According to Chinese astrology, 2022 is the year of the Water Tiger, a creature that embodies ambition, competitive spirit, impulsiveness, and communication. so step into a positive year by putting some feng shui into practice at home and ushering in family harmony and personal growth. But before you get to that, learn all about the philosophy of feng shui.
national geographic explains feng shui as an “ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and spaces in an environment to achieve harmony and balance in a way that will bring peace and prosperity.” At the core of feng shui is chi, which is the life force that resides within each entity. chi is formed by combining two opposite but complementary forces called yin and yang, where yin is the feminine energy and yang is the masculine.
Reading: Tiger feng shui
You can generate positive chi by making simple changes to your environment and balancing the five elements of feng shui: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. each of these elements represents certain positive traits. wood is a symbol of creativity and growth; fire is an emblem of leadership and daring; earth represents strength and stability; metal signifies focus and order; water embodies emotion and inspiration.
therefore, it goes beyond the idea of decorating your home. You can use feng shui principles to improve the flow of positive energy within your home. Plus, consult a bagua map to find the right creative solutions and make sure positive life energy radiates throughout your home.
read on for more feng shui home decorating and arrangement tips
remove misfortune
Now that you have decided to add more positivity to your house, it is important to avoid things that might lead to bad fortune.
If you want to restrict bad fortune or remove all negative energy through feng shui decoration, it is important to avoid any kind of clutter. scan every corner of your home and clear the spaces. get rid of dead plants and damaged items.
dusty windows are a big no. clean the windows and allow sunlight and positive energy to flow into your home. anything that hinders movement in your home needs to be placed differently. water leaks, from faucets or roofs, are considered unfortunate. exposed nails in walls, sloped walls, and exposed ceiling joists are also considered unlucky.
Avoid placing the stove or bed directly under a window. If your front and back doors line up, there’s a stairway right in front of your entryway, or your door is located after a long hallway, consider making some changes to the interior of your home.
announce good fortune
There are some aspects of your house can’t be changed. What’s the solution then? You can always make some additions to your home that will help bring in good luck. Here are some tips you can follow.
incorporate bright colors and objects, especially mirrors, glass, and lights. You can also use shades that symbolize the five feng shui elements: earth tones, white, blue, and red. there are some aspects of your house that cannot be changed. what is the solution then you can always make some additions to your home that will satisfy this ancient chinese philosophy and help bring good luck. here are some tips you can follow.
See also: 18 Feng Shui Coins Under Doormat – Feng Shui Charms
incorporate bold colors and objects, especially mirrors and glass, and allow plenty of natural light. You can also use shades that symbolize the five feng shui elements: earth tones, white, blue, and red. make your home a sensory haven by including the soothing sounds generated by chimes and wind chimes.
It is important to incorporate at least one earth element. introducing living organisms such as plants, fish and other pets is the best way. by adding plants, you will also include the element of wood in your decoration, which symbolizes creativity and growth.
Adorn your home with gorgeous statues, sculptures, paintings, rugs and flags that reflect feng shui design. you can also choose a pleasant fragrance for your space.
If you have a large living room, use it up by installing a small water feature. this will add the water element to your home, denoting excitement and inspiration.
However, the most important thing to keep in mind is that the best form of feng shui energy is generated when you decorate your personal space with decorative elements that reflect your personality and style.
pay special attention to these areas
According to Feng Shui philosophy, the main entrance of a home is one of the most crucial areas. Not only should this area be free from restrictions and dirt, but should also emanate positive energy.
Anything that blocks the view of the house when entering should be removed, as it obstructs the flow of chi energy. For example, if a desk or sofa is blocking your view, consider moving it to another spot and make room for the good energy to enter. if the object is immovable, try to reduce its impact with the help of hanging fabrics and plants.
Images of bodies of water in the home can be a way to honor the element of water, which is an important aspect of the Year of the Water Tiger 2022.
place the furniture in a dominant position
The governing principles of good Feng Shui interior design require the major furniture to be placed in a commanding position in the rooms, making you in charge of your own space.
This is essential for large items like a sofa, bed, desk, dining table, and stove. position the furniture in such a way that you can see the front door without being directly in line with it. for example, while arranging your living room, place the sofa against a wall that faces indirectly towards the front door. In case you can’t move things, try adding reflective surfaces like a mirror, which will allow you to see the door.
See also: Feng Shui 2022 House Arrangement – TheChineseZodiac
also for bedrooms, avoid placing the bed directly in line with the door. use strong head supports and place end tables on either side of the bed for stability. you can also add curvaceous light tones and avoid sharp corners while planning your bedroom.
This unconsciously places you at the focal point of the space. it also puts you in tune with your surroundings, as you can see what’s coming your way.
redo your kitchen to balance feng shui elements
According to Feng Shui rules, you must pay special attention to the kitchen, as it is one of the crucial spaces in the house. The kitchen represents harmony, health, nutrition and prosperity. It is also a place where all the five elements meet.
If you’re remodeling your kitchen, position the stove so you can see the door and have a clear view of the entire room. avoid placing the sink and stove next to each other as it can create a conflict between the two elements: water and fire. this can lead to arguments between couples and a buildup of negative energy.
Similarly, avoid using too many reds and blacks in the kitchen space as this can also lead to conflict. Also, avoid placing mirrors in the kitchen as they can reflect negative energy and also cause distraction.
Based on feng shui design, if your cabinets don’t touch the ceiling, fill the spaces with plants and allow natural light to flow freely. make sure all your devices are working fine and keep all the clutter at bay.
design your bathroom to enhance positivity
Feng Shui principles say that bathrooms can be a great place to gather positive energy as tubs and sinks help drain out all the dirt and negative energy. However, it can also symbolise losing wealth. But not to worry, some easy Feng Shui tips can fix this.
keep your toilet seats and sinks clean and unclog drains regularly. this helps to reduce negativity and gives a fresh feeling to the bathroom. remember to always keep your door closed to prevent negativity from entering the house and positive energy from escaping. also, it restricts the view of the sink when entering the room.
Avoid placing your bathrooms and storage rooms in the middle of the house as they can block the flow of chi.
(main and featured images: spacejoy/@spacejoy/unsplash)
See also: 12 Feng Shui Symbols to Attract Love – Buddha & Karma