How to Feng Shui your home
Long before Marie Kondo, there was another famous school of thought that linked our sense of wellbeing to the way we organise our homes – Feng Shui.
Translating directly to 'wind and water', Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of allowing good energy (otherwise known as chi) to flow throughout your home. It's been around for thousands of years and stems from ancient Chinese astrology.
The tradition centres around the idea that people have a deep connection to where they live, and that the energy and flow of our living spaces have a profound effect on our wellbeing and sense of happiness, so it is best to optimise them.
And while Feng Shui existed well before home-organisation guru Marie Kondo, her best-selling book, 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up', echoes some of the basic principles of Feng Shui.
Feng Shui devotees are big on the idea that with a few small tweaks and a little spring cleaning, you can transform your home into a sanctuary of positivity. Here's how.
The 101 on Feng Shui-ing your home
Decluttering is key
Spring cleaning and decluttering your home will not only make it look better; it will make you feel like a new person. Clear out any items that aren't used regularly or don't serve a purpose. If you haven't touched it in over a year, it's a good sign that it's time to say sayonara. Likewise, if an item evokes bad memories or feelings, it's time to let it go. Remember that you don't have to throw everything in the rubbish — donating unwanted goods to op shops will get you extra karma points, and you can always sell the more valuable items you're willing to part with. The last step is to clear your surfaces (desks, side tables, etc.). Surfaces with minimal clutter encourage positive energy in the space.
Let there be light
The great outdoors and a little vitamin D are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and have a vast impact on the chi of our homes. In a nutshell: good quality air plus good quality light equals positive energy in the home. Simple, right? Every morning, pull the curtains, open your windows and back doors, and give your air purifying house plants some love and h2o. You should also know that Feng Shui and mirrors are a match made in chi heaven, so long as you use them correctly. The four golden rules of mirrors are:
- Place mirrors where they can dissipate light and movement. This allows positive energy to bounce around the room.
- Mirrors in a dining room invite wealth and abundance, as they appear to double the amount of food.
- Mirrors are practical in the entryway of the home, but shouldn't face the front door as it reflects good energy straight back outside.
- Don't place mirrors facing the bed. You could startle yourself and cause sleeplessness.
Colour me happy
Colours in Feng Shui are an expression of one of the five elements: fire, water, wood, earth and metal. Choosing colours to put in your home has a significant influence on how you feel – from happy, to passionate, to calm or content. When selecting your colour schemes, it's essential to focus on the feelings you want to ignite. If you want a warm or passionate space, try incorporating fire element red, to evoke feelings of romance, as well as luck. Meanwhile, a neutral palette is a nod to the metal element, symbolising innocence and clarity. Choose colours that evoke happiness within you, and positive energy will flow.
Feng Shui tips when building a new home
Staircases
If you take a stroll through a Metricon display home, like the Vantage in Lyndhurst or the Sovereign in Glen Waverley, you'll notice from the moment you step inside the front door that the staircases aren't visible. According to Feng Shui tradition, staircases should not be located in the centre of the home or aligned with the main entrance, as they disrupt the flow of energy. Any energy that comes into your home will head straight upstairs, instead of dispersing throughout the home freely as you want it.
Kitchen
As the heart of every residence, the kitchen plays a vital role in Feng Shui energy and can influence the health of the people living in the home. Island benches should be kept clean and unencumbered, and the kitchen sink should not be positioned within the island bench, as centrally-located water can drain energy from your home. Feng Shui also says that the kitchen sink (which represents the water element) should not be located beside the stove, representing the Feng Shui element of fire, as Fire and Water do not mix well.
Living Room
You want to position your furniture to enhance the movement of energy in a room, and to invoke a power that is rejuvenating and refreshing. Firstly, assess what the function of the living room is, and how you want to use it. Once you have singled out the primary purpose of the room, you will find it's easier to choose furniture that is relevant to the space. Couches should ideally be placed with a wall behind, or if that's not an option, you can position other furniture behind it to mirror the effect of a wall. When placing additional furniture, it should feel convenient and logical. If you need to go out of your way to walk around an item, chances are it is encouraging lousy Feng Shui in the room.
For more interior design or style inspiration, visit one of our award-winning display homes, or check out our style gallery, where you can save and organise all your favourite Metricon home designs.
