhance energy with a faceted crystal.

 

add Feng Shui to The Bedroom

The bedroom should promote harmonious sensual energy. The feng shui of this room should feel inviting yet soothing at the same time. Avoid placing electronics or exercise equipment in the bedroom since these items are distractive and bring in the energy of work. Use an air purifier to improve the quality of the air in your bedroom. Try opening the windows to rid your space of stale air or pollutants.

According to the CCTV article Quick tips to add feng shui your home and office,

In the bedroom, the ceiling is important, skylights and overhead beams can be unfavorable, especially if they are directly over a bed indicating a split down the middle… One way to balance this is to cover the beams with fabric.”

Make sure your bed is not directly aligned with the door as it is believed that the dead are carried out feet first from the bedroom and so it is best not to sleep facing the door. Your bed should be easily accessible on both sides and each side should have a bedside table. Choose soothing colors when decorating your bedroom. “Skin colors,” are considered the best colors for this room and the decor should support restorative sleep. Your head should be supported by a sturdy headboard or wall. And, the bedroom should be devoid of water elements including family photos of spiritual deities.

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Sources:

“Feng Shui Bathroom Tips,”
“Quick tips to feng shui your home and office”  
Tchi, Rodika. “What is Feng Shui?”
Tchi, Rodika. “How To Feng Shui Your Bedroom,”
Tchi, Rodika “Feng Shui Your Living Room in 10 Steps,”
Urbanska, Wanda. “Mind Over Mess,”
Z Living Staff “What Is Feng Shui?”