Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) is an ancient Chinese knowledge that originated 6,000 years ago. It explains how the placement of objects affects the energy flow in your home, and by extension your personal energy flow. Feng shui takes the approach that your surroundings affect not just your level of material comfort, but also your physical and mental health, relationships and success.
Before discovering feng shui, I had a successful corporate career in the fashion industry as a chief operating officer for a multinational company. I felt trapped in a job that lacked meaning and purpose.
After a burnout (that's what happens when you work 90 hours a week and don't listen to your body), I booked my trip to Asia. That was my turning point. I discovered feng shui through research and decided to become a practitioner.
Applying Feng Shui to your home
Symmetry and the yin and yang principle are key. The main aim is to find balance and harmony in your life through environmental analysis. Feng shui allows you to discover the potential of your home and make it work for you. I can draw up an energetic map of your home that relates to your desires, whether that's wealth, health or good relationships.
I can make differences without astrology but results are quicker and more profound with birth detail. Your favourable and unfavourable colours come from astrological analysis. From my experience, intuitive people are automatically attracted to their favourable colours, but this isn't always true. If you favour fire, for instance, I would suggest making use of candles and the colours red, orange and purple. Having a fireplace in your home would also be ideal.
Nine general tips for the layout of your home
- There should be an open space on the inside of the main door - no wall, bathroom or stove.
- Avoid a straight line from the front to a back door or window.
- The back of the house must be quiet.
- No bathrooms or utility rooms at the centre of the house.
- Stoves should not be seen from the front door.
- The house cannot be divided in half by a hallway or staircase, as this causes divisions in the household.
- Doors should not be in alignment with beds.
- Place every bed against a solid wall.
- Toilets cannot be in alignment with bed, opposite the main door, above the main door, or opposite or in alignment with the stove.
How to Feng Shui the front door
The front door is known as the 'Mouth of Chi', where the energy enters your home. Just as we take in nourishment through our mouths, the front door does the same. If left unused it becomes stagnant, which means there is no energy entering your home. In order to attract positive energy, be sure that you give attention to the front door. After all, you only have one opportunity to make a good impression.
Honestly review the entrance.
Is the hardware polished, and do you have signage to attract visitors to the property? Place a pair of planters, with healthy plants either side of the door itself. No trees, shrubs, plants should be in front of the door, obstructing the flow of energy into the home.
Is the entrance well-illuminated?
Be sure the bulbs in your fixtures are clean. Above all, make sure the walk way free of clutter and debris. It sets the tone for the whole house and needs to be positive. De-clutter, recycle or throw out junk mail if left on the front door step, porch or in the mail box. Take a broom and dusting cloth and remove any cobwebs, along with a build-up of dirt.
If you have the advantage of installing a new front door.
Go for a solid design without any windows, to reduce the feeling of insecurity and vulnerability. Consider using a powerful Feng Shui colour. A beautiful red, which in Feng Shui is best for attracting fame, recognition and abundance, or a glossy Black door (so shiny it appears like glass, which mimics water) this is the colour that relates to life's journey and career.
If you have the space, use a stone statue to ground the entrance (stone is seen as the Earth Element).
Be sure to show it respect in placing it on a plinth or stand, anything that serves as a buffer from placing it just on the ground, and keep it in good repair.
How to Feng Shui the kitchen
The kitchen is quite simply the heart of the home, where we are nourished and nurtured. In Feng Shui it represents the health and wealth of the family. For the cooker top, the most auspicious position is on an island, so that you can cook at the stove in a command position, facing the entrance to the room.
Having your back to the entrance at the stove is not a command position.
The Chinese believe that if the cook is in a command position positive attributes are infused into the meal that is being prepared and the family benefit by this positive energy when they eat it.
Being at an island for cooking is less isolating, and better suits open plan rooms and more casual lifestyles.
Family and guests can gather around, which speaks to Chinese culture.
A tip to bring balance
This is an important room is to be mindful of how you place the elements, so no water aside the fire (think sink right next to the stove) as the water symbolically in Feng Shui extinguishes the fire.
How to Feng Shui bedrooms
The bedroom is a space that allows us to relax, revive and refresh, so it is an important one in Feng Shui. A few basic rules: be sure that the bed is located in the command position, so you are able to see the entrance of the room, looking toward the door but not opposing it directly. The bed should not be positioned under a window as you require a solid wall for maximum support. It should not be along the entrance wall with you unable to see who is entering, nor against a party wall.
Try to avoid
Placing the bed under a sloped/dormer style ceiling or directly under a fan, chandelier or pendant light as this promotes a sense of physical pressure and under a beam it cuts the chi (energy) of the room.
It is most important
To have a headboard and preferably made of solid wood (not prison-like bars) or an upholstered one (be sure the fabric is of natural fibers and not loaded with toxins). A footboard is not a good design feature in Feng Shui. When your lie down it should be unrestricted whatever your height so that there is free flowing energy over the bed.
Conceal televisions
Watching it before sleep keeps us too engaged and does not promote restful sleep. Eliminate altogether if you can.
Try painting a bedroom in a subtle hue
Think neutrals or subtle shades. You can certainly add accents of red or rose if this is a master bedroom as both colours represent romance and passion. If you are looking for a partner, be sure that your space says duo, pairs, all things partnership, for example two nightstands aside the bed, and no solo images in art or artefacts.
Watch what you introduce to the bedroom
Computers, iron & ironing board, gym equipment, a full working office. All of these tasks are best done outside of the space where you are looking to relax. Think of the bedroom as an oasis.
Try not to store
Anything other than linens or blankets under the bed, albeit it is valuable real estate in smaller homes, it can create blockages in one's life.
If you or a partner have experienced serious illness or disease
Then look to changing the bed to rid yourselves of the negative chi. If with a new partner and setting up home together, then be mindful of predecessor chi when you want to experience new beginnings.
Dim the lights
Light a fragrant candle (bees wax/all natural so that there are no toxins).
How to feng shui a workspace
- Clean out your desk drawers and filing cabinets. Throw out, or recycle, anything you haven't used in six months.
- Do not face a wall.
- Face a window for yang energy.
- Do not sit in alignment with a door. The spot furthest from the door is a "protected" location, and we perform better at work when we feel safe and supported.
- Sit with your back to a solid wall. The back is the vulnerable yin side. It governs the quality of your health and relationships.
- To your left should be the most active energy - i.e. doors and windows. The left is the yang side, associated with male energy. It influences material opportunities, wealth and prosperity. If you cannot place your desk in this position, place a television, CD player or another object that generates activity.
- To your right should be quiet energy. The right is the receptive yin side, associated with female energy. Place heavy pieces of furniture here.
Original article appeared on House & Garden UK
