You know that! Decorating your home isn’t just about aesthetics; it is an intimate space management process that brings harmony, balance and happiness.
In the dictionary of interior design, Feng Shui principles serve as a lighthouse, guiding you to transform your living space into a sanctuary of positive energy. But how to create good feng shui for your home? Phung Phuong, a feng shui expert and member of LotusBuddhas, offers suggestions on how to use commonly used decorative items to create balance and harmony. From that helps increase health, prosperity and inner peace.
1. Fresh Flowers
Phung Phuong said, integrating fresh flowers into your home decor is not merely an aesthetic choice; it serves a multifunctional role that also enhances the energy flow within your living space, as per the principles of feng shui.
Fresh cut flowers are veritable champions in the realm of feng shui, adding an ineffable aura of joy and natural qi—often referred to as life force energy—to your home. The vibrancy and fragrance of these flowers have the capacity to transform stagnant energy, reviving areas in your life that may seem immobile or inert.
When you opt for floral decor, you have to be mindful of the maintenance it necessitates. Maintaining the vase and water in a clean state is not merely a matter of cleanliness but also one of sustaining the positive energy that the flowers bring. The fresh state of the water not only nourishes the flowers but also ensures the circulation of good qi in your home environment.
However, you must to recognize when the flowers have outlived their vitality. While dried or dead flowers may be seen as decorative in other contexts, in feng shui, they are contraindicated. The withered state of the flowers could adversely affect the energy balance, serving as a metaphorical and literal drain on your living space’s vitality. Therefore, once the flowers have reached the end of their life cycle, disposing of them responsibly is recommended.
2. Houseplants
Living green plants are not just decorative elements but conduits of positive energy that invite nature into your interior environment. When you introduce houseplants to your home, you’re essentially inviting vitality and balance, fostering a harmonious coexistence with your surroundings.
The type of plant you choose significantly influences the energy dynamics within your living space. Phung Phuong said while all plants are essentially good in feng shui, those with soft, rounded leaves are especially impactful. They exude a sense of calm, fostering peace and tranquility. In contrast, plants with spiky, thorny, or sharp leaves are not recommended for feng shui applications. Such plants can introduce conflicting energies, making the environment less conducive to peace and harmony.
The health and well-being of your houseplants are also pivotal factors in maintaining good feng shui. A thriving, well-cared-for plant becomes a potent reservoir of positive qi, which in turn, enriches your life. Conversely, a neglected plant not only loses its feng shui benefits but can also become a source of negative energy. Keeping your plants healthy—ensuring they receive adequate light, water, and nutrients—augments their ability to serve as vessels for good energy flow.
You can refer to: 10 Types of Money Plants in Feng Shui
3. Welcome Mat
In the realm of Feng Shui, the entrance to one’s home is not just a door—it’s a portal for energy, opportunities, and prosperity. One might think it trivial, but your welcome mat, that humble adornment gracing your front steps, holds great potential in determining the type of energy you beckon into your life.
When you select a welcome mat, consider its size carefully. Like a handshake that is neither too weak nor too overpowering, the mat should mirror the proportions of your front door. This balance ensures a harmonious flow of energy into your home.
Should you wish to pull in the fierce vitality and assertiveness that are characteristic of leaders and visionaries, red and black are your allies. However, if you desire a life filled with nourishment, stability, and grounding, the inviting embrace of brown will serve you well. And for those of you who yearn for the company of individuals who bring assistance, guidance, and warmth, grey is the shade to embrace. Nevertheless, harmony is paramount. Therefore, any color that sits in aesthetic unity with your front door will pave the way for auspicious energy.
Phung Phuong also noted that, cleanliness and upkeep of your mat are crucial. Just as you wouldn’t greet a guest with a cluttered mind and spirit, ensure your mat is clean, devoid of any debris, and embodies the essence of a welcoming spirit. For in its fibers and hues, your welcome mat has the power to shape your life’s energy, offering a harmonious transition from the world outside to the sanctuary within.
4. Rugs
These decorative items, while often overlooked, hold the potential to shape and transform the essence of your home. Remember, a rug doesn’t just adorn; it connects, stabilizes and invites.
