Since you are likely very familiar with the interior of your home, it is a good idea to fill it with positivity. Enter feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice that charts the balance of energy, or chi, through scientific calculations. The goal of feng shui is to invite positive chi into your home so that your life feels both energetic and balanced, and it's a relatively simple way to improve the vibration of your space. While we are no experts, and calculations really depend on your exact space, there are general guidelines. So, we're here to inspire some good energy to make your time at home as enjoyable as possible.
Check your command positions
In feng shui, one of the most important principles is the command position. Basically, this is the position of some important furniture: the bed (represents you), the desk (represents your career), and the stove (represents your possessions). While you may not be able to move your stove, it's probably fairly easy to get your bed and desk into a better position. The most important thing is that you can see the door when you use these items - can you see it when you are in bed or sitting at your desk? You shouldn't be in close proximity to the door, but you shouldn't have your back to it either. All of this comes into play so that you can receive optimal positive energy.
Go vertical
No, you don't have to add a climbing wall or ladder to your decor, but integrating some vertical shapes and lines into your home means growth and development. You can do this in a number of ways. Add some light where light travels upward. Add a tree to a corner to make the space appear taller. If you have room, place some tall bookshelves. Work with the parameters you have available to you to create a feeling of height.
Keep things clean
Too much clutter around probably won't do your clarity of mind any favors, let alone your interior design plan. In feng shui, it is believed that clutter takes up valuable space that the new incoming energy needs. We recommend making a habit of cleaning your workspace every day. Not only will it make you feel less stressed, but it will also create a sense of order in such chaotic times. Plus, you'll get a clean start each day, which should benefit your productivity. Other easy cleanings that make a big difference: your windows (they're considered the eyes of the building). Give those glasses a new shine to make the most of the sunlight.
Declutter your entryway
Doesn't it make sense that the first place you see when you open the door is an important place to have good energy? In feng shui, your entrance represents how energy enters your home and your life. Get rid of piles and bricked up socks. Do some dusting and decluttering. If you have enough space, add some plants and artwork. Do whatever you can to make the area feel inviting. Kristin Esposito, an architect and interior designer who has studied feng shui, says: "Always try to include a shoe rack, coat hooks and storage for rain gear/umbrellas. It's important that all of these items have their 'own place to call home' because they keep the energy of the world outside your front door."
Removing Obstacles
Are the most common pathways in your home, from bedroom to bathroom, free of tripping hazards? Is there an end table that you bump into every day? Think about how you move through your space and try to make the paths as clear as possible. If this inspires you to make some major changes, you probably need them. Efficiency is everything in feng shui, so it's important to remove obstacles from your path and ease the flow.
Add plants
Your new life motto should be: When in doubt, add more plants. We have a more detailed primer on where to find your ideal chi and where to best place them, but the short answer? Plants embody life energy, so they will add freshness and vitality to your home.
Incorporate Metal
"In the Chinese calendar, we are in the year of the rat, and the element is metal," says Kristin. "The metal element is great to incorporate into a home office space because it helps with clarity, sharpness of thought, calms and balances energies, and can also help with productivity." (This couldn't be more timely to incorporate into your home as we all navigate new work schedules and spaces during the coronavirus outbreak). Bring some decorative bowls, statues, or small sculptures.
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