From the Pros: A Practical Guide to Feng Shui
A harmonious home filled with positive energy starts with a few thoughtful adjustments – and a little expert know-how
The ancient Chinese philosophy of feng shui, literally meaning ‘wind and water’, can be thought of as the art of balancing our physical environment to promote harmony and wellbeing – and its clever principles are just as useful today. According to the principles of feng shui, the placement – and omission of – items throughout the home can have an effect on our energy and wellbeing depending on their direction and position, as well as how different colours and objects interact with one another. Four Feng Shui experts break these down below to provide easy-to-digest design and styling tips, so you can kick off the new year with an abundance of health, wealth, love and energy (Qi).
Consider how easy it is to walk from one end of the room to the other. Can you remove a piece of furniture that stands in your way? Remember, the idea is to introduce comfort and ease of living to your space. “For me, the principles of good feng shui create a fabulous home environment whereby one’s energy can be rested, rejuvenated and replenished,” McKinnon says.
Feng Shui scholar, Rovinna Wangsadinata, says an unbalanced flow of Qi can have more of a physical, emotional and mental impact on our lives than we realise. “Everyone is different, our bodies are different. Not all of us are sensitive to energy. So some might feel it instantly, some don’t. But a consistent accumulation over time will definitely have an impact on our health and wellbeing.”
Feng Shui scholar, Rovinna Wangsadinata, says an unbalanced flow of Qi can have more of a physical, emotional and mental impact on our lives than we realise. “Everyone is different, our bodies are different. Not all of us are sensitive to energy. So some might feel it instantly, some don’t. But a consistent accumulation over time will definitely have an impact on our health and wellbeing.”
Bring good energy through the front door
There are many things you can do to help lift the type of ‘chi’ entering the home. Start by making entering your home a good experience for visitors. “You want people to actually want to enter your home,” Liz Wiggins of Feng Shui Living says. For example, make sure that your door opens easily and doesn’t ‘stick’. If your home isn’t easy to find, try painting the front door in a colour that grabs attention and ensure that it is numbered correctly. “If people find it hard to locate you, the energy will too, which indicates missed opportunities,” she says.
There are many things you can do to help lift the type of ‘chi’ entering the home. Start by making entering your home a good experience for visitors. “You want people to actually want to enter your home,” Liz Wiggins of Feng Shui Living says. For example, make sure that your door opens easily and doesn’t ‘stick’. If your home isn’t easy to find, try painting the front door in a colour that grabs attention and ensure that it is numbered correctly. “If people find it hard to locate you, the energy will too, which indicates missed opportunities,” she says.
According to Wangsadinata, in feng shui certain compass directions or areas of a house relate to certain sectors of our lives such as relationships, health, career, abundance and so on. These will depend on a wide range of factors from your Chinese zodiac (12 animal signs relating to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle – 2017 is the Year of the Rooster) to the location of your home.
“A hallway is a yin [passive] area, it doesn’t get used much and therefore could lead to stagnation of Qi,” Wangsadinata says. However, by turning it into an active area (adding computers and chairs) you can create a flow of Qi in the space.
In feng shui philosophy, this could make a huge difference to your lifestyle. “If the hallway falls in a career or knowledge and self development sector of the house, to transform this space into a home office would positively enhance the career life of the occupants,” Wangsadinata says.
In feng shui philosophy, this could make a huge difference to your lifestyle. “If the hallway falls in a career or knowledge and self development sector of the house, to transform this space into a home office would positively enhance the career life of the occupants,” Wangsadinata says.
Clear your home – and mind – of clutter
Keep open shelving tidy and organised, and be sure not to overfill closed drawers and cupboards. “Clutter down low, like on the floor, drags your energy down, whilst clutter up higher and in cupboards can signify things weighing down on you,” says Wiggins.
“I know that when I have a clean out, which I do every six months or so, my energy is automatically lifted,” says Wiggins.
Keep open shelving tidy and organised, and be sure not to overfill closed drawers and cupboards. “Clutter down low, like on the floor, drags your energy down, whilst clutter up higher and in cupboards can signify things weighing down on you,” says Wiggins.
