a beginner’s guide to feng shui at home

Mar 11, 2021 | Media Interviews & Articles

In this interview for Natural Health Magazine, Alexandra Lees explains simple ways you can apply powerful feng shui principles to different areas of your home to boost your health and happiness.

Feng shui principles can be applied to your home through the careful arrangement and design of room features, furniture, accessories and colour choice…”

This interview featured in the September 2019 edition of Natural Health Magazine.

what is feng shui and how does it work?

Feng shui literally means ‘wind and water’ and in Chinese Culture both of these elements are associated with good health and good fortune.

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of designing your environment so that it supports the positive flow of Qi (pronounced ‘chee’) energy around you. If the Qi flow of a place or building is harmonious and balanced this is thought to benefit anyone who occupies or uses it.

Feng shui principles can be applied to your home, place of work and even outdoor spaces through the careful arrangement and design of room features, furniture, accessories and colour choice.

is feng shui easy to incorporate into your home?

Yes, the basic principles are very easy to apply. There are several ‘schools’ or approaches to feng shui and the method I advocate and use, ‘Black Hat Sect Feng Shui’, is the simplest to understand and apply to a modern home.

If you imagine a river of vibrant, healthy energy flowing into your home from the front entrance, you can use feng shui principles and design ‘cures’ to encourage an even movement and circulation of this energy around all the rooms and spaces of your home. The easiest ways to do this are by removing clutter, brightening dark spaces, and bringing fresh clean air and nature into the home.

how can feng shui at home help your health and wellbeing?

The Chinese Taoists teach that we are intimately connected to and influenced by the energy of our environment. They believe that our lifeforce of Qi energy and our lifestyle can be supported or hindered by our surroundings.

If there is a balanced energy flow around your home this will benefit your emotional and physical energy too and you’ll experience a greater sense of ease, vibrancy and creative flow! Junk and mess around the home are often the worst culprits for disrupting and stagnating energy flow and this means you’ll also feel more tired and lacklustre.

what are some basic ways you can use feng shui in your home?

living room feng shui

If you use your living room for relaxation, ensure that the furnishing and colours of the room support this. Combine a comfy sofa and cushions with soothing earthy or warm colours on the walls and in fabrics, and add soft lighting for a welcoming evening ambience.

The living room is often a well-used space, so encouraging daylight and fresh air into the room will be important to stop the energy of the space from becoming stale and stagnant. Clean and open windows regularly and bring the fresh Qi energy of nature into the room by adding fresh flowers or air-pollutant absorbing pot plants.

kitchen feng shui

The kitchen is often an active and busy space in the home but it is also susceptible to areas of stagnating Qi energy which must be dealt with. Keep worktops, the stove and sink area clean and clutter-free by washing pans and dishes and tidying up as soon as you can. Stale cooking smells and old and out of date food will also stagnate Qi, so ensure the kitchen is well ventilated, and keep a regular stock check on food and ingredients in the fridge and cupboards.

You can also pep up the energy of the kitchen by adding potted fresh herbs to your kitchen window sill or adding a vase of fresh flowers to your kitchen table.

bathroom feng shui

Managing ventilation, humidity and cleanliness in the bathroom is essential to keep this room’s energy fresh and flowing. Open windows or use mechanical ventilation as often as possible, wipe down steamy bathroom mirrors and keep shower screens and curtains sparkling clean.

Keep on top of clutter by adding neat and discreet storage for all toiletries and dirty linen, and always pick up any towels or bath mats after use as these can disrupt Qi flow.

bedroom feng shui

The bedroom is for resting and recharging, so decorate this room with relaxing neutrals or calming soft blues, greys, pinks and violets rather than high-energy firey colours such as bright reds, oranges and vibrant pinks. You should also ban mental stimulants such as phones, TVs and laptops from the bedroom.

Ensure your bedroom supports a good night’s sleep by keeping all cupboards, drawers and under the bed clutter-free, tidy and well organised. Even if you can’t see the mess it will be stagnating the Qi flow of the room, so do a seasonal streamline of your wardrobe to ensure you are not hoarding unwanted clothes!

hallway feng shui

The entrance hallway is one of the most important feng shui areas of the home. This is where external Qi energy enters your property and it is vital that the hallway is bright, uncluttered and welcoming to guests.

Hallways can often be narrow, so ensure there are no large pieces of furniture or uneven rugs making movement along the hallway more awkward. Clutter such as coats and shoes and bags behind the front door should also be tidied or removed.

In dark hallways, you can add wall mirrors to reflect and draw natural light and down the hallway as this will encourage the flow of Qi energy into adjoining rooms.

are there any other key principles of feng shui in the home?

use all your senses

Feng shui is not just a visual art – scent and sound will also influence the flow of energy around your home. As a general rule, overpowering or artificial smells or loud, unnatural noises will disrupt Qi flow and more gentle, natural scents and sounds will support Qi flow.

follow your intuition

You can learn to tune into the energy of a space. When you enter an unfamiliar room ask yourself: does this space feel welcoming, cosy or uplifting, or does it feel uncomfortable, underwhelming or overwhelming? Think about the design ‘ingredients’ that make it that way –  the colours, smells, lighting, furniture and accessories etc. Use your observations and apply them to your own home.

want more support

 

Learn more about Alex’s feng shui and mindful design work and how she can help you.

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If you have any questions or would like more information on our work please contact us – we’re always happy to help.

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