What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of the arrangement of buildings and objects and the organization of space within an environment to create harmony and balance. Evidence suggests that this practice has been used in some ancient Chinese homes and towns for thousands of years. So, what does Feng Shui mean? ‘Feng’ translates to ‘wind’ and ‘Shui’ translates to ‘water’ and is derived from the idea that human life relates to the environment around it.
While Feng Shui is a very old practice, it still has many modern-day applications to help people design a space that supports feelings of comfort and safety. Why does this matter? Because our perception of our environment can determine how we think and behave in life and our homes are often a place where we spend a lot of our time. Feng Shui can be used as a tool to make your home a space where you feel good, powerful, and supported in your health and wellness.
Basic Feng Shui Principles
Starting out with the basics, Feng Shui is about letting energy flow throughout your house. Start with removing any obstacles and blocks that may be in the way of the physical path you walk through your home.
Brighten up your entryway as your entry represents how energy enters your home and your life. Declutter and remove any debris in the spot where you and others enter your home. Make the space bright and inviting.
The commanding position is a common term used in Feng Shui practice and it is meant to represent a position you are in to receive positive energy and the best opportunities. You want to apply this position to the location of your bed, desk, stove, and sofa – when applicable. Ideally, when you are in these spots, you want to be able to see the door from them without being directly in line with it.
Bring plants into your house. Plants connect us to nature bringing vibrancy, freshness, and life energy into the home.
Feng Shui Your Living Room
Decluttering is a huge part of Feng Shui basics and should be applied to every room in your house. In Feng Shui terms – decluttering and airing out your living room will allow energy to flow freely through it. Create a comfortable and inviting space by positioning furniture to encourage communication. If possible, your seating should be placed against a solid wall and the sofa should face the front door. Don’t over-accessorize any shelving in your living room, again keeping clutter to a minimum. Another principle is keeping the TV from being the focal point in the room. You don’t want your TV mounted over your fireplace if you have one.
Feng Shui Your Kitchen
According to Feng Shui, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms for your health with the stove as its heart. If your cabinets don’t reach all the way to the ceiling, it can be beneficial to fill the space with plants or kitchen décor to prevent the accumulation of dust (and negative energy). Consider adding metal and wood accents to promote productivity and strengthen family bonds.
Feng Shui Your Home Office
Less is more is one of the leading Feng Shui design rules and should be applied to your home office space. Along with decluttering and organizing, leave only pieces of furniture and items that will contribute to your productivity and help visualize your goals. The best position for your desk is facing the door, against a solid wall (the commanding position). This defines how you “face” future business opportunities. Because Feng Shui principles encourage harmony with the environment, choose a wooden desk that brings a natural aesthetic to your workspace. When deciding on color, choose shades that nourish creativity. The best shades to relax your mind and promote focus are yellow, green, and blue.
Feng Shui Your Bedroom
Start with finding the commanding position for your bed if it works for your space. The bed should rest against a wall opposite the door but not directly in front of it. You still want to be able to see the door when lying in bed. Use a solid headboard with soft edges to create feelings of support and protection. In general, you want to avoid furniture with sharp corners, preferring décor that promotes tranquility and rest. Earthy shades work well here such as beige, grey, off-white, and terracotta. Style the room with comfy pillows and nightstand pairs with lamps on either side of the bed for balance.
Consider what you want your home to feel like and what the space means to you. Feng Shui can be used to help set the right tone for guests and welcome you home after a long day. When using this practice to decorate or rearrange your home, think of it as a mindfulness of spaces. Your home is important and should be a place that supports you and your well-being.
Sources: The Spruce, Everyday Health, Parachute, Home and Gardens
Founded in 1971, First Weber Realtors® is a part of HomeServices of America, the nation’s largest provider of total home services. With 60 offices and more than 1,400 real estate professionals, First Weber is consistently number one in Wisconsin for unit sales and real estate sales volume. You can start searching for Wisconsin real estate and Wisconsin real estate agents at firstweber.com
