Feng Shui Decorating for a More Inviting Home
Feng Shui was developed in southwestern China thousands of year ago, most likely during the Han dynasty (206 B.C. to A.D. 220). Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) literally means “wind” and “water”. The water is representative of wealth and the wind symbolizes direction. As part of a culture that was mired in philosophy and superstition, the practice has its roots in an appealing combination of mythology and wisdom. Its central idea is something similar to what real estate agents of modern times have been saying for years: “Location, location, location.” Feng Shui focuses on the arrangement of one’s surroundings in an effort to bring comfort, peace, and success. Like many things Eastern, Feng Shui has found its way to the spotlight in America during the past several years. It has become not only a subject of curiosity and fascination, but also a guide by which thousands of people now arrange their homes, offices, and lives.
Different Kinds of Feng Shui
Over the years, Feng Shui has branched into several unique practices called “schools.”
Form School – Born into a mountainous terrain, the original form of Feng Shui is concerned mostly with geography. Beneficial Chi (“chee”), or life energy, is said to prefer certain areas and the purpose of early Feng Shui was to identify those ideal areas, either for erecting kingdoms or burying the dead.
Compass School – Sometimes called the “Eight Mansions” or “East West Theory,” Compass School differs from Form School mostly in that it concentrates on the eight directions of the compass less than the geographical characteristics of the land. It focuses on the flow of Chi as well.
Flying Star School – This school of Feng Shui is the most complex of the four, focusing on time as well as direction and land. It also takes into account dates of building construction and other bits of information to calculate appropriate placement. The “stars” are the nine aspects of nature, which are said to effect energy levels through the combined influences of spacial direction and the passage of time.
Black Sect Tantric Buddhism School – Black Sect Feng Shui was developed in the late 1970’s by Grandmaster Professor Lin Yun. Black Sect Feng Shui takes the more traditional methods from the east and combines them with western culture. It uses a mixture of Form School Feng Shui, Compass School Feng Shui, psychology, architecture, ecology, and the study of colors. This type of Feng Shui is the most commonly practiced in America and is the most contemporary of the four schools. We will focus on Black Sect Feng Shui.
How Does Feng Shui Work?
Whether it is actually Chi at work in the homes of those that practice Feng Shui or the more modern mystery of the subconscious is probably a great subject for debate,but it’s not really one that we will address. Whatever the cause, the ancient Chinese wisdom combined with a little bit of western education seems to be satisfactory to numerous people across the country. Houses are sometimes constructed with Feng Shui in mind. There are those, already sheltered and furnished, that swear by elaborate redecoration in the name of Feng Shui and will stop only short of actually tearing down walls. Conveniently enough for the rest of us, though, there are tips and tricks that don’t require a home loan or a bulldozer.
Just Let Your Feng Shui
Entrance – A long, meandering path from the road to the front door of your house is said to encourage beneficial Chi. It is also said that avoiding a direct line of entrance to your home gives you time to reflect on your day and focus on the sheer goodness of “being home” before you enter your house. Especially if your day has been a stressful one, it is important to do what you can to shed that nervous energy before settling into your haven. If the entranceway to your home is not something that you can so easily rearrange, decorative items near the door will also work, things like wind chimes, a birdbath, or flowerbeds. The front door should lead to a spacious area, or at least one that is well-lit and free of clutter. Most importantly, the entrance to your home should be appealing to you.
Living Room – The living room is the heart of the home, and it should communicate peace and relaxation. A spacious living room is best but to transform a small one you can hang a mirror in the room as decoration. This will create the illusion of more space, helping to get rid of nervous energy. A room free of clutter will also feel like a larger one. It is important that the living room is arranged in such a way that most visible lines are soft instead of harsh and straight. This can be managed by arranging a few pieces of furniture in a diagonal manner. Walls are also important, as they represent security and safety. The couch should be against or near a wall, and not directly in front of or across from a window. Since the living room is meant to be a place of relaxation and relationships, the television should not be the focal point. It is best to stow the television away in a cabinet-style entertainment center that can be closed.
Kitchen – The kitchen is a room of nourishment and health. The most important (and most simple) piece of Feng Shui advice when it comes to you kitchen is this: Keep it clean. The stove is representative of wealth in Feng Shui and should be kept in the best possible condition. Kitchens should be easy to move around in and lit well. It is best if the most frequently used door in your house does not enter directly into the kitchen, for this is said to encourage overindulgence. For the sake of healthy Chi (and safe people), don’t leave knives hanging from cabinets or in a position where the blades are bared.
Bedroom – Not surprisingly, the bedroom is the most important room in the house because it is most likely where you will spend the majority of your time while at home . It is also where you will be doing your sleeping, and sleeping well is imperative to good health, concentration, and happiness. The bed should be positioned in a way that the door of the bedroom is easily visible from it, but it should not be along the same wall as the door. If your house’s support beams are visible, the bed should not be beneath one of them, for the perceived weight can cause headaches or even depression. It is best not to sleep directly under a large hanging light or ceiling fan to avoid the sensation that something might fall. This can translate as uncertainty or insecurity. Of all the rooms in the house, the bedroom is the most welcoming to clutter.
Bathroom – North-facing bathrooms are ideal, as north is the direction associated with water. Assuming you have little say in the matter, we’ll go over some other bathroom tips. Black and blue are also associated with water, so decorating your bathroom in this way is not only pretty but also Chi-approved. Because bathrooms and toilets are places of hygiene and therefore associated with unwanted waste, it is best to create a breezy atmosphere, with emphasis on windows and mirrors.
Hallways and Staircases – Like the entrance to your house, your hallways should always be well lighted and as free of clutter as possible. This encourages the flow of Chi, or perhaps it only discourages slight feelings of claustrophobia and disarray; in either case, it is a good idea. Stairways should not be directly in front of the more frequently used entrance, as this is said to encourage Chi from the outside directly up or down (depending on where your stairs lead). To avoid this, you can use screens or plants to guide traffic from the front door slightly away from the staircase.
More Tips for Happy Chi
Clutter is never encouraged in Feng Shui. To be truly comfortable in your home, you should know where everything belongs and it should have a designated place. This is your domain after all, and you’re the only one that can control it. You should never let your home become a place of discordant chaos that disturbs you. It should be your safe place, your cozy haven.
Mirrors, screens, and other objects are convenient for manipulating a home’s flow. The idea is to encourage equal flow of Chi (picture the air from a fan blowing from your front door) into every room in your house.
Plants, aquariums, and fountains are all encouraged in Feng Shui. They are said to improve the quality of Chi in your home and they are also pleasing for more obvious reasons. Pets of all kinds (yes, even plants) lend a certain warmth to any home, and running water is pleasantly relaxing.
Curved lines are always preferable to straight ones. As you’ve probably heard, there are no straight lines in nature. While it would be impossible (and probably undesirable) to rid your home of every straight line, you can soften the effects of modern living with asymmetrical designs and rounded corners.
