Whether you’re moving to a new place, or you’re feeling a little ‘meh’ in your own, look to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Feng Shui to create a happy, harmonious home this spring. We show you how…
What does Feng Shui mean?
Feng Shui translates literally as ‘wind’ and ‘water’, and it’s synonymous with our human make-up – wind represents the breath, and water nods to the fact our bodies are made up of mainly water – 60%, in fact.
Put simply, Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art that says harmony and balance at home can be achieved by abiding by certain principles. A home with good Feng Shui is a home that has good energy, and it’s said to be the key to a peaceful life.
How to bring good Feng Shui into your home
1. Declutter your space
According to Feng Shui principles, clutter affects our quality of life in a major way. It clogs up our space, stopping the flow of positive energy or ‘chi’ in a home. To combat this, clear out cupboards, shelves and table-tops, doorway entrances and the underneath of beds.
2. Fix or replace broken items
A photo frame with cracks, a dead lightbulb, a chipped vase – all can contribute negative energy to a home. Repairing these items is ok if you can do it, but according to Feng Shui teachings it’s better to replace them altogether.
3. Allow air & light to circulate
Even in the colder winter months, it’s important to open up windows and doors each day to let fresh air in and get rid of bad energy, or ‘sha chi’. The same goes for light – our windows symbolize how the world sees us, so these should be clean and clear of clutter. Give the same treatment to internal glass surfaces and mirrors. And seek out dark corners and add a soft lamp to illuminate the area and brighten things up.
4. Use colour mindfully
Different hues are associated with different emotions, so choose your shades wisely when decorating. You don’t have to go all out with the wallpaper or paintbrush, either – inject colour with accessories and soft furnishings instead. Here’s what different hues represent...
- Red – passion, excitement, joy
- Yellow – cheerful and uplifting
- Green – balance, growth and abundance
- Blue – peace and tranquility
- Grey – focus and clarity
- White – freshness, innocence and purity
- Pink – love and nurture
- Purple – wealth and spirituality
- Black – creativity
- Brown – grounding and energy
- Orange – sociability and connection
5. Add living plants
It’s true that plants look lovely, but they also filter the air, creating a cleaner, purer environment – very important for good Feng Shui. Look for easy-to-keep, low-maintenance varieties, though, as dying plants will have the opposite effect! Here are some brilliant indoor plants thought to bring luck and happiness to the home…
- Spider Plant
- Peace Lily
- Aloe Vera
- Philodendron
- Ficus
- Boston Fern
- English Ivy
- Palm
- Rubber Plant
6. Pay special attention to the bedroom
The bedroom is where we rest and recharge for the day ahead, so it’s a really vital space in terms of Feng Shui teachings. Let’s start with the bed. It should never, ever face the door. Why? Because the door will 'pull' your energy away from you as you sleep. Paintings and pictures shouldn’t be placed above the bed either, as this is thought to disturb sleep. And perhaps more obviously, set a restful mood by decorating with soothing colours and lighting.
Need some inspo on how to Feng Shui your bedroom on a budget? Click here.
7. ...And the front and back doors!
Your front and back doors are the entryways to your home, and also the entryways for that all-important ‘good chi’. You should ensure there’s nothing blocking or cluttering your entrances, keep the outside areas nice and tidy (free from weeds!), and your doors in tip-top condition. If the paint’s peeling and the doorknob’s looking tired, for example, give them a spruce-up.
8. Incorporate the five elements
Another important Feng Shui principle is to bring the five elements into a home for balance. Here are some tips…
Wood – use plants or green items to harness the power of growth
Fire – inject the colour red or use candlelight to channel passion and joy
Earth – seek old books or a brown or tan rug to bring stability to a home
Water – bring in flowing water, such as a fountain, to promote income and wealth
Metal – add ornaments and sculptures to maintain focus and order
9. Remove obstacles
According to Feng Shui principles, physical obstacles around the house are also bad news, as they can cause real-life blockages. We’re not talking clutter here – more things that can slow us down or interrupt our path or flow in some way. Examples might be a door that sticks and takes a couple of forceful tugs to open, a stuffed wardrobe you need to yank items out of, or a light that takes some time to turn on once you flip the switch. One at a time, try and sort any problems.
10. Look out for neglected areas
Lastly, seek out any areas or corners of the home collecting dust or that haven’t been touched or used in a while. If there are items lying around you never use, get rid of them. Got ‘odds’ stacked in a neat little pile somewhere? Go through them and store away accordingly. You’ll be surprised at the good energy that comes as a result of moving things around in stagnant nooks and crannies.
Kick-start your Feng Shui efforts with the help of Rezigo. Need a hand decluttering? Want to book a professional deep clean? Our reputable service providers are ready and waiting! Click here to get your free quotes.