By Alycia Hartzell
These words in Chinese translate to ‘wind-water’. Feng shui or wind-water is a system of placement believed to use the laws of both heaven and earth to help improve life by receiving positive energy flow. Feng shui aka wind-water was widely used to orient buildings, spiritually significant structures like tombs, as well as dwellings. The goal of feng shui as practiced today is to situate the human built environment on spots with good qi. or “perfect spot”.
Presently, and mostly in US – western practices, we use feng shui as formula in which we design our interior spaces. Meaning, the placement of our furnishings in a space is based on what will create the best energy flow for the room. Why would one want to create this? Well is it not obvious? Even if you do not welcome eastern or Asian traditions, isn’t peaceful energy flow in your home or office space better than negative energy flow?
Here are some ideas on how to feng shui your home or office:
1 – Begin with clearing out the clutter. Remove or dispose of any unnecessary objects that are taking up space. If you have things out that you are not needing to access on a daily basis, put them in a different place. It is a good idea to start with your storage units; closets, cabinets, shelving – dispose all things you do not need and then organize these areas, creating room for things you do actually need. The idea is that a room should be a room – even if we are talking about a kitchen or office, all things should have a place and there should be minimal visible clutter upon entering the room or space.
2 – Good air quality and light are also key for good energy or chi – universal energy (energy inside your body and the energy around you externally). To achieve this, you must open up the windows as much as possible to let fresh air in. In colder climates, an air purifier and/or air purifying plants are great for this. Allow as much natural light as possible into your home. Purchasing full-spectrum lights is good too.
3 – Decorate in colors that support good energy and mood. Choose colors that represent the kind of energy you are trying to achieve in your space. Examples of energy/mood are; calm, energetic, minimalistic, or clean. Color plays a huge part in the energy one feels upon entering a space. Balance light and dark colors along with smooth and rough textures.
4 – Furniture placement is a large part of practicing feng shui in your home or office. It is important not to block or interfere with the chi aka energy flow of the room. Never force furniture or accessories into a tight space. Less is always more when it comes to feng shui-ing a space. Keep it minimal and keep it simple. Position the furniture so it has a good view of the entryways. For example, in a bedroom, always have a wall at the head of your bed. This supports your mind. Make sure that when laying in your bed, your body (feet) are facing the entryway and that it is visible. A good view of the entry way is also key for couches, desks, sinks, chairs, and stoves. If this is not possible, hang a mirror so that you are able to see the entryway. There should be at least 3 feet of space between the furniture in a room. Pay special attention the space between night stands, couches and tables. Always keep in mind, coziness, comfort, and good conversation, these are all things you definitely want to have in a room. Also arranging furniture toward the main focal point of the room or space is a good idea too. Example, in a living room, the focal point could be a fireplace or hearth. Regarding decorative accessories, place them at eye level and if there is a large piece of furniture along side a wall, place the accessory for example, a painting, above the large furniture. Always aim to create harmony in a room.
Feng Shui is a way to maximize our living and working environments. It creates positive energy flow, giving us the best possible comfort in the spaces we spend a majority of our time in.
About the Author: Alycia Hartzell is a seasoned design professional with experience in both residential and commercial interior design. She writes for ContemporaryRugMall.com – a leading retailer of contemporary rugs. Learn more at: http://www.contemporaryrugmall.com
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Read the rest here: How to Decorate Using Feng Shui
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