If you take the time to dig into the philosophy around feng shui, you’ll understand that it doesn’t come off as esoteric as one may think. It’s based on simple practices to make 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 as common as “spring-cleaning,” or decorating to make a home feel much more comfortable.
This ancient Chinese tradition can be incorporated into your own home. It can be done in a modern holistic approach, while still honoring the age-old traditions that come with feng shui. It’s not about transforming the structure of your home, but instead making it evolve into a space that refreshes your home – and in turn your health. The following feng shui tips will do a little more than just bring some harmony into your home, they can potentially increase the value of your home’s selling price.
1. Slow Down Your Home’s Energy Flow:
The back door and the front door have a direct line of sight, which 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 patterned 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.
2. De-Clutter Your House:
Decluttering your home may seem like an obvious enough solution, but we can all be guilty of letting our content 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. Feng shui isn’t focused on having a perfectly styled home, but instead, provides a happier and healthier environment. Be sure to have the correction organized throughout your home. From paying bills to recycling content, and even something as simple as a designated spot for your keys. It’ll help you feel less frazzled and feel more efficient in your day-to-day routine.
3. Front Door Path Must Be Kept Clear:
The front door in a home is an important factor in feng shui. It’s the main portal through which the energy from outside will enter 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 hold the meaning that you are expanding the energy in the space, which in turn expands the opportunities within your life – and prevents you from feeling limited.
4. Balancing the Five Elements
Whether present physically, or symbolically, the five elements you can find 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 can cause an imbalance in their lives. 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’d best suit them to add more fire elements. Look at the elements within your home symbolically, and see what you need to change to create a more balanced emotional life.
5. Remove Any Negative Symbolism:
From books to traffic signs, symbolism bombards us daily. In everyday life, we are guided by the symbolism that surrounds us, which is enhanced even more so within our homes. An intimate environment represents an individual’s fears and challenges. 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, do you surround yourself with single decor? I.e. single vases, single chairs, single person in pictures/art. Figure out the challenges you face daily in your life and look at the symbols the content in your home holds, to understand what changes need to be made.
6. Maximize The Natural Light:
Natural light can make a person much happier and more positive. You want to enhance as much natural light in a home as possible, which can be done by placing mirrors directly across from windows to help reflect the light throughout your space.