“I know that when I have a clean out, which I do every six months or so, my energy is automatically lifted,” says Wiggins.
According to Wiggins, items under the bed are especially important as this is the energy you are absorbing while sleeping.
Wiggins also advises removing television sets and phones from calm spaces such as the bedroom if possible. Electronics can emit distracting light as well as releasing low-level radiation that contributes to insomnia. If they must remain, store them in a closed cupboard or drawer when you snooze.
10 steps to a feng shui bedroom
Wiggins also advises removing television sets and phones from calm spaces such as the bedroom if possible. Electronics can emit distracting light as well as releasing low-level radiation that contributes to insomnia. If they must remain, store them in a closed cupboard or drawer when you snooze.
10 steps to a feng shui bedroom
Use colour as a mood enhancer
Another powerful and useful element in feng shui is colour as it creates energy. “Colours can evoke different effects such as drama (black); harmony (green); communication (orange); vitality (purple); stability (brown) and stimulation (red),” McKinnon says.
Another powerful and useful element in feng shui is colour as it creates energy. “Colours can evoke different effects such as drama (black); harmony (green); communication (orange); vitality (purple); stability (brown) and stimulation (red),” McKinnon says.
Plus, according to McKinnon the combinations and the ratio of the amount of colour can can evoke different moods. For example, ‘yang’ is whiteness and symbolic of a new clean slate – so it’s important not to avoid it altogether. “The secret is to use colours to enhance but not to overdo it.”
Each room has a different function and it’s important to consider how each room’s natural features, dimensions and aspect should work together with this function. “For example, some yellow in the kitchen can stimulate appetite and conversation, but too much would be overwhelming,” McKinnon says, “But if there were large glass doors and windows that overlook a green view it would balance a stronger use of yellow.”
See how yellow can be used in a kitchen
See how yellow can be used in a kitchen
Introduce the five elements through art
According to feng shui everything in the universe is made up of a blend of five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. It’s important to find a balance of these to achieve harmony and a good energy flow, and art is a great way to do that. Look out for pieces that feature these elements to introduce to different spaces in your home.
“First, it’s important to select good artwork that you love and that connects with you and inspires,” McKinnon says. “Then look at the individual room location, its function and your lifestyle.” Is it a quiet, contemplative reading and study room, a room for conversation and interaction or a room for dining? Your chosen element can help set the right mood.
According to feng shui everything in the universe is made up of a blend of five elements – wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. It’s important to find a balance of these to achieve harmony and a good energy flow, and art is a great way to do that. Look out for pieces that feature these elements to introduce to different spaces in your home.
“First, it’s important to select good artwork that you love and that connects with you and inspires,” McKinnon says. “Then look at the individual room location, its function and your lifestyle.” Is it a quiet, contemplative reading and study room, a room for conversation and interaction or a room for dining? Your chosen element can help set the right mood.
Water: The ‘water’ element, for example, is both soothing and energising, and according to McKinnon, when placed in the north of the home it stimulates career. “Beautiful images of oceans, streams, beaches and fish work well,” she adds.
Metal: “The ‘metal’ element is very yang [active], which will create fast flowing energy, perfect for networking and business. Placed in the west it will also enhance the luck of your children,” says McKinnon. “Mixed metal sculptures, use of gold leaf and metal-embellished paintings are fabulous for this and very on trend.”
Wood: Images of forests, splashes of green colour on the walls or through accessories or tall cylindrical shapes work to enhance the ‘wood’ element, according to McKinnon. “Ideally the wood element works best in the south-west corner for wealth and the east corner for family,” she says.
Fire: According to feng shui principles, the ‘fire’ element – associated with high energy and creativity – will enhance fame and recognition when placed on a south-facing wall. “Red, purple and hot pink colours, decorative lights and images of sunshine and animals are ideal for this,” says Kathy.
Earth: The ‘earth’ element is best in the south-west and north-west areas of your home, where it is perfect for developing relationships and knowledge. Kathy suggests that images of plants, flowers or ceramic pieces can work well as representations of this element.
