Feng Shui for Beginners: Increase Your Home's Energy Flow
Decorate according to ancient principles with these energy-enhancing strategies
Whether you are hoping to implement a few feng shui techniques to improve the flow of your home, or are thinking of hiring a consultant to give your home a complete energy makeover, learning more about this ancient art is sure to enhance your life at home. Join me and discover some of the principles at work behind feng shui, along with solutions to common design problems that may be affecting your life.
At its heart, feng shui is about the concept of chi (a life force or energy flow) in your home. Just as in traditional Chinese medicine chi is said to flow through the body, in feng shui chi is thought to flow through the home. The nuances of feng shui practice are based on the way we shape the energy that moves in and around our home and rooms. There are several different schools of feng shui, but here I will be focusing on some common foundation concepts.
At its heart, feng shui is about the concept of chi (a life force or energy flow) in your home. Just as in traditional Chinese medicine chi is said to flow through the body, in feng shui chi is thought to flow through the home. The nuances of feng shui practice are based on the way we shape the energy that moves in and around our home and rooms. There are several different schools of feng shui, but here I will be focusing on some common foundation concepts.
Balance your bedroom for a better relationship
Apply the same principle of ‘commanding position’ to your bedroom by placing your bed so that you have a good view of the door from it. Putting the bed directly across from the door is considered unlucky, though, so try to keep it off-centre.
If you are in a relationship, it is also important to have bedside tables and lamps of equal sizes, as this suggests equality in the relationship.
Learn more about applying feng shui principles to your bedroom
Apply the same principle of ‘commanding position’ to your bedroom by placing your bed so that you have a good view of the door from it. Putting the bed directly across from the door is considered unlucky, though, so try to keep it off-centre.
If you are in a relationship, it is also important to have bedside tables and lamps of equal sizes, as this suggests equality in the relationship.
Learn more about applying feng shui principles to your bedroom
Aim to include the five elements in each room
While it is not necessary to literally incorporate the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth and metal), try to bring something that represents the elements into your space. For instance, glass or a mirror can embody water, try a candle or lamp for fire, and ceramics for earth. A room with all five elements present will feel comfortable and balanced.
Read more on how to feng shui your dining zone here
While it is not necessary to literally incorporate the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth and metal), try to bring something that represents the elements into your space. For instance, glass or a mirror can embody water, try a candle or lamp for fire, and ceramics for earth. A room with all five elements present will feel comfortable and balanced.
Read more on how to feng shui your dining zone here
Clear the clutter for health and energy
One of the simplest (though perhaps not the quickest) ways to get started aligning your home with the principles of feng shui is to clear the clutter. Clutter saps our energy, both physically by getting in our way, and subconsciously by reminding us of unfinished tasks. A clean, uncluttered home signifies health and vibrant energy – something most of us could use more of!
One of the simplest (though perhaps not the quickest) ways to get started aligning your home with the principles of feng shui is to clear the clutter. Clutter saps our energy, both physically by getting in our way, and subconsciously by reminding us of unfinished tasks. A clean, uncluttered home signifies health and vibrant energy – something most of us could use more of!
Learn about the bagua and find the symbolism of each room
If you want to delve a bit deeper into feng shui, you will need to familiarise yourself with the bagua. The bagua map is an octagon, with each of the eight sides corresponding to a different area of life: reputation, relationships, children, helpful people, career/path in life, self-knowledge, new beginnings/family and prosperity. The centre represents health.
By positioning the bagua map over a floor plan of your home or a specific room, you can determine where the areas of the bagua are in your own space.
You may also want to bring feng shui principles into your garden
If you want to delve a bit deeper into feng shui, you will need to familiarise yourself with the bagua. The bagua map is an octagon, with each of the eight sides corresponding to a different area of life: reputation, relationships, children, helpful people, career/path in life, self-knowledge, new beginnings/family and prosperity. The centre represents health.
By positioning the bagua map over a floor plan of your home or a specific room, you can determine where the areas of the bagua are in your own space.
You may also want to bring feng shui principles into your garden
Give the front of your house a feng shui makeover
The way energy flows from the street into your home is very important. The goal is to protect your home from the busy energy of the street, while at the same time graciously welcoming visitors.
If you have a busy street in front of the house, try planting trees or shrubs near the footpath, adding a verandah or partially concealing your front steps, or placing heavy statues or large potted plants near the front walk. Pathways should be gently curving to the front door, rather than going in a long, straight line.
