Feng Shui Your Home - The Basics
If you take the time to dig into the ancient Chinese tradition and philosophy around Feng Shui, you'll see that it doesn't come off as esoteric as one might think. It's really based around the simple practice of making a home feel healthier and a lot more organized. It also helps you to connect to your home, in a way that can affect your mood and well being. Feng Shui is really just "spring-cleaning," or decorating to make a home feel more comfortable.
Let's get into to the best Feng Shui decorating tips for your house below!
1. Slow Down The Flow of Energy:
The back door and the front door have a direct line of sight, that means the energy in the home, or the chi, will flow through the home too fast. Instead of it going straight out of the back door, you want it to undulate throughout the whole home in a graceful and even manner. The best way to slow down this flow is to place a patteren rug on the floor in front of the front door, add artwork on the walls, or add a round entry table to the foyer space.
Decluttering your home may seem like an obvious enough solution, we can all be guilty of letting contents accumulate in our home that may not have a specific function. Clutter is more than just unappealing visually, it's an anchor for the energy in a home. An excessive amount of clutter can stop you from having clarity of thought, and even weigh you down emotionally. Get rid of everything you don’t love or need in your house. Clutter clearing is a time-and-energy-consuming process that will feel like therapy, but it will help you "lighten up the load," so to speak. Do not skip this step, as it is an essential one in creating harmonious Feng Shui energy. Plus, it will help you feel less frazzled and more efficient in your day to day routine.
3. Clear The Front Door Path:
The front door in a home is an important factor to Feng Shui. It's the main portal through which the energy from outside will enter into your home. You want to make sure the energy flows uninterrupted through the front door, without "metaphorically" running into a wall. Keep your front door area free of clutter and consider installing a mirror near the front door. This can help by expanding the energy in the space, which in turn expands the opportunities within your life - and prevents you from feeling limited.
4. Balance The Five Elements:
Whether present physically, or symbolically, the five elements in a home are earth, fire, wood, metal, and water. The fire element can be brought into a home with warmer tones, or physically through a fireplace and burning candle. You want to ensure there is a balance between all of the elements. People can easily be drawn to an element that may cause an imbalance in their life. For example, if a person were to find themselves rather aggressive, they'd want to avoid a large amount of fire elements - such as a bright red wall. If a person is lacking motivation in their life, it would be best for them to add more fire elements. Look at the elements within your home in a symbolic manner, and see what you need to change to help create a more balanced emotional life.
5. Remove Negative Symbolism:
From books to traffic signs, symbolism bombards us daily. In every day life, we are guided by the symbolism that surrounds us, which is enhanced even more within our homes. If you have trouble finding clarity, see if you have a lot of stuff cluttered in your home. If you have low self esteem, check to see if mirrors are hung too high, which equates to you never measuring up. If you find yourself unable to get out of the single life, look around, do you surround yourself with single decor? I.e. single vases, single chairs, single person in pictures/art. Figure out the challenges you face on a daily basis in your life and then look for the symbols in the contents your home holds.
6. Maximize Natural Light And Air:
These two elements are essential for good Feng Shui energy (called Chi) in your home. Open the windows often, introduce air-purifying plants or use an air purifier. Allow as much natural light as possible into the home Natural light can make a person much happier and more positive. You can also enhance the natural light in your home by placing mirrors directly across from windows to help reflect the light throughout your space.
Be mindful of the energy in your home and how it influences your well-being. Make a habit of paying close attention to the so-called Feng Shui "trinity" that is deeply connected to your health: your bedroom, your bathroom and your kitchen. Nothing is static in the world of energy, so be wise and keep your home healthy and happy.
These Feng Shui tips may do a little more than just bring some harmony into your home, they could potentially increase the value of your home's selling price.