When you wish to harness the earth element, the embodiment of stability and nurturance, turn to rugs in shades of yellow, orange, or brown. Opting for a square shape further solidifies this grounding energy, echoing the unwavering steadiness of the Earth itself.
However, if you find yourself yearning for precision, lucidity, and a touch of delight, it’s the metal element you seek. White and gray rugs, particularly those with circular patterns, beckon this clarity and joy into your space, illuminating it with a radiant shimmer reminiscent of polished silver.
Should you feel the need for adaptability, the gentle ebb and flow of life, then the water element awaits. Rugs with soft, wavy patterns or in profound shades of black infuse your home with a serene fluidity, encouraging you to glide effortlessly through life’s challenges.
For those of you striving for familial unity and harmony, the wood element is your sanctuary. Rugs imbued with blue and green tones mirror the vitality of thriving forests, fostering bonds as deep-rooted and enduring as ancient trees. Lastly, if passion and vigor are what you desire, stoke the flames with the fire element. Rugs with red, fiery hues or featuring triangular or zig-zag patterns ignite a zest for life, kindling the fervor and ardor within you.
5. Diffusers
Aromatherapy, a discipline rooted in ancient wellness traditions, has gained significant recognition for its potent capacity to modify and enhance the energy dynamics of living spaces. Central to this practice in contemporary settings is the use of essential oil diffusers, devices meticulously designed to release the therapeutic attributes of oils into the ambient air.
In your quest to imbue your home with the benefits of aromatherapy, the caliber of the diffuser you choose holds paramount importance. As such, you are advised to prioritize purchasing the highest quality diffuser you can afford. This not only ensures the optimal diffusion of essential oil compounds but also underscores durability and efficient operation.
The care and maintenance of your diffuser cannot be understated. By regularly cleaning the device, you ensure the purity of each aromatic emission, free from the contamination of residual oils. This meticulous upkeep ensures that the transformative power of the essential oils remains undiluted.
To further enhance the Feng Shui of your home, consider the following essential oils:
- Sweet Orange: An epitome of vibrant life energy in Feng Shui, Sweet Orange is a timeless choice to infuse your home with brightness and vivacity. Its cheerful aroma not only uplifts the spirit but also symbolizes the zest and vitality inherent in life itself.
- Palo Santo: Esteemed for its space-clearing properties, Palo Santo serves as an energetic broom, sweeping away stagnant energy. Its light, minty scent is revered for transmuting negativity, ushering in an ambiance of clarity and rejuvenation.
- Lavender: A quintessential oil for bedrooms, Lavender’s calming properties are legendary. Its soothing aroma fosters an environment conducive to rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation, making it an indispensable choice for areas dedicated to restfulness.
While the aesthetic appeal of diffusers and the sensory pleasure of essential oils are undeniable, their true merit lies in their capacity to realign, refresh, and rejuvenate the energy matrix of your living spaces. Thus, as you incorporate them into your home, you not only enhance its sensory experience but also foster an ambiance of holistic well-being.
6. Pillows
Pillows are often considered a common decorative accessory in the home, but have an important meaning in the context of Feng Shui. Their relatively modest size and ubiquity indicate their profound influence on the energy composition of a space.
Given their versatility, pillows offer a unique avenue for homeowners like you to recalibrate the energy of your living environment in accordance with evolving life circumstances or even the cyclical changes of seasons.
- Earth Element: The grounding attributes of the Earth element find resonance in earthy hues such as yellow, orange and brown. By incorporating pillows in these colors, you actively foster an ambiance conducive to self-care and nurturing. Such choices resonate with the core principle of Feng Shui that emphasizes harmony and well-being.
- Metal Element: In situations where you are seeking heightened clarity or wish to magnetize support and guidance into your life, turning to the Metal element is advisable. Pillows in shades of white and gray not only reflect sophistication but also serve as conduits for this element’s distinct energy, helping you attain a sharper focus and stability.
- Water Element: Insight and wisdom, two invaluable qualities in navigating life’s myriad challenges, are intimately tied to the Water element. By introducing black pillows into your decor, you beckon this element and its associated virtues, promoting introspection and profound understanding.
