The interior design industry has embraced the ancient Chinese practice of Feng shui to help people to tap into the energy of their space.
Feng shui harnesses different kinds of energy for balance and inner peace. Key in the orientation and design of historic buildings, it lends itself to interpretation within the home.
What is Feng Shui?
The ideas of Feng shui revolve around the belief of an invisible life force, known as qi (chi), which binds humans and objects with the universe. This force is primarily represented by five elements: fire, earth, water, metal and wood (the term Feng shui translates as ‘wind water’).
By following the beliefs of Feng shui, it was believed people could harness positive life forces to bring harmony and improve different aspects of their life such as good health, wealth and happiness.
Bagua
Also known as ‘Pa Kua’, the Bagua is a wide-ranging cosmology chart that embodies the fundamental principles of reality through nine concepts commonly associated with different parts of our lives including wealth, family, career and knowledge.
It’s believed you can harness its potential to unlock different life energies by placing items strategically in your space in accordance with Bagua.
Commanding Positions
Feng shui incorporates the concept of commanding positions. At its heart, this means the most important fixtures in a space should face the door, which is the entry point of qi, but not be directly in its line.
A desk placed facing a window within sight of a door is in a position of power and believed to thereby promote productivity. However, in the bedroom, your bed should be at a right-angle to the entrance, not directly opposite.
If commanding positions are difficult to achieve in any room, a mirror can be utilised to enable viewing of the doorway indirectly.
Balance
Arguably the most critical factor when it comes to Feng shui is balance. What this means when designing a room is prioritising scale in your choice and arrangement of furniture.
In a living room, the largest item (often the sofa) should be the correct scale for the space and positioned on the opposite side of the room from the entrance with its back parallel to a wall (although not directly opposite the entrance of the room). Other key pieces like chairs and side tables should be strategically close to encourage conversation without becoming obstacles to free movement.
In your kitchen or dining room, the dimensions and shape of your dining table need to be carefully considered so that it is neither so small as to look lost nor so large as to make it difficult to navigate around. A stylish Oriental rug placed beneath the dining table can ground the room and make it feel more intimate.
Feng shui balance can be achieved in a bedroom with a pair of matching cabinets each side of the bed topped with identical lamps. It’s important to create walking space on each side of the bed to help flow in the room.
Incorporating Feng Shui in The Home
By utilising the key principles of Feng shui, balance and positive energy can be harnessed across the home. The five key elements can be brought into every room in the form of furniture and furnishings, while colours can also be used to promote positive energy.
Furnishings
Our collection of copper and zinc-alloy-topped console and dining tables are ideal in that they incorporate two elements, metal and wood. Candles represent fire and a mirror is a perfect metaphor for water, reflecting light and bouncing energy back into the room.
Earth can be represented by introducing house plants to your scheme, which also purify the air and the energy. Wallpaper, fabrics and accessories like cushions featuring natural scenes or motifs can also be introduced.
Eliminating Clutter
One of the most important elements in improving energy flow in your home is to get rid of clutter. Ensure the top of your desk is at least 50% clear by purging it of old paperwork and superfluous stationery.
In sleeping areas, clear dust and debris from beneath beds. Give away clothes in your wardrobe that you haven’t worn in more than a year. Don’t cramp your space – your aim is to allow the energy to flow to optimise your physical and mental health.
Colour
Colour is another way of incorporating the five key elements of Feng shui.
Blue and black represent water, metal comes in grey or white, browns and greens are earth tones.
Red represents fire: it invigorates and, in the bedroom, increases desire.
Feng Shui in the Living Room
When it comes to Feng shui in the living room, location can have a significant impact. The room should not be too deep inside the house, ideally with two external walls for energy to flow into and seating to accommodate everyone comfortably.
The placement of various key fixtures can also have an impact on the room’s qi. For example, a TV placed in the north of the room is said to improve luck in your career!
Feng Shui in the Kitchen
The kitchen is a hugely important space when it comes to Feng shui, as it represents the health of everyone in the home.
An important rule is the balance of the elements and the separation of fire and water. Ensure the sink is positioned well away from the oven - which should be in a command position to enable you to cook while facing the door.
An island with inbuilt cooker is ideal: it promotes togetherness because people can gather around.
We wish you good luck in introducing Feng shui to promote positive energy throughout your home! If you want to discover more inspiration, check out our blogs on ways to decorate your home with plants and how colour in your home can affect your mood.
