Determining the best way to initiate the practice of feng shui in your living space can feel daunting. Which areas should you focus on first? How can you refresh your space, especially if it’s already styled? What actions should you avoid when applying feng shui principles?
Fortunately, creating a harmonious environment doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are some suggestions, including fundamental feng shui guidelines, to help you begin transforming your home into a more joyful and revitalizing space. Feng shui goes beyond mere design or decorationits concepts and philosophies can motivate you to arrange your surroundings in a way that enhances balance and positivity in your life.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned practitioner of feng shui room design, here are nine key steps to establish positive feng shui in every space of your home.
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What does Feng Shui mean?
Feng shui is a spiritual discipline that explores your position in the universe, drawing inspiration from the five elements of Taoism. These elements—fire, earth, metal, water, and wood—reflect the natural cycles of the environment. The ultimate goal of feng shui is to foster balance and harmony in your life and surroundings.
Enhance the Appeal of Your Entrance
In feng shui, the entryway symbolizes the flow of energy into your home and your life. The front door is often referred to as the mouth of qi. To enhance the feng shui of your home, the entrance is the ideal starting point. Begin by decluttering and eliminating any unnecessary items. Many belongings tend to pile up by the front door, so while it doesn’t have to be completely bare, it should be relatively tidy. Ensure it serves your needs. Next, tidy up the area by sweeping and cleaning both the interior and exterior of the entrance, which is frequently neglected. Wipe the door and shake out the doormat. Take a moment to assess the space. Can it be made more welcoming and spacious by adding or removing items? Clearing the area allows energy to flow and accumulate, which is crucial in feng shui. Avoid obstructing the energy flow, as this is a key principle. Lastly, ensure the entryway is well-lit and inviting. Consider adding new lighting or replacing the bulbs to enhance brightness.
Wash Your Windows
Windows represent the perspective of adults in a household, while for children, they represent their means of expression. To enhance the feng shui of your living space, it’s essential to maintain clean windows. Spotless windows allow for increased sunlight to enter, which naturally revitalizes and energizes you. Sunlight also enhances the vibrancy of the colors and objects in your environment. By allowing more light in, your home becomes more spacious, lively, and dynamic. Clean windows also metaphorically enable you to perceive your surroundings with greater vibrancy, clarity, and detail. Additionally, consider using eco-friendly or homemade cleaning solutions, such as a mixture of white vinegar, water, and a few drops of essential oil.
Focus on Your Doors
In feng shui, doors symbolize your ability to communicate and express yourself. They serve as gateways for new opportunities to enter your life, so it’s important to give them some attention. There are two key aspects to consider. First, ensure that all your doors can swing open to at least 90 degrees. If there’s clutter obstructing them, they won’t open fully, which can limit the opportunities that come your way. This can create barriers that prevent you from fully engaging with life. Second, verify that all your doors are functioning properly. The hardware should operate smoothly, and the hinges should not squeak. Make sure the doors can close easily and securely. These small details can significantly influence the flow of energy into your life, so it’s essential to keep them as unobstructed as possible.
Dominant Stance
The concept of a commanding position influences how you navigate your life. Consider this position in relation to your bed, desk, and stove. Your bed symbolizes your personal life, your desk reflects your professional life, and your stove signifies your financial well-being. In each of these areas, ensure you have a view of the entrance without being directly aligned with it. For instance, whether you are resting in bed, working at your desk, or preparing food at the stove, you should have a sightline to the door. You may find yourself positioned diagonally or at an angle to the entrance. By maintaining a commanding position, you assert control over your life, allowing you to attract positive energy and seize the best opportunities.
Tip
In feng shui, the orientation of a house plays a crucial role. As light symbolizes energy, a south-facing house is considered the most beneficial for capturing light, enhancing chi (energy), and promoting harmony within the family.
Proceed to 5 out of 9 listed below.
Eliminate Barriers in Your Way
Take a moment to observe the route you take each day within your homethis represents the layout of your feng shui space. Consider the physical journey you embark on, starting from the moment you wake up and get out of bed, moving to the bathroom, and continuing until you exit your home. Repeat this process in reverse when you return, prepare dinner, and eventually settle in for the night. You may become oblivious to the various hindrances and physical barriers you encounter along the way. Perhaps it’s a flickering light fixture or a door that requires a forceful push to close. Navigating a cluttered hallway can also become a challenge. When you peer into a closet overflowing with clothes that no longer fit, it can feel overwhelming. All of these factors can take a toll on you. Over time, these barriers can build up and lead to issues, which can be seen as negative feng shui in your living space. The initial step is to identify these hindrances, make adjustments with care, and take it slow—addressing one issue at a time.
Embrace Openness
Clutter is frequently associated with feng shui, yet feng shui focuses more on cultivating space than merely eliminating clutter. How can you enhance the spaciousness in your life? Begin with your living environment. Choose a specific area—be it a drawer, a room, a section of the fridge, or your desk—regardless of its size, and remove items that you no longer need. By letting go of the unnecessary, you create room for new and exciting possibilities. Don’t be hard on yourself if that space eventually fills up againit’s a natural part of life. Existence is dynamic and ever-changingnothing is permanent. Embrace the ebb and flow of life with joy. Open areas will be filled, then emptied, and filled again. Always be open to new beginnings. Continuously seek out a new (or the same) space to clear and create room, again and again.
Clearing Space
The concept of spaciousness goes hand in hand with the idea of clearing space. This involves not only the physical environment but also the energetic atmosphere, both of which can be purified. In feng shui, this practice is often referred to as a space blessing. There are various methods to achieve this, such as smudging with palo santo or using a diffuser with sweet orange essential oil. If you’re looking for a straightforward space clearing technique that doesn’t require any materials, simply visualize bright white sunlight enveloping and purifying your entire home. As you clear your space, try to connect this process with uplifting thoughts. Set a clear intention for what you wish to nurture and manifest in your life.
Plants Infuse Vital Energy
In feng shui, plants represent the essence of life energy. This signifies that living plants in your home create a connection to the natural world, infusing your space with energy and liveliness. Think of green plants as a refreshing, organic juice for your living environment, as they bring a sense of renewal and vigor. Lush, green plants are essential elements in feng shui for a harmonious home. It’s crucial to choose plants that you can maintain and that suit your environment. Pay attention to the lighting in your space, and if you’re a beginner, consider starting with low-maintenance options like the golden pothos.
