Feng shui is the ancient Chinese system of creating a harmonious balance between one or more people and their surrounding environment. Some of the first recorded uses of the system dates back over 3,500 years ago to the the Han dynasty. Today, people from across the world use feng shui to improve their homes, as well as to improve their lives in general.
#1) Define The Bagua
When utilizing the system of feng shui in your home, you must define the bagua. This is essentially the energy blueprint of your home in which traffic and activities are defined. Your home should be designed in a manner that’s best suited to meet you and your family’s needs, which is the desired goal when defining the bagua. If there’s clutter, furniture or other belongings obstructing the normal flow of traffic in your living room, get rid of it.
#2) Don’t Forget The Bathroom!
Lighting is an important part of achieving feng shui in the bathroom. Be sure to incorporate windows when designing and building new bathrooms. Refer to the bagua and the feng shui compass when deciding where to place install windows. Install bright, but not harsh, lights above the mirror.
Mirrors reflect energy, or the chi. Because of the reflection, the energy is passed throughout the room continuously. Mirrors also keep the energy moving throughout the rest of the home or office. Never place mirrors across the room facing each other. This causes negative energy, which is unfavorable.
#3) Calming Colors
The colors should be soothing and calming, such as creams, brown, pale gray, green, and light blues. All of these colors are easy and soft on the eyes, making them excellent choices in a feng shui home. Because red is the symbol of protection in the Chinese culture, it is good to have a red element, such as a rug, to promote health and prosperity.
#4) Improve The Air Quality
Contrary to what some people may believe, the system of feng shui isn’t limited strictly to decorate/aesthetic elements. Air quality also plays a direct role in an environment’s feng shui (or lack thereof).
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental hazards. Even if the air inside your home appears clean to the naked eye, it may still possess mold, bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOC), and/or toxic fumes. To reduce these elements, and achieve better feng shui, refer to the tips listed below:
- Change your air filter on a regular basis.
- Decorate with houseplants (natural air filter).
- Install a water fountain.
- Dust, sweep and vacuum frequently.
#5) Eliminate The Clutter
You can’t expect to achieve fung shui inside your home if it’s filled with clutter. I think we’ve all been guilty of allowing or homes to accumulate clutter at some point in time. However, there’s no better time than now to clean it out. Go through each and every room, throwing away items that you no longer want or need.
Photo credit: Oskari Kettunen via Flickr Creative Commons
