Feng Shui

Creating Harmony in Your Home

Your environment affects your well-being, mood, and success in life.

Ever walked into a room and felt instantly at ease?

Feng shui, “wind and water” in Chinese, is about arranging your space to create balance and promote the flow of positive energy, or “chi.”

Before you begin rearranging your entire house, let’s cover some feng shui fundamentals:

Clear the Clutter Get rid of the junk. Clutter blocks the flow of energy. You feel stressed and overwhelmed. Start with your entryway, living room, and bedroom. Donate items you haven’t used in a year, things that are broken, or stuff that brings up bad memories.

Let There Be Light Open those curtains and let the sunshine in. If you’ve got dark corners, add lamps or mirrors to bounce light around. Good lighting lifts your mood and energizes your space.

Bring in Some Green Plants purify the air and add life to your space. Try a peace lily in your bedroom for better sleep.

Find Your Power Position In feng shui, the “commanding position” is key. This means placing important furniture (like your bed or desk) so you can see the door without being directly in line with it. It’s about feeling in control.

‘Feng shui’ specific areas of your home.

Living Room Your living room is where you relax.

Arrange seating in a circle or semi-circle to encourage conversation

Keep the path to the door clear

Use a mix of soft textures (like throw pillows) and hard surfaces (like a coffee table) for balance

Bedroom Your bedroom is a calm oasis.

Position your bed so you can see the door, but not directly in line with it

Use calming colors like soft blues or greens

Keep electronics out of the bedroom (that includes your phone)

Kitchen The kitchen is for nourishment.

Keep it clean

Use all burners on your stove regularly

Add a bowl of fresh fruit for health

Home Office Boost productivity and success.

Face your desk towards the door, but not directly in line with it

Use a solid wall behind you for support

Add a small plant or a picture of nature to reduce stress

Bathroom In feng shui, bathrooms can be tricky because water (and energy) can “drain” away.

Keep the toilet lid closed

Add some plants to balance the water energy

Fix any leaky faucets

The Five Elements: Balancing Act

Feng shui uses five elements to create harmony. Each element has specific colors and shapes associated with it.

Wood: Green, brown; rectangular shapes

Fire: Red, orange; triangular shapes

Earth: Yellow, beige; square shapes

Metal: White, gray; circular shapes

Water: Blue, black; wavy shapes

To create balance, include a mix of these elements in each room. In your living room, you might have:

A wooden coffee table (wood)

Red throw pillows (fire)

A square rug (earth)

A round mirror (metal)

A wavy-patterned curtain (water)

Colors play a big role in feng shui.

Red: Brings energy and passion. Great for a home office or dining room.

Blue: Calming and peaceful. Perfect for bedrooms or bathrooms.

Green: Promotes growth and health. Ideal for any room.

Yellow: Uplifting and cheerful. Good for kitchens or living rooms.

Purple: Associated with wealth and luxury. Use sparingly for accent pieces.

You don’t need to paint entire walls. You can add pops of color with artwork, pillows, or rugs.

Feng Shui No-No’s While feng shui is about what you should do, there are some things to avoid:

Don’t place mirrors facing the bed

Avoid sharp corners pointing at seating areas

Don’t block windows with furniture

Steer clear of too many electronics in the bedroom

Don’t let dead plants linger. They bring negative energy

Feng Shui Success Stories

Tina, a freelance writer, struggled with writer’s block. She rearranged her home office following feng shui principles. She moved her desk to face the door and added a small fountain for water energy. Within weeks, her creativity flowed more freely.

Michael and Lara had relationship troubles. They decluttered their bedroom, moved their bed to the commanding position, and added some red accents for passion. They felt more connected and communicative after making these changes.

Janice wanted to boost her career. She added a money tree to her home office and made sure to use all her stove burners regularly. Within months, she landed a promotion at work.

Feng Shui for Renters Don’t own your home? You can still use feng shui.

Use area rugs to define spaces and add color

Hang curtains to soften harsh lines

Use lamps to improve lighting

Add plants in pretty pots

Use tapestries to change the energy of a room

DIY Feng Shui: Simple projects to try.

Create a welcoming entryway. Add a small table for keys, a mirror, and a plant.

Make a vision board and hang it in your bedroom.

Declutter one room at a time. Start with drawers, then move to closets.

Rearrange your living room furniture to promote conversation.

Add a water feature, like a small fountain, to your home.

Feng Shui for Different Life Stages

For Students

Create a dedicated study area with good lighting

Use the color blue to enhance memory

Keep the desk clear of clutter

For New Parents

Position the crib so you can see the door while attending to the baby

Use soothing colors like soft greens or blues in the nursery

Ensure good air circulation to promote health

For Empty Nesters

Repurpose empty rooms to avoid stagnant energy

Incorporate elements that represent new interests

Use warm colors to create a welcoming space for visitors

For Retirees

Ensure clear pathways to prevent falls

Use contrasting colors to make steps more visible

Incorporate elements that stimulate the mind, like puzzles or art supplies

Feng Shui for Small Spaces

Living in a small apartment or tiny house?

Use mirrors to create the illusion of more space

Opt for multi-functional furniture to reduce clutter

Create distinct “zones” for different activities using rugs or dividers

Maximize vertical space with tall bookshelves or hanging plants

Choose light colors to make rooms feel spacious

Adjust your space with the seasons to maintain balance.

Spring

Deep clean to welcome new energy

Incorporate more green and wood elements

Open windows to let in fresh air

Summer

Use breathable fabrics for bedding

Add pops of bright colors like yellow or orange

Place a bowl of fresh fruit in the kitchen for vitality

Fall

Introduce earthy tones like rust and gold

Add textures like wool throws and velvet pillows

Display objects made of metal to represent the season

Winter

Use warm lighting to counter shorter days

Incorporate the water element with blue accents

Add layers of textiles for warmth and comfort

Feng Shui for Productivity

Boost your work-from-home setup.

Face your desk towards the door, but not directly in line with it

Keep your back to a solid wall for support

Use a vision board to set intentions for your work

Incorporate the wood element to promote creativity

Keep your workspace organized to maintain focus

Feng Shui and Relationships

Enhance your love life and family harmony with these adjustments.

Place pairs of objects in the southwest corner of your home

Use pink or red accents in the bedroom

Ensure your bed has a solid headboard for support

Display family photos in the east or southeast areas of your home

Create a cozy conversation area in your living room

Feng shui is about creating a space that feels good to you. Always trust your intuition and personal preferences when making changes. Create an environment where you feel comfortable, energized, and at peace.