The ancient art of feng shui is credited with helping us organize our homes for maximum well-being and happiness. And it certainly has some high-profile fans, including Meghan Merkle, who claims to have used it in the Frogmore Cottage renovation. While many wellness crazes focus only on the person, feng shui teaches us to pay attention to our living environment and what kinds of stories we are telling with the way we arrange our homes. we think marie kondo is probably a fan. Not to mention Swedish death-cleansing guru, Margareta Magnusson. so we thought we’d find more.
There are many books and guides online on feng shui, ranging from practical tips to somewhat esoteric practices that won’t be to everyone’s taste. however, most of us will be able to appreciate the basic principles of feng shui and find some use in our homes. These simple tips for every room in the house will cut through the jargon to help you create a home that’s relaxed, invites more positive opportunities, and can even help you get more work done.
Reading: Basic feng shui rules
get more wellness by organizing and decluttering tricks on our cleaning pages.
1. feng shui rule
Although there are countless feng shui rules for different rooms and types of houses, there are some general rules that everyone can follow to improve the general well-being within their home. follow these and feel the difference:
- keep your work area separate from your living area: this is a particularly important rule for those who work from home; if your living space is open, separate your work area with a screen;
- don’t sleep with your head by the window: your mind and body should be protected from outside forces while you sleep;
- do not align the front door with the back door: any positive energy in your home will flow out;
- avoid locating your living room or bedroom on the ground floor: it is considered that rooms that are below ground level lower your energy;
- avoid living next to a graveyard, for obvious reasons.
2. feng shui colors
why?
color is a big part of feng shui, with different colors corresponding to one of the five feng shui elements.
how
Use the elements and their corresponding colors below when decorating or adding accessories to positively affect the energy in your home:
wood: Green and brown are the colors of positivity, new energy, and rebirth; ideal for renewing spaces that feel tired and full of stale energy.
fire: red, yellow, pink are the colors of passion and vitality; use it whenever you feel like you’re lacking these (a bouquet, anyone?).
water: blue and black are the colors of wisdom; great for meditation (think bedrooms).
earth: browns and sand tones are considered calming and soothing colors; great if you’re feeling off balance or perfect for a comfy or lively kid’s bedroom.
metal: white and gray are the colors of concentration and focus; ideal for study areas or to bring more energy to a space.
find inspiration in our room color galleries:
- white living room ideas
- white kitchen ideas
- white bedroom ideas
- blue room design ideas
- yellow room ideas
- orange room design ideas
- green bedroom ideas
- pink room ideas
- ideas gray living room
- ideas for gray bedrooms
- ideas for gray hallways
3. feng shui decorating
why?
Feng shui decoration allows for great individual flexibility: the placement of furniture is far more important than the quirks of individual decoration. however, you can use some decorative elements to further enhance the positive energy in your room.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
Mirrors are very important to those who practice feng shui and can be used to redirect energy flows in your home. use mirrors to improve the visibility of your front door (the most important part of your home). however, avoid hanging a mirror directly across from your bed.
lucky objects or cures: these lucky symbols can be scattered throughout the house and are excellent decorative pieces. Animal-shaped objects in particular are believed to bring luck to your homes: a tortoise-shaped decoration will bring longevity; a lion will drive away evil spirits; and a golden toad will bring money to the house.
See also: How To Build A Money Bowl For Prosperity [15 DIY Tips]
Aim high: Feng shui is all about spaciousness and light, so even if you live in a small space, try to visually enhance its height by hanging your art higher and using pendant lights to emphasize space.
4. feng shui tips for hallways: invite positive energy into your home
why?
The hallway is probably the most important space in the house according to feng shui, and the front door is the most important place of all. Known as the ‘mouth of chi’, the gate is what allows positive energy and opportunity to flow into your home.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
ideally, you should always be able to see the door from your study space, kitchen or living room. If you can’t see the door for structural reasons, position a hallway mirror (see our pick for the best) in a way that gives you a glimpse of it.
Cluttered hallways, especially when clutter blocks the front door, is a big feng shui no-no. the door must always be able to open at least 90 degrees. streamlined hallways with a minimum of furniture are best. or good hallway storage ideas to hide clutter.
