Feng Shui is a metaphysical practice that uses the systems and ideas of Taoism and the cosmological schools of ancient China. It is a philosophy and a way of understanding our place in the natural world as well as our relationship to the universe. Feng Shui is not about design or decoration, but the principles and ideals of Feng Shui can inspire you when decorating a room. You can design a room from a Feng Shui perspective. And we can use the philosophy of Feng Shui when we use basic design elements like light and color.
The basic principle of Feng Shui is to connect with the natural world. The term Feng Shui comes from a poem and translates to wind and water. These are two elements of nature that we need to survive. Our bodies need air (breath) and water to function. Many of us live lives that are isolated from nature. With Feng Shui, we can bring natural energy back into our homes.
Creating Harmony
Feng Shui is all about creating harmony. From a design perspective, the proper use of design elements and principles leads to harmony. In feng shui, we want to create harmony. From a design perspective, the proper use of design elements and principles leads to harmony.
Natural Light (Yin and Yang)
One way to approach design according to the principles of Feng Shui is to look at the natural light in your home with the concept of Yin and Yang. Conscious use of natural light can increase our qi and energy. It is important to respect our circadian rhythms and allow natural light to filter in, encouraging your body to wake up and go to sleep at the right time.
Bright light is the yang energy that stimulates us and gets us moving. Low light, quiet and dark is the yin energy, which is calm and still. You need to keep both in balance, not too much of one or the other.
Be organized and tidy
For some reason, this is first on the list! A neglected home is a good bed for stress, depression, and unhappiness. This is well known among designers, including professional organizers and interior designers.
The Chinese defined qi as an invisible energy that connects life, and strong qi cannot exist in a messy, dusty house. When helping your clients apply Feng Shui, the first thing you should do is remove dust, dirt, or clutter that blocks positive and healthy energy. Not sure where to start? Clean out a neglected drawer or closet and start installing systems that will keep things tidy.
Keep your bed away from the window
Feng shui is very strict with this law. Your head should never be under the window when you are sleeping. The reason is that both your mind and body need support. Therefore, boards should be placed on solid, doorless walls on both sides.
Furniture placement is very important in Feng Shui, and the bedroom is perhaps the most important room of all. (This is where we rest and recharge our batteries). The energy in this room must be calm and harmonious, which leads us to the next law.
Separate work and rest areas
To attract (and maintain) positive energy, your client needs to be mindful of how they use this space. Putting a table in your client’s bedroom violates the strict rule of feng shui, which states that work and rest must remain separate. Putting a laptop next to the bed is tempting because many people work hard (and some work from home), but it takes away that comfort!
Your client’s bedroom can not be an oasis of relaxation if he associates it with work. So encourage him to find another area where he can set up his workspace (for example, in the kitchen or an extra room).
Know your colors
Every interior designer knows how important colors are in the home. Colors improve quality of life by lifting mood, reducing stress, and boosting confidence.
Think about red for a moment. We can bet that thoughts of excitement come to mind. When this color is seen on the walls of your living space, the energy in that environment becomes passionate, bold, and vibrant. In contrast, the color green creates a sense of calm and serenity. This can help customers relax after a busy day!
