Decorating and Feng Shui – Tips, Techniques & Theory

 

Decorating and Feng Shui in the Western World

Today home decorating and feng shui go hand in hand with the Western world. The principles of this ancient Chinese science are easy to apply, although it may take some experimenting before you achieve the best results.

Feng shui (translated: the wind and the water) creates harmony and good air quality in your environment. The goal is to let positive chi (healthy energy) flow smoothly throughout your living space or workplace.

According to the theory, harmony is achieved when yin and yang are balanced. Yin stands for darkness and quietness, yang for life and brightness.

The idea behind feng shui is that your well-being is affected if there isn't sufficient harmony and positive chi in your environment.

These methods have been used for thousands of years, not only in buildings, but also in the design and layout of cities and public spaces.

But, how do you apply these ancient feng shui practices when decorating?

First you have to ask yourself a few questions:

• Is there a room where you or other family members often hang out?
• Is there a place where you feel uncomfortable or rushed without any logical explanation?
• Assuming you have a hobby that demands creativity, are you happy with your work area and the end results?
• Do you still feel tired even after eight hours of sleep?
• If you’re a business owner, are you happy with your business results, or do you believe you could be making more money?

 

 

If your answers reveal that improvements can be made, it may be worthwhile to spend some time on home decorating and feng shui.

Here are a few tips that will create more positive chi and balance yin and yang:

• Use the right colors - They're essential for both health and state of mind.
  All colors are symbolic. Bright colors like green, red, yellow and light blue represent concepts like growth, luck and longevity. Darker colors are relaxing and soothing, although overuse may cause depression.

 

• Remove all clutter.
  The busier your home gets, the busier your mind becomes, and the more difficult it is to concentrate on things that matter. Ask yourself what you need to keep, and put the rest of the stuff away!

 

• Make sure there is enough space for movement.
  This is another key principle of decorating and feng shui. Organize your rooms in such a way that people can get in and out with ease. Remove all objects that prevent easy movement. This way the flow of healthy energy is increased.

 

• Always be able to see the doorway.
  You might not realize it, but having a commanding view of the doorway creates a feeling of safety and freedom. People feel vulnerable when they can’t see the door, especially when they sleep. A greater sense of security is felt if someone can see who enters a room and how to get out.

 

• Create a balance between hard lines and soft shapes.
  This is especially important when combining furniture, or arranging a room. Often a nicely curved chair placed in one of the corners helps break up the hard lines of more traditional furniture. Read about contemporary furniture here.

 

Apply these techniques when home decorating, and you will improve the quality of your living space...and perhaps even your life!

Learn about Asian decorating techniques other than feng shui here. Also, check out Japanese home decoration and decorating with bamboo.