- Wood Element: The dynamic cycles of life occasionally necessitate fresh beginnings and rejuvenation. The Wood element, embodied in hues of blue and green, aligns with growth, vitality and renewal. Thus, pillows in these colors act as harbingers of fresh starts and vibrant energy.
- Fire Element: Passion and a heart-centered approach to life find their source in the Fire element. Red pillows, as emblems of this elemental force, can ignite passion, enthusiasm, and a fervent engagement with life.
Pillows in a myriad of colors and textures serve as effective tools in the Feng Shui practitioner’s arsenal. Their strategic placement and color choice allows you to fine-tune your home’s energy matrix, ensuring it remains in line with your needs and aspirations.
7. Candles
Candles, while universally celebrated for their aesthetic allure, occupy a distinctive niche in the realm of Feng Shui, owing to their intrinsic association with the fire element. As modest flames flicker, they emanate an aura that subtly shifts the energy dynamics of a space, imbuing it with warmth, vibrancy and transformative potential.
Historically, across diverse spiritual traditions, the luminous glow of a candle has been revered as a tangible manifestation of wisdom. This isn’t just light in a mundane sense, but light that illuminates, clarifies, and uplifts. As such, the integration of candles into one’s living environment does more than merely accentuate its visual appeal; it extends an invitation to this ethereal wisdom, creating pockets of serenity and introspection amid the bustle of contemporary life.
Prioritizing high-quality organic and natural products isn’t merely an environmentally-conscious decision but one rooted in Feng Shui principles. By opting for these candles, you ensure that the energy they release is not tainted by chemicals or artificial additives. This purity resonates at a frequency that is harmonious with the natural order, amplifying the positive effects candles have on the energy of a space.
8. Mirrors
Mirrors, beyond their commonplace utility in decor and personal grooming, hold a transcendent significance in the intricate tapestry of Feng Shui. When judiciously placed and chosen, they possess the potency to recalibrate the energy dynamics of a space, ushering in an ambiance of wisdom, clarity and balance.
At the very heart of a mirror lies its unerring ability to reflect reality, encapsulating both the tangible and the symbolic. As instruments of reflection, mirrors inherently symbolize wisdom and clarity. Their very essence is to present the truth, unvarnished and undistorted, echoing the foundational principles of many ancient spiritual and philosophical traditions.
If you’re contemplating the integration of mirrors into your living environment from a Feng Shui perspective, your primary focus should be on the quality and integrity of the mirror. Prioritizing clear, high-caliber mirrors devoid of any fractures or distortions is not a mere aesthetic choice. It ensures that the mirror, in its role as an energetic tool, functions optimally, reflecting only undistorted energies and truths.
One particularly intriguing application of mirrors in Feng Shui pertains to addressing missing Bagua areas. Bagua, the eight-fold path, serves as a guiding map in Feng Shui, demarcating areas of one’s living space corresponding to specific life aspects.
Occasionally, architectural anomalies might result in certain areas being “missing” from the Bagua. In such instances, mirrors emerge as invaluable tools. By hanging a mirror on a wall, you can energetically expand your floor plan, drawing in the essence of the absent Bagua zone. Crucially, ensure that the mirror faces inward into your home, with its back directed towards the deficient area. This placement effectively bridges the spatial gap, inviting and harmonizing the energy associated with the missing Bagua section.
You can refer to: How to Use Mirrors for Good Feng Shui
9. Fish Tank
Water is one of the fundamental elements in feng shui, representing fluidity, transformation and the flow of life. A fish tank harnesses this water element, making it a dynamic tool for channeling positive energies. The movement of the fish and the gentle undulation of the water invite dynamic yet harmonious energy into your space.
Choosing the right location for your fish tank is crucial. Placement in the southeast corner of your home is typically recommended, as this area is associated with wealth and abundance. However, avoid placing the fish tank in the bedroom or kitchen, as these are areas where its vibrant energy might be disruptive.
When it comes to the fish, consider a mix of colors but be especially partial to gold or orange hues, as these shades are linked with prosperity and good luck. The number of fish also plays a role in optimizing feng shui benefits; nine is considered an auspicious number, signifying abundance and good fortune.
