Turn Your Bathroom into a Spa Oasis with Feng Shui
Does your bathroom rejuvenate you in the morning and help you relax and unwind in the evening, or does it create chaos, increase stress and promote tension in your life?
Consider the following aspects of your bathroom and implement some of the suggestions to create a spa-like experience that uplifts your energy and renews your spirit.
1. Colors: The best colors for a bathroom include lighter shades of green, yellow, blue, silver sage, lavender, and yellow.
The bathroom already has an enormous amount of water energy represented with the sink, tub, shower and toilet. Colors that incorporate the “wood” element, such as light blues and greens, feed the water element and create a sense of balance.
Avoid colors such as red, purple, emerald, navy, brown and black; they make the room feel smaller. Additionally, red, purple and black represent the fire (red and purple) or water (black) element, which can make the water element in the room undesirably strong.
I recently worked with a client who had a small bathroom decorated entirely in red. The room felt tight and constricting. I felt my body tense as soon as I entered. I suggested that she paint over the red with a lighter cream or white and introduce green accents in the form of a shower curtain, rug and towels. Her bathroom now feels like a lush, personal oasis that she loves.
2. Life Energy: Many homes I visit have a lot of candles in the bathroom, especially on top of the toilet tank. While it’s relaxing and romantic to soak in a tub by candlelight, candles represent the fire element, which actually strengthens the water element already in the space.
Instead of candles, bring live plants into the bathroom to balance the water element. You can even replace those candles on top of your toilet tank with a lush green plant.
Of course, you can keep candles in your bathroom. Simply store them of sight when you are not using them, or keep only a few displayed. This change is easy and inexpensive to implement, and you’ll notice a difference right away.
3. Proper Ventilation: You want good air flow throughout your whole house to promote the flow of chi, but it is especially important to have proper ventilation and fresh air circulating in the bathroom. Run the fan when you take a hot shower so you don’t create mold and mildew in the bathroom.
4. Scents: Your bathroom experience should encompass all your senses. Small pots of fresh herbs, such as lavender, rosemary or sage, add a relaxing scent to the space, while offsetting the water element in the room. Try to avoid using air fresheners that may add toxic chemicals to the air; look for natural alternatives whenever you can.
5. Organization: What do you see when you walk into your bathroom: the curling iron, makeup and brushes scattered across the vanity? Or do you notice bath salts, folded towels, organized baskets and soothing lotions?
Consider organizing the space to display items that are pleasing to the eye. Keep your hair dryer and other styling tools tucked away out of sight. Even when they’re not turned on, these items emit electrical energy that can energize a space too much.
6. Lighting: Make sure your bathroom is well lit and that you have additional lighting options such as multiple lights or lights on a dimmer.
7.. Mirrors: Bathroom mirrors should permit you to see your entire face. If the mirror is not hung at the proper height, and the image cuts off the top of your head or chin, it is slicing your energy. This can lead to problems of self-esteem or feeling “incomplete.” It’s best to have one mirror rather than multiple panes of mirrors, so the mirror does not cut your image into segments.
8. Etiquette: The toilet seat should always be down with the toilet lid closed. Do you really want that bacteria going into the air when you flush the toilet?
9. Proper Maintenance: Fix any leaking faucets and keep the fixtures clean. Dripping water is said to “drain” your wealth and can lead to financial difficulties.
These are just a few ways you can incorporate Feng Shui into your bathroom and your life.
