The anatomy of your home: A beginner’s guide to Feng Shui

What is Feng Shui?

 

“Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on harmonising individuals with their surrounding environment. It involves arranging spaces to promote the flow of positive energy, which can lead to various benefits such as improved health, enhanced relationships, increased success, greater comfort and peace.

“The home is seen as an extension of oneself, and by drawing up an energetic floorplan of your home, you will see the barriers preventing free-flowing energy.

“This energetic floor plan uses the points of a compass to determine the best placement for objects and furniture. Each compass point relates each aspect of your home to a map called the ‘Bagua’, with 9 areas that relate to life aspirations and the elements. 

“These tools can create a picture of how the metaphysical energies—chi—move through your environment and home. Feng Shui looks at how to create balance from imbalance and what may need to change for this to happen.”

 

The front door and hallway are crucial in welcoming positive energy into your home. Known as the "Mouth of Chi," this area is where energy first enters, setting the tone for the entire household. Here are some practical tips to help you harness this energy and promote wealth.

 

“The approach to your front door should be free of obstructions, as energy enters your home just like people do, first impressions count. Ensure your entrance is cleaned regularly and unobstructed to invite an abundance of energy into your ‘welcome hall’. 

“Make sure your house number or name is clearly visible and you have a working doorbell and lights at the front entrance. Regular maintenance is essential.

“You’ll also want to ensure there is symmetry outside your home to create a sense of harmony. Add symmetrical sources of light to bring the fire element, symbolising warmth and prosperity.”

Moving into the hallway, Diane explains how to allow energy to flow inside: “Once inside, make sure to move any shoes, bags, or other items that could block the flow of energy. If you have a mirror in the hall, position it near the front door yet not opposite it, so that light and positive energy can reflect into your home.

“The wealth corner of the hallway is located in the far left corner and influences the energy of abundance into your life. By keeping this area free from clutter it can enhance prosperity. To strengthen this intention, place symbols of wealth, such as money plants, crystals, or a bowl of coins in this space.

“When introduced subtly as accent pieces in soft furnishings and images, the colour purple can also attract wealth and abundance.”

 

How to create a sense of comfort and peace in the lounge

 

• Position your sofa so it faces the entrance to the room
• Use a mirror to reflect the doorway or an outside landscape
• Open windows and allow natural light into the room
• Introduce different plants and flowers to manifest intentions
• Choose blue as a primary colour, with accents of yellow

 

The lounge is a space where we spend quality time with loved ones to unwind. Consider the following Feng Shui practices to foster an environment of comfort and peace.

 

“The position of your sofa is paramount to the Feng Shui of your living room. Ideally, it should face the entrance of the room, while an arm chair should be placed diagonally, opposite the doorway with a solid wall close behind.

“A mirror positioned to reflect the doorway gives sufficient visibility of who is entering the room, which provides a sense of security and enhances relaxation. A mirror can also be positioned to reflect a beautiful view, such as the outside landscape or a piece of artwork.

“When it comes to lighting, natural light is invaluable to maintain a positive energy flow, so open windows regularly and keep them clean and unobstructed.

“Alongside this, introducing plants and flowers is a good idea. Different flowers have different meanings, so placing a mixed bouquet of flowers in the room can support the energy for manifesting intentions.

When it comes to choosing a colour, Diane recommends a combination of blue and yellow: “Studies show that the colour blue can help lower blood pressure, making it a wonderful colour for spaces designed for comfort and peace. 

“Subtle accents of yellow radiate positivity and can increase energy in an environment. The balance of these two colours in particular can promote both relaxation and positivity.”

 

How the kitchen and bathroom can help to improve health and prosperity

 

• Use a circular dining table to promote healthy relationships
• Ensure the sink, fridge, and oven are not too close to each other
• Off-white and light blue tones are the go-to colours
• Keep bins out of sight

According to Feng Shui, the kitchen and bathroom are essential spaces in your home that can significantly impact your health and well-being. But how do we incorporate them?

 

“The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, especially if it includes a dining table where friends and family gather. A circular dining table, with no sharp or angled edges encourages healthy relationships”

In Feng Shui, it’s important to create an efficient workspace. To do this, the ‘triangle method’ is used. Diane explains: “The sink, fridge, and oven should form each triangle point. It's important to keep the sink (water) and oven (fire) from being too close to each other to avoid energetic conflict. A solution to balance this is to place flowers, plants or fresh herbs near these areas to harmonise the elements.”

Considering colours in the kitchen, there are two specific options to help promote good health: “Colours such as off-whites or hues of light blue can create a balanced and calming atmosphere. These colours can also enhance tranquility, strengthening your intention of good health in the home.

“Alongside this, to further promote healthy family relationships and to encourage more abundant energy,  ensure you store rubbish out of sight and regularly empty your bins.”

The bathroom 

 

• Keep the toilet lid down
• Fix leaks and avoid wasting water
• Add eucalyptus to support health

Bathrooms can be tricky in Feng Shui, but with a few adjustments, you can ensure they contribute positively to your home's energy. 

 

“Water represents money and positive energy, so keep your toilet lid closed after use. Putting the lid down will stop ‘money from going down the drain’, helping to retain wealth and vitality within your home. 

“Fix any leaks immediately, as wasted water may disturb the flow of wealth entering your home, this goes for dripping taps or leaky gutters. A clear, maintained bathroom encourages the circulation of energy to support health and wealth.

“Plants in your bathroom not only improve air quality, but they also balance the water energy to create a tranquil space. Hanging plants like eucalyptus in your bathroom are beneficial for cleansing the space and supporting your health.”

 

 

How to attract love and enhance your relationships in the bedroom

 

• Don’t position the bed opposite the door or underneath a window
• Ensure there is space and symmetry at either side of the bed
• Keep laundry out of sight
• Display artwork that encapsulates love and romance
• Place flowers, red and pink items in the ‘love corner’

 

It may come as no surprise that the bed is a crucial element when it comes to attracting love and romance. Diane says: “Start with a supportive bed, the head positioned against a solid wall, ensuring it isn't directly opposite the door or underneath a window.”

“To encourage love, you’ll need to make sure there is space and symmetry at either side of the bed, for example having two matching bedside tables each with a bedside light.”

 

Just like you need to keep rubbish out of sight in the kitchen, the same applies to laundry in the bedroom: “Keep your laundry in a discreet laundry bag. A tidy and clutter-free bedroom clears space that invites the energy to circulate freely to enhance your relationships and give focus. 

 

“Alongside this, possessions that do not serve this purpose should be removed. This may include work-from-home items like desks or monitors, as well as any gym equipment.

 

“Artwork can give powerful subconscious messages, too. An image hung opposite the bed that represents love and positive relationships delivers a powerful message. It is the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you see at night, strengthening your connection to your intention."

 

The South-West idea of your bedroom is known as the ‘love corner’ and placing meaningful items in this area can help you manifest romance: “By placing items that symbolise love, such as pairs of objects, romantic artwork, pink or red accents, and rose quartz crystals. Flowers like roses, peonies, and orchids can also boost romantic energy.”

 

By following these Feng Shui principles, you can create a harmonious and balanced living environment that supports your physical health, relationships, success, and overall well-being. 

 

 

 

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