Maintaining the health and cleanliness of your fish tank is equally essential. A neglected or dirty fish tank can reverse the benefits, transforming a source of positive energy into one of stagnant, negative qi. Thus, regular cleaning and care are imperative for sustaining the beneficial energies your fish tank brings into your home.
You can refer to: How to Use Fish Tank in Feng Shui
10. Crystals
Crystals are natural wonders, forged over millennia in the earth’s crucible, are not merely decorative artifacts. They are repositories of energy, each possessing a unique frequency and purpose, making them invaluable additions to any living space.
Crystals, with their multifaceted surfaces and inherent luminosity, act as prisms, capturing and refracting light, and by extension, positive chi. But beyond their shimmering exteriors lies an arcane potency rooted in their molecular compositions. Each crystal, be it amethyst’s tranquil purples or rose quartz’s gentle pinks, carries with it a specific energetic signature that influences the ambient energies of its surroundings.
Phung Phuong shared that, you can place a citrine in your wealth corner might invite abundance, while a protective black tourmaline near your entrance can ward off negative energies. The potential applications are as diverse as the crystals themselves, offering you a palette of energetic options to align with your intentions and desires.
Incorporating crystals into your home decor is not just a design choice; it’s a commitment to harnessing the earth’s energies for personal betterment. With every crystal you position, you’re anchoring specific vibrational frequencies that can uplift, heal, protect and inspire. It’s a testament to your understanding of the deeper interplay between space, energy, and well-being, ensuring that your home becomes not just a place of residence, but a sanctuary of harmonious living.
11. Art and Nature Paintings
When it comes to elevating the feng shui of your home, the strategic use of art and nature paintings is not to be overlooked. These elements serve as more than just visual ornaments; they are influential mediums that channel various forms of qi, or life force energy, into your living space.
Art and nature paintings come in a spectrum of themes and colors, each carrying its unique feng shui implications. For instance, paintings that depict water scenes can stimulate the flow of prosperity and abundance, aligning well with the Water element in feng shui. Similarly, artwork featuring mountains or earthy landscapes can bring in the grounding energies of the Earth element, enhancing stability and calmness in your life.
The choice of colors in your art pieces also has a profound impact. Earth tones can instill a sense of grounding, while blues and greens can bring about calmness and growth, respectively. On the other hand, vibrant colors like red can stimulate the Fire element, promoting enthusiasm and action.
Placement is another vital consideration in optimizing the feng shui benefits of your art. Displaying nature paintings in the east or southeast sectors of your home can foster family harmony and financial abundance. Conversely, avoid placing such artwork in areas where their energetic influences may not be desirable, such as overly stimulating scenes in the bedroom, which is a space meant for rest and relaxation.
Maintaining the condition of your artwork is equally important. Dust, wear, and tear can diminish the art’s energetic potential, so regular cleaning and maintenance are advised to preserve its positive influence on your home’s feng shui.
12. Spiritual Reminders
Among the myriad of decor elements one might introduce to a home, spiritual reminders occupy a unique and profoundly impactful position.
Irrespective of your personal spiritual leanings or practices, integrating decor elements that resonate with your beliefs can significantly enhance the feng shui of your home. Such items often transcend mere decorative value, serving as anchors that tether you to your spiritual beliefs, aspirations and memories.
Consider, for example, a cherished gift you’ve received from a mentor who has profoundly shaped your journey. Such an item carries with it a constellation of emotions, memories and energies. Similarly, an image or statue of Buddha, often symbolic of peace, enlightenment, and serenity, acts as a conduit for these energies, imbuing your space with its calming presence.
Positioning these spiritual reminders near your home’s entrance is particularly strategic. Doing so ensures that as you traverse the threshold of your abode, you’re consistently greeted by these resonant symbols. Their presence serves as both a gentle reminder of your spiritual path and an infusion of positive energy. Each time you enter or exit, you are subtly yet powerfully reinforced by the energies these items embody.
In the field of home design and decoration, Feng Shui principles exemplify the profound interaction between space and energy. It’s clear that the right decorations, when chosen and placed thoughtfully, can be more than just aesthetic additions. They act as powerful tools that help shape, transmit and amplify energy in a home. Whether it’s the reflective clarity of a mirror, the transforming light of a candle, or the symbolic resonance of spiritual reminders, each item has its own vibrational signature.