If you want to encourage more visitors, use lighting to draw the eye in, wider steps to your front door and large, clearly visible house numbers.
Learn how to use feng shui to bring positive energy to your front entrance
The way energy flows from the street into your home is very important. The goal is to protect your home from the busy energy of the street, while at the same time graciously welcoming visitors.
If you have a busy street in front of the house, try planting trees or shrubs near the footpath, adding a verandah or partially concealing your front steps, or placing heavy statues or large potted plants near the front walk. Pathways should be gently curving to the front door, rather than going in a long, straight line.
If you want to encourage more visitors, use lighting to draw the eye in, wider steps to your front door and large, clearly visible house numbers.
Learn how to use feng shui to bring positive energy to your front entrance
Familiarise yourself with common feng shui ‘cures’
Once you begin looking at your home from a feng shui point of view, you come to see that the principles have a lot to do with symbolism. Sharp corners suggest danger, dying plants are a sign of poor health and so on. What is your home telling you?
Once you get the feeling for this, you can play around with applying your own feng shui cures. Common cures that can be helpful in many situations include hanging mirrors, using octagonal shapes, crystals (especially hung from the ceiling), leafy green plants and water features (running water for energy or, deeper still, water for contemplation).
Once you begin looking at your home from a feng shui point of view, you come to see that the principles have a lot to do with symbolism. Sharp corners suggest danger, dying plants are a sign of poor health and so on. What is your home telling you?
Once you get the feeling for this, you can play around with applying your own feng shui cures. Common cures that can be helpful in many situations include hanging mirrors, using octagonal shapes, crystals (especially hung from the ceiling), leafy green plants and water features (running water for energy or, deeper still, water for contemplation).
Problem: Door opens to face a wall.
Feng shui solution: If your front entry door opens up to a wall only a metre or so away, this can create a blocked feeling upon entering your home. Try hanging artwork to draw the eye inside. A mirror, while used a great deal in feng shui cures, would reflect the energy back into the street which is not ideal in this case, as you want your guests to stay inside.
Feng shui solution: If your front entry door opens up to a wall only a metre or so away, this can create a blocked feeling upon entering your home. Try hanging artwork to draw the eye inside. A mirror, while used a great deal in feng shui cures, would reflect the energy back into the street which is not ideal in this case, as you want your guests to stay inside.
Problem: Heavy objects overhead.
Feng shui solution: Even if a giant light fixture or heavy mirror is securely attached, subconsciously it can make you feel worried. The only thing to do in this case is either to move the item or reposition the furniture below it. Here, you could simply move the bed a bit to the left.
Feng shui solution: Even if a giant light fixture or heavy mirror is securely attached, subconsciously it can make you feel worried. The only thing to do in this case is either to move the item or reposition the furniture below it. Here, you could simply move the bed a bit to the left.
Problem: Slanted ceiling.
Feng shui solution: Slanted ceilings are thought to create uncomfortable energy for those sitting or working beneath them. Try placing an upward-facing light or a healthy plant in the lower corner to balance the downward energy.
YOUR TURN
Tell us how you enhanced your home with feng shui and include a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
MORE
Room of the Week: A Gem of a Living Area With Feng-Shui Values
Houzz Tour: Feng Shui Meets Indigenous Culture in This Melbourne Home
From the Pros: A Practical Guide to Feng Shui
Feng shui solution: Slanted ceilings are thought to create uncomfortable energy for those sitting or working beneath them. Try placing an upward-facing light or a healthy plant in the lower corner to balance the downward energy.
YOUR TURN
Tell us how you enhanced your home with feng shui and include a high-resolution photo in the comments section below.
MORE
Room of the Week: A Gem of a Living Area With Feng-Shui Values
Houzz Tour: Feng Shui Meets Indigenous Culture in This Melbourne Home
From the Pros: A Practical Guide to Feng Shui
It may seem like a lovely idea to put your desk facing a window with a view, but before you settle in, consider the feng shui concept of ‘commanding position’. By placing your desk in a place where you can see most of the room, including the doorway, you are likely to feel more secure and in charge of your space. Also, consider the primary purpose of your room: is it to relax or daydream? If so, placing your desk directly in front of a window may be ideal, but if your goal is to work efficiently, then another layout may be better for you.
Still want to take advantage of the view? Try positioning your desk with the window to one side, so you can look out the window when you need a break.
Read more on how to feng shui your home office here