Feng Shui (Fung Schway) is an ancient Chinese tradition that can best be described as placing furniture and elements in a space, arranging them in a way that promotes the flow of positive energy and creates spatial harmony.
(Yes, it’s about more than, “Does the sofa look good here?”)
In Feng Shui, energy is considered to be the equivalent of flowing water, which represents wealth and abundance.
By keeping your space as open as possible, you ensure that energy can flow freely throughout your home.
But Feng Shui is about more than placing furniture and décor. It also encompasses the position of a doorway and other elements found throughout the home.
But don’t start moving doorways. There are other simpler Feng Shui elements and principles you can easily incorporate in your home.
The Front Door
The entrance to your home is the primary channel for positive energy to enter your space. Blocking the area directly in front of the door inhibits the flow of good energy into your home.
Open your front door and step inside. Does your entryway feel open and airy, or cramped and cluttered? That pile of shoes and boots, as well as coats, books, dog leashes, mail, etc., can hamper energy flow. (A nice wardrobe is a way to clear the clutter and create an open space so positive energy can fill your entire house.)
Here’s another Feng Shui principle: If your front door squeaks, it can mimic whining or crying and deter energy.
And use the front door as much as possible to allow good energy to enter. Using other doors can create energy leaks.
Water Elements
In Feng Shui, water represents wealth. Incorporating a tiny, trickling fountain in your entryway encourages abundant wealth and good luck to fill your home.
Plants
According to Feng Shui, plants can bring light and life into every living space, as well as a refreshing splash of color as well as clean the air.
Bathroom Doors
In contrast to the entryway, your bathroom door should remain closed to keep the water in. Why? An open bathroom door urges the “water” to flow out, taking away all your wealth and good luck!
If keeping the bathroom door closed isn’t feasible, lowering the toilet lid can help prevent energy loss.
Clean Windows
If eyes are the windows to the soul, in Feng Shui, windows are considered the eye to the outside world. Therefore, it’s essential to keep your windows clean to see the universe unfold around you clearly.
Clear the Clutter
If we think of positive energy as flowing water, then all those bits of clutter can be considered rocks in the stream, impeding energy’s free flow.
In Feng Shui, you cannot be afraid of letting go, which means getting rid of anything that’s not serving you. Discarding unwanted and unused objects is equivalent to releasing old, depleted energy.
Arranging Furniture
When you enter a room, do you run into a piece of furniture or need to step around it? Does it impede your path? If it blocks you, it will block energy flow.
Draw the Eye Upward
By placing a beloved object up high, energy is directed upward and has better flow. Try hanging a piece of art above eye level, mounting curtain rods higher, or placing objects on the top shelf of a bookcase.
Create Conversation
This last bit may seem counter-intuitive. In a large space, don’t spread furniture apart, which does not improve energy flow. Instead, grouping furniture in smaller clusters promotes conversation and relationships - another important element in Feng Shui.
Now that you’ve learned a bit more about this ancient Chinese tradition, take a look around you. Using these simple techniques can make your living space more enjoyable. And who knows? Perhaps they will bring wealth and good fortune, too!
