Learn how to bring positive energy into your home with feng shui , the ancient Chinese practice that encourages residue and harmony .
Your home ’s design can significantly affectyour overall felicity . A space that makes you feel well reflect positively on other aspects of your life , and to meet this aim , the ancient Formosan practice of feng shui has been applied for thousands of years . What is feng shui ?
“ Feng shui is really an graphics that celebrates skill , ” says feng shi expert Gabrielle Santiago . “ Its design is to reach harmony and balance between humans and their environment . ”

Credit: Victoria Pearson
What Is Feng Shui?
Santiago says feng shui , which translates to “ steer and water , ” was historically used to select favourable places and times for edifice home plate , growing crops , and other living - confirm activities . The philosophy is base on the element of world , alloy , water , Mrs. Henry Wood , and fire , which can all be make up through various chassis , colors , and materials throughout a home . The right balance cultivates well-chosen , organized spaces thatsupport our well - being and everyday life .
The Chi
One of the most important agent is a room ’s chi , or vim . Fent sui expert Joanna Lily Wong , suggests intellection of chi as the flow of water , which can browse from still to rapid . “ In a heavy room where there ’s not a lot of article of furniture , the energy festinate in like a deluge , which can make you feel lost with nowhere to go , ” Wong says . Conversely , a diminished elbow room packed withtoo much furnituredoesn’t give the energy outer space to move , resulting in a stagnant touch .
The Bagua
The bagua is the chart used to represent the region of a home or office to decide where the five elements will be located . The traditional bagua is an octagon ( the word bagua means “ eight - sided ” in Chinese ) . The bagua is divided into nine sections — the eight percentage of the octagon and the mall stain — with each section representing three expanse of your life and a gloss or gloss .
Feng Shui Tips for a Happier Home
What is feng shui meant to do ? “ [ Feng shui ] is rooted in the idea that you find positivistic energy not by crossing your fingers and hoping for it , but by seeking it , ” Santiago say . Tofoster a harmonious feelingin your rest home , taste these simple ways to contain feng shui .
1. Clear away clutter.
According to the philosophy , excessive clutter can impede the catamenia of energy in your home . “ If you ’re feeling tired , depressed , unmotivated , or claustrophobic , the chi in your home is probably too slow , ” Santiago says . Employ coordinate solutionsthat help you minimize welter , especially around passageway like doors and halls . Remove any obstacles in your path as you move through your home , andlet go of unnecessary or unwanted itemsthat are taking up valuable space .
2. Open up the traffic flow.
Choose feng shui furniture arrangementsthat allow open nerve tract into and around rooms . Blocked traffic flow results in immobilize chi , Wong says . In the living room , for exercise , forefend layout that place the back of the sofa toward the entree of the room , and take swapping your square chocolate mesa for a circular one . “ Rounded corners are preferred to discriminating edge because they allow for a unruffled dealings flow , ” she allege . For good feng shui , think about how you move through a room and make certain your itinerary is smooth and exculpated .
3. Design a welcoming entry.
“ The response that you have when recruit your house is the energy you ’re going to bring into the rest of the home , ” Wong say . Create a positive first impression with a respectable entryway that feel undimmed and inviting . integrated plant inside the entrywayand around your front door to nurture a welcoming atm . Fix door that stick or finicky locks that make frustration when you arrive home base , and add good deal of lighting so you ’re not at once walk into a sorry room .
4. Bring in feng shui plants.
Plants furnish a real connection to nature , add energy and novelty . grace rooms with plentifulness of works life history , taking care to prefer varieties that areappropriate for your home ’s illumination conditionsand your power to care for them . However , beware of spiky or pointy parting . “ Plants with libertine , softer leave aid ensure you ’re not subconsciously on edge , ” Wong tell .
5. Utilize the command position.
In feng shui , the command position touch on to where a firearm of piece of furniture is locate in relation back to the door . For example , when you’relying in bedor sit down at your desk , you should ideally be capable to see the door without being straight in line with it . The best place is often site diagonally from the door with a solid wall behind you . This represents your power to efficaciously handle opportunities or threats that come into your life sentence . As Wong explains , this can be traced back to our beast instincts . “ You want to be able to see who ’s enter your private place , but position yourself directly in front of the door put you in a vulnerable dapple , ” she tell .
6. Create yin and yang balance with feng shui colors.
Yin and yang refer to the womanly ( forbearance , hunch , and receptiveness ) and masculine ( activeness , conclusion - devising , and self-assertiveness ) quality of a space . Balancing light ( womanly ) and morose ( masculine ) colors and shades in a room is essential tobalancing the yin and yangfor the near feng shui .
depend on the shade , coloring can either toil or uplift a way , so choose carefully toachieve the good balance . In general , dull , nature - inspired hue will encourage calm , while brighter , more vivacious people of colour will increase DOE point . Wong recommends keeping darker gloss miserable to the floor to put up a substantial foundation . Then , applylight colors on wallsand roof for a balanced , opened effect . The polar software program ( sluttish - colored floors with dark walls ) can lead to an imbalanced tactual sensation .
Remember that the destination is n’t to accomplish perfect feng shui . nidus on small change that aid you feel more relaxed and content . “ Your home is a reflection of yourself , ” Santiago says . “ The positive changes you make are positively and beneficially reflected in your liveliness . ”

Credit: Lisa Romerein

Credit: Stacy Zarin Goldberg

Credit: Helen Elizabeth Norman

Credit: David Tsay