Feng Shui can help you achieve balance and harmony in your space, whether you’re prepping for a major move or just searching for some fresh home decor inspiration.
One of the simplest ways to implement feng shui in your home is by decluttering. Begin by scanning each room for items that don’t belong there.
The Bagua Map
The Bagua Map, also spelled bagua, is the primary tool used by Feng Shui practitioners to assist their clients in determining which areas of their home need improving. Divided into eight sectors radiating out from its center, this map helps pinpoint problem areas for improvement.
The sections on the bagua are symbolic, representing specific groupings of colors, elements and shapes associated with specific energy meridians within your home. They also correspond to life areas like fame, relationships/marriage, children/creativity, helpful people/travel, career opportunities, inner knowledge of family/ancestors health conditions wealth blessings etc.
For instance, the health sector of the bagua lies in the center and addresses your physical and emotional wellbeing. To promote energy in this section of your home, feng shui expert Jennifer Cerrano suggests using square-shaped objects with yellow tones as well as earth tones.
Finally, the family and ancestors section is found in the northeastern corner of the bagua and commemorates your family members, extended family, and ancestors. To balance this energy, feng shui experts suggest using rectangle-shaped items, green and blue colors, as well as plants or botanical artwork.
The Five Elements
Feng Shui is the practice of harmonizing the five elements–wood, fire, earth, metal and water–to create a harmonious space. By understanding each element’s significance and placing it appropriately in certain places around your home, you can maximize chi energy to reach its highest potential.
Wood: Wood symbolizes creativity, new life, expansion, health, strength and flexibility. It’s often depicted in wavy or curved shapes but can also be expressed through flat or rectangular objects.
Earth: Earth is represented by neutral colors and flat or square shapes such as tables, chairs, and other items. It tends to be placed in the southeast region of a home, not the northwest or south.
Metal: The metal element is symbolized by round or curving objects, mirrors and metallic finishes. It symbolizes health, wealth and love.
Feng Shui is not just for the interiors of your home; it can be applied to your yard and office as well!
The Five Directions
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy of balance and harmony that can be applied to all aspects of home design. It uses five elements–earth, water, fire, metal and wood–and their associated colors and shapes–to create harmonious spaces that promote wellbeing in our daily lives.
Feng shui requires the elements, directions and colors to come together in harmony in order to create an optimal energy flow through your home. This is done using the Chinese compass and elements with matching energies.
Yin and yang are opposite male and female energies that must be balanced to create harmony. Yin energy is dark, passive, and slow while yang energy is bright, active, and aggressive.
Chi (yin) should reside in tranquil spaces such as bedrooms, while yang (chi) should occupy more social, productive areas like kitchens and home offices. A balanced and harmonious flow of chi is essential for good health, happiness, wealth and positive energy within the home.
The Eight Areas
Feng Shui for the home involves analyzing the energy in your space and then considering how that energy can be harnessed to enhance your life. One of the most efficient ways of doing this is through the Bagua Map, which outlines which areas of your residence are connected to specific aspects of wellbeing.
Feng shui experts may superimpose the bagua map over your floor plan or room to help identify which shape and color belongs in that space.
You should also consider the yin and yang qualities in your home to create balance in the spaces you design. This can be achieved by pairing soft pillows with a bright (light) pillowcase, or mixing colors and shapes that harmonize traditionally masculine with traditionally feminine elements.
Feng shui places great emphasis on the front door, which serves as the portal to your home. To ensure its optimal energy flow, ensure it’s kept clean and in excellent condition; otherwise, outside energies may seep into your house.
