Feng Shui In The Home And Office: Decorating, Design, Bedroom Color And Consultants

The Chinese believe Chi, or energy, flows throughout all spaces; therefore, it can be captured and emphasized by applying the art of feng shui in the home or office. The basic principles of feng shui decorating are meant to allow Chi, such as airways and light, to move throughout a home or office environment.

Feng Shui in the Home

Bedroom
When it comes to bedroom placement, adults may prefer it if their bed faces west, allowing their bedroom color to be enhanced by light energy from the setting sun. Children, on the other hand, may enjoy the invigorating morning rays that can be seen from a bedroom facing east. No matter which direction a bedroom is facing, a bed should never directly face a window and should be placed so the sleeper’s feet face a doorway. In order to avoid exciting Chi, a bedroom should not include more than two mirrors, and a mirror should not be placed at the foot of a bed or opposite a window, this allows Chi to escape the bedroom.

Bathroom
Though north typically is associated with malevolent spirits and unfortunate mishaps, it also is associated with water; for this reason, it is ideal for a bathroom to face this direction. Because it is important to ensure the protection of children and the elderly, sharp objects, non-slip surfaces and the proximity of water to electrical outlets are important safety factors to consider. Also, in order to assist the flow of Chi and keep it from getting polluted, a bathroom should be equipped with breezy windows, mirrors and feng shui crystals.

Kitchen
According to Chinese folklore, malicious spirits arise from the north; therefore, good feng shui design states, in order to avoid the chances for unfortunate occurrences, a kitchen should not face this direction. Hanging crystals or wind chimes in windows and doorways facing north is thought to be an effective feng shui décor cure. Another tip for incorporating feng shui in the kitchen is to avoid placing the kitchen sink beside the stove. Because a kitchen sink represents water and a stove portrays fire, these two elements should not be placed next to each other. Also, because white symbolizes purity, and thus promotes good health from well-prepared food, it is the favored color for kitchens when decorating with feng shui in the home.

Stairways
A poorly-positioned stairway, such as one placed directly opposite the front door, may allow Chi to rush to the next level, causing the ground floor to starve. Therefore, mirrors, wind chimes, potted plants and screens should be placed on or around the stairway. For example, placing a plant at the foot of a stairway will help prevent Chi from moving upward; this will allow the flow to continue through the ground floor, heightening feng shui in the home. Placing a skylight over a stairway also can help improve feng shui in the home.

Entrance Ways
To prevent Chi from escaping a home, large doorways should be avoided; however, if a large doorway is unavoidable, placing wind chimes outside the door can counteract the problem. Wind chimes may discourage negative energy, or Sha, from entering a home. On the other hand, a small doorway does not permit enough Chi to enter the home. To ensure the right amount of Chi is present in a home, a mirror should be placed on either side of the door or on a wall opposite the door. In addition, mirrors or a ceiling fan should be placed in window-less and door-less entry halls.

Creating a Feng Shui Office

According to Darrin Zeer, feng shui consultant and author of Office Feng Shui, “a clean, organized office space with everything in order allows energy to flow and frees you up to calmly mastermind your projects.”

The art of creating a feng shui office begins with reorganizing and rearranging a few essential elements, such as a computer and a telephone; the chaotic space often seen in an office setting will begin to emit the response of productivity. Today, the 5,000-year-old art of feng shui decorating is used within a wide variety of business enivronments.

“Clutter creates stagnation, reduces effectiveness, and leaves you feeling lethargic and confused,” Zeer says. The Chinese principles of feng shui decorating encourage an office to be decorated so the flow of Chi does not create additional disturbances.

To create a feng shui office, consider these simple tips:

• Position the desks so people entering the office are visible. Because walls represent security and protection, a person's back should be facing the wall.
• Keep the area in front of the desk open and clear of any objects.
• Do not position the desk beside or directly opposite the door.
• To avoid causing disturbances in the flow of energy, be sure not to position files and copy machines in the center of the room.
• To help eliminate clutter, keep office equipment cords well hidden.
• Do not keep any mirrors in the office.
• Place the computer in the north or west areas of the office if it is used to enhance creativity; if the computer is used to generate income, place it in the Southeast area.




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