Feng Shui is the ancient practice of organising your home in the most positive and reinforcing way. While we do realise a lot of it is based on superstition, there is solid groundwork in it’s ways. And hey. If it didn’t work, people wouldn’t still practice it. There’s just something very harmonious in a well organised and planned living space. To this extend we devised this very basic guide on how to reap the most tangible benefits without going too in depth.

Feng Shui Balance

It can be very simply be boiled down to the balance of the opposite energies – Yin and Yang. Neither should prevail in a harmonious home, and the constant circular turbulence between the two is the movement of life itself.

The fusion of both in the material world brings about all of life’s phenomena and variety and thus are required both in equal measure. This duality is not to be considered as a good versus bad. It’s rather like the temperature. Both extremities are undesirable.

So how does this work in regard to your home? Think of it like this:

Bedroom

The bedroom is your space for rejuvenation and relaxation. It’s energy must be both calm and energising, without being turbulent.

• Your bed should have a sturdy headboard that is propped against a wall, but not one shared with the bathroom. It must also be accessible from both sides, and elevated off the ground. This helps energy move around you while you sleep. Put two nightstand on both ends to balance it further. Pairing everything in this room is set to reinforce romantic relationships.
• The bed should not be directly in front or next to a window. Nor should it be on the imaginary path between the two. Doors and windows create flows. The ideal position of your bed is at a 45° from the door.
• Remove any and all electronics from your bedroom such as a computer or television. This is also because of the very tangible electromagnetism they posses.
• Soft lighting is preferable for this room. Closing the drapes when you go to bed would also improve your sleep.

Living Room

A place to gather with family and friends, circles really fit this area, as it’s a shape that fosters harmony.

• As with the bed in the bedroom your main sofa should have it’s back to a sturdy wall. This anchors the room and aids with relaxation. All other seating furniture should be arranged according to the sofa. A circular or square formation is more favourable, and they should all have a good view of the door.
• The TV, carrying strong yang energy should be on the north or south wall. This is because north is associated with career and your path in life, and south with fame. You choose which one is more important to you.
• If your decorative elements are wooden place them on the eastern wall, if they are metal you should place them on the western one. East is the direction for family associated with the past and it’s element is wood. West is connected to children and the future, with the element of metal.

Kitchen

Signifying prosperity and nourishment the kitchen is part of the feng shui health trinity together with the bedroom and bathroom. It is believed that this is the most important of the three.

• You are probably noticing a pattern at this point. Yes, the stove must also be anchored to a wall. In Feng Shui each room has a most important item so to speak and in the case of the kitchen it is the stove. The “mouth” of the oven must be at a 45° angle to the door.
• Do not place sink directly in front or next to the stove. The elements of the two will clash. It’s advisable to have at least 50cm distance.
• The kitchen or if impossible the cooking area should be as far away as the bathroom as possible, and should most definitely not share a wall. This is mostly common sense. Who wants their restroom around the place they prepare food an eat?

Bathroom

Bathrooms and restrooms are rather notorious for their yin energy, which is somewhat synonymous with bad qi. However they are the third part of the health trinity in feng shui along with the bathroom and kitchen, and are of course the place where you go to clean yourself. Bathrooms are getting a bad rap.

• It’s important to keep your bathroom dry. This will keep any mold forming in it and it will have a positive impact on your health.
• Clutter is something that is undesirable anywhere in the house, but especially here. Clutter is a contributor to stress and makes the atmosphere of a room stale.
• Let as much light in your bathroom as possible. If a big window isn’t an option use bright colours and good artificial lighting.

Study

Оr work room, or really whatever you want to call it. Your home office must foster creativity and improve your focus and energy.

• Anchor your work desk so the chair’s back is to a wall in a way that you can see the entire room. Having your desk face a wall makes you feel cramped, and if it overlooks a window it would be hard to concentrate.
• Incorporate a water element in some form. Still water helps with concentration while moving one will improve your mood and overall energy.
• Put a cactus or bamboo plant on the window. They are considered good luck and symbols of prosperity due to their hardiness. Having something green in your study will make you more energetic. Plants have this subconscious effect.

The post Feng Shui Tips for a Cozy Home appeared first on Fantastic Handyman Blog.