“I feel like my luck has been down lately” or “I want a change of mood with a room refresh.” In moments like these, consider bringing feng shui into your interior design. Simply reviewing your home’s orientation, colors, and layout may help create a more positive atmosphere.
What is feng shui?
Feng shui is an environmental practice of Chinese origin that aims to enhance fortune and energy by organizing clothing, food, and living spaces, and it has developed uniquely in Japan. Its foundation is the concept of the “five elements” (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water), and furniture and interior items are also classified into these five elements. When choosing interior decor, it is important to keep the balance of the five elements in mind.
What are the key feng shui points for the entryway?
The entryway is where “energy” enters and leaves the home. To welcome good energy, the basic rule is to keep it clean and bright at all times.
Keep it bright and clean above all
Cleaning is the foundation of feng shui. A dirty entryway attracts negative energy. If natural light is difficult to secure, use indirect lighting or glass items to add brightness.
Place a mat, mirror, and houseplants
An entry mat is said to absorb negative energy. A mirror amplifies good energy, and houseplants help turn heavy energy into a more positive one.
What are the key feng shui points for the living room?
Align furniture heights to create a path for energy flow
Using low-profile furniture throughout the room makes it easier for energy to circulate.
Use a floor lamp and houseplants to maintain balance
Combining a floor lamp that brightens the corners of the room with houseplants that help offset the energy emitted by the television is considered effective.
Rearrange the room regularly
To prevent energy from stagnating, changing the furniture layout from time to time helps invite fresh energy into the space.
What are the key feng shui points for the bedroom?
The bedroom is a place to recover from the day’s fatigue and absorb renewed energy.
Always use double-layer curtains
Double-layer curtains that let in good energy in the morning and block negative energy at night are ideal.
Place mirrors where they do not reflect the bed
It is said that seeing your sleeping figure reflected in a mirror drains vitality. Place mirrors where the bed does not appear, or cover them.
Do not place stuffed toys, vases, or aquariums
Stuffed toys are believed to absorb good energy, and placing containers of water in the bedroom is said to lower health-related luck.
What are the key feng shui points for the kitchen?
Do not place the refrigerator and microwave next to each other
“Cold” and “heat” are believed to clash and significantly reduce positive energy. Avoid placing a microwave on top of the refrigerator as well.
Keep the sink and stove clean at all times
Dirty water areas invite negative energy.
Always use a trash can with a lid
Because trash is considered to give off negative energy, a lidded trash can helps prevent that energy from spreading.
Interior accessories that support better energy
Floor lights and houseplants are practical items that may help improve energy in many parts of the home. Purifying salt and power stones are also approachable options for beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. How long does it take for feng shui to have an effect?
There is no clearly defined timeline, but starting with cleaning and organizing can make it easier to notice changes in your daily mood and living environment.
Q. What kinds of houseplants are suitable for feng shui?
Plants with rounded leaves, such as pothos, monstera, and gajumaru, are said to attract good energy. Spiky cacti are not well suited to the entryway.
Q. Can feng shui interior design be practiced in a rental home?
Yes. Many approaches, such as cleaning, organizing, using houseplants, and adjusting curtains, can be incorporated even in rental properties that require restoration to their original condition.
Q. Is it necessary to pay attention to direction in feng shui?
Feng shui places importance on the relationship between direction and “energy,” but even starting with the basics of “cleanliness, brightness, and organization” can still produce meaningful benefits.
