With the demand of fast-paced lifestyles, it’s never been more important to create a space where you can feel at ease, peaceful and relaxed. Our environment can have a huge impact on our physical and mental health and general wellness.
Incorporating good Feng Shui into your home helps us create a more peaceful, harmonious and relaxing home.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is a Chinese practice focusing on balancing the energy in your home to encourage harmony, peace and mindfulness.
FIVE FENG SHUI ELEMENTS
Feng Shui uses five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. In Feng Shui, balancing the elements helps to create an environment that is comfortable and beneficial to your personal goals.
Wood
Wood represents energy, creativity, expansion, transformation and passion. Use rectangular and vertical shapes in shades of green and blue.
Fire
Fire represents personal growth, inspiration, renewal and expression. Use triangular shapes in shades of red, pink and purple.
Earth
Earth represents comfort, safety, grounding, stability and balance. Use square and rectangular shapes in earthy tones like brown, green and sand.
Metal
Metal represents mental clarity and strength, logic, focus and organisation. Use round shapes in pastel shades, white and grey.
Water
Water represents the flow of money, career, wisdom, insight and inspiration. Use wavy, free-form shapes in shades of blue, black and dark tones.
THE BAGUA MAP
The Bagua map is essentially the Feng Shui house layout, helping you to identify areas in your life that need support and how they connect to your home. The best way to incorporate the Bagua map into your home is to identify a few areas that need the most attention. For example, if you would like to improve your knowledge & self-cultivation, you can incorporate more dark blues and earth elements northeast in your space.
You can use the Bagua map in your home by following the recommended element, colour and room placement connected to each area of your life. Follow the general tips below:
Wealth & Prosperity
Colour: Purple, blue and red
Element: Wood
Placement: South East
Fame & Reputation
Colour: Red
Element: Fire
Placement: South
Love & Partnership
Colour: Pink
Element: Earth
Placement: South West
Health & Family
Colour: Shades of green and blue
Element: Wood
Placement: East
Health & Centre
Colour: Earth tones and yellow, orange, and brown
Element: Earth
Placement: Centre
Creativity & Children
Colour: White
Element: Metal
Placement: West
Knowledge & Self-Cultivation
Colour: Black, dark blue and green
Element: Earth
Placement: North East
Career & Life Path
Colour: Black and blue
Element: Water
Placement: North
Helpful People & Travel
Colour: Grey
Element: Metal
Placement: North West
YIN AND YANG
Yin and Yang refers to complementary energies within the home to create balance, such as light and dark, cold and warm or feminine and masculine. For a Feng Shui house, balance is key.
Key Feng Shui Principles Room by Room
ENTRYWAY
In Feng Shui, the entryway of your home is called the ‘mouth of qi’ (or mouth of energy). The front door is the portal of the energy in your home and therefore, your life.
Do
– Make sure your doorbell is functioning
– Hang artwork in your hallway
– Keep your entryway brightly lit
Avoid
– Clutter in your hallway, as this represents life obstacles
The bedroom should be the space you feel most comfortable, relaxed and safe.
Feng Shui bed placement follows the commanding position. In Feng Shui, the commanding position means that when you’re lying in bed, you can see the door to the bedroom, but you’re not directly in line with it. This position ensures you’re prepared and able to see whatever may enter the door. Positive energy placement for a Feng Shui bedroom also encourages the bedhead to be placed on a solid wall, with space on both sides of the bed.
Do
BEDROOM
– Use the commanding position
– Place bedhead against a solid wall
– Have space on both sides of the bed
– Pairs of everything–pillows, bedside tables and lamps
– Natural, muted shades
Avoid
Doing work in the bedroom–this space should only be for rest and relaxation.
– Having too many houseplants in the bedroom
– Keeping much technology in the bedroom. Remove TVs, electronics, appliances and phones from the room
– Placing your mirror in front of the bed
– Hanging art above the bed
– Sharp corners
– Under-bed storage or clutter, as this can interrupt the flow of energy
LIVING ROOM
Since the living room is a place to gather with family and friends, it should be welcoming, warm and inviting. A Feng Shui living room should use the Bagua map elements based on the energies you’d like to cultivate in your life.
Do
– Use a mirror to open up the space
– Place the couch and armchairs in the commanding position
– Incorporate houseplants for wellness and growth
Avoid
– Living room clutter, which can block the flow of energy
– A mix of different flooring in the living room as this can weaken the energy
DINING ROOM
If you have a dining room, keep it only as a space to dine and connect with your family, friends and loved ones.
Do
– Use the dining table for meals regularly–this can help attract more friendship and connection in your life
– Keep fresh flowers in the room or on the table. This acts as an invitation for energy to help unclench our connections with others.
Avoid
– Using the dining table for other purposes. If you do, clean up for meals.
KITCHEN
According to Feng Shui, the kitchen represents abundance, health and prosperity, with the stove being connected to wellness.
Do
– Place the stove in the commanding position
– A regular deep clean
– Keep the stove clean and in working condition
– Use the stove at least once a day to keep energy flowing and active
– Dispose of expired food
Avoid
– Broken and chipped mugs, cutlery and other kitchenware
– Toxic cleaners
BATHROOM
The bathroom can be a challenge in Feng Shui, as it bears a lot of the water element. With water being flushed and drained out of pipes, this can signify the draining of wealth and prosperity.
Do
– Keep the bathroom door closed to avoid negative energy seeping into the home
– Keep your bathroom fresh, clean and tidy
– Keep your bathroom in good condition and working order
– Close the toilet seat
– Keep mirrors clean for clarity
– Add a houseplant–plants can transform the downward energy of water in the bathroom into life energy, promoting growth
Avoid
– Having your bathroom directly opposite your front door–if this is not a possibility, place a mirror on the bathroom door, so the bathroom is not the first thing you see when you enter your home.
HOME OFFICE
The Feng Shui of your office is key to your success in work, as your office space and desk represent your career. Your Feng Shui office should feel comfortable and promote productivity.
Do
– Use a comfortable chair with a back for support. This symbolises support in your career. Try using an ergonomic chair for extra comfort and support
– Place your desk in the commanding position
– Keep space between your desk and chair to help the flow of energy
Avoid
– Keeping your desk in your bedroom