5. feng shui bedroom tips: relax and become more grounded
why?
The bedroom is the room that most identifies with you, and it is the place where you relax and fix any problem in your life.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
Always position your bed facing the door, as this position is believed to direct the flow of positive energy towards you. color and material are important elements in bedroom design: if you feel unsettled or if your relationship is suffering, choose furniture made from dark solid wood. headboards are also very auspicious and promote a sense of grounding and deep sleep.
Feng shui holds that the bed should always be placed in a way that allows energy to circulate freely around it, with nothing blocking the sides or the space below. If you live in a small space and really need to use the space under your bed, make sure you only store soft stuff underneath, like duvets and spare bedding (hey, we’re thinking storage beds, folks). never keep books, personal mementos or sneakers under your bed – these things are considered too active and will prevent you from relaxing. And, if you are single and looking for a partner, do not put your bed next to a wall, since you are symbolically preventing someone from sleeping next to you.
For more practical tips, read our guide on how to design a bedroom.
6. Feng Shui kitchen tips: maximise prosperity
why?
The kitchen symbolizes the prosperity and wealth of a family, so a spacious and well-equipped kitchen with a very good stove is considered an important investment not only literally, but also to attract even more prosperity to your home.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
Good flow is important, so try to arrange your kitchen items so you don’t bump into corners all the time. It’s also very bad for feng shui for the kitchen door to face the bathroom door: in fact, these two rooms should be as far apart as possible. and the best feng shui kitchen color? it is white.
Explore many white kitchen ideas in our gallery.
7. feng shui tips for the living room: invite energy and positivity
why?
The living room is the room in the house that best reflects how much energy you have and what might be holding you back.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
Creating a feeling of openness and light is essential, which is why feng shui advocates not cluttering living rooms with furniture. If you feel the need for more energy, feel exhausted and low, choosing green furniture, especially a green sofa (see our selection of the best ones), or green paint for your living room is a good idea. green is the color of the wood element in feng shui and represents energy and life. avoid hanging wall art too low, as this invites low energy levels (see our guide for how to get it right). never keep any broken items in your living room.
Explore our gallery of green living rooms in our gallery.
8. Feng Shui home office tips: concentrate and be productive
why?
Everyone wants more productivity in our home offices, and there are plenty of tips on how to achieve it.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
According to feng shui, the position of our desks is absolutely crucial to success: your back should never face the door. color is also important: if you feel like you can’t concentrate, try adding something made of metal, like a metal memory plate, or even paint a wall a silver color. neutral and earthy tones (think browns and creams) are best in the home office if you’re frequently stressed.
Check out our gallery of home office design ideas for more inspiration.
9. bathroom feng shui tips: de-stress and find wisdom
why?
If you love to think about the bathroom, there’s a good reason: Despite the unfortunate reputation bathrooms have in feng shui, there is a way to transform them into tranquil spaces where you can gain wisdom.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
In feng shui, the element of water represents wisdom and is represented by dark blue or black colors, so a bathroom with black or blue tiles is very auspicious. make sure the toilet lid is always down and avoid hanging mirrors that reflect the toilet. Also, if possible, avoid placing your bathroom in the center of your home, as it will absorb all the good energy.
Take a look at our gallery of black bathrooms.
10. clear feng shui: how to do it right
why?
Decluttering is an important part of having good feng shui in your home. and we’re big fans of that.
See also: How to Use the Feng Shui Compass for Abundance?
how?
We have already mentioned how to get rid of broken objects. It’s also important not to have dusty corners: dust is a physical manifestation of stagnation, so a dusty room suggests that this part of your life is being neglected.
In feng shui, it is also important to have wardrobes that ‘breathe’: if your wardrobe is completely full of clothes, it is as if you are saying that your life is completely full, with no room for new things or experiences.
We have lots of tips for organizing your wardrobe in our guide.
See also: How To Use 9 Lemons In A Bowl [Feng Shui Negativity Cure]
want more tips on lifestyle and home?
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