Combine elements thoughtfully
How the five elements are placed with each other is of great significance. For example, placing ‘water’ and ‘fire’ together is not recommended, as water is destructive to fire. A common example indoors is not to have the bathroom open to the kitchen.
This also applies outdoors. Landscape designer and feng shui expert, Lynne Mclaughlan from Designascape, advises not to have a barbecue next to a water feature, for example. If you don’t have a choice, Mclaughlan suggests the influence can be broken up by putting a barrier such as wooden decking between the two.
Also remember that, in the same way as indoor feng shui principles, “energy flows beneficially in curves and detrimentally in straight lines,” she says, “if you have straight paths, plant ground covers to soften and spill over onto the path.”
How the five elements are placed with each other is of great significance. For example, placing ‘water’ and ‘fire’ together is not recommended, as water is destructive to fire. A common example indoors is not to have the bathroom open to the kitchen.
This also applies outdoors. Landscape designer and feng shui expert, Lynne Mclaughlan from Designascape, advises not to have a barbecue next to a water feature, for example. If you don’t have a choice, Mclaughlan suggests the influence can be broken up by putting a barrier such as wooden decking between the two.
Also remember that, in the same way as indoor feng shui principles, “energy flows beneficially in curves and detrimentally in straight lines,” she says, “if you have straight paths, plant ground covers to soften and spill over onto the path.”
Think seasonally for a harmonious garden
Mclaughlan suggests that in order to create a sense of balance outdoors, it’s good to introduce plants that will reflect the change of the seasons, whether it be flowering, deciduous trees or foliage that changes colour with the seasons. Plants that create movement are also encouraged, such as grasses that will sway in the breeze.
A beginner’s guide to feng shui in the garden
Mclaughlan suggests that in order to create a sense of balance outdoors, it’s good to introduce plants that will reflect the change of the seasons, whether it be flowering, deciduous trees or foliage that changes colour with the seasons. Plants that create movement are also encouraged, such as grasses that will sway in the breeze.
A beginner’s guide to feng shui in the garden
Adding soothing sounds
“Sound is another way to stimulate energy, with gentle wind chimes in sheltered areas,” says Mclaughlan. “High winds will create a din and be disturbing if the chimes are not in a sheltered place.” Also consider a water feature, a great decor item that will add gentle, soothing sounds to your garden, and will also introduce the water element.
“Sound is another way to stimulate energy, with gentle wind chimes in sheltered areas,” says Mclaughlan. “High winds will create a din and be disturbing if the chimes are not in a sheltered place.” Also consider a water feature, a great decor item that will add gentle, soothing sounds to your garden, and will also introduce the water element.
Balance yin and yang with colour
Yang is active, masculine energy and relates more to the front garden – “sunlight colours such as reds, oranges and yellows are perfect for this area,” Mclaughlan says. Australian natives such as banksia and acacia provide the perfect autumnal hues.
The back garden is more private and has yin energy, which is passive and feminine. Mclaughlan suggests using cool colours such as blue, green and purple for this space. Try lush green ferns and palms, or bee-friendly lavender and borage.
TELL US
Have you adopted feng shui principles at home? Which ones stand out for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Read more decorating stories
Yang is active, masculine energy and relates more to the front garden – “sunlight colours such as reds, oranges and yellows are perfect for this area,” Mclaughlan says. Australian natives such as banksia and acacia provide the perfect autumnal hues.
The back garden is more private and has yin energy, which is passive and feminine. Mclaughlan suggests using cool colours such as blue, green and purple for this space. Try lush green ferns and palms, or bee-friendly lavender and borage.
TELL US
Have you adopted feng shui principles at home? Which ones stand out for you? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more decorating stories
When it comes to furniture, feng shui experts tend to agree that the focus should be on keeping a good traffic flow and avoiding sharp corners and angles that interrupt this. It is said that energy flows much better around curves than in straight lines. According to interior designer Kathy McKinnon, who styled the book Feng Shui in the Home by Siobhan O’Brien, “furniture should feel balanced within the room – generous, comfortable and relaxing but not overcrowded.”
Why curves feel so good