The 5 Principles of Feng Shui: How to Bring Calm to Your Home in 2020

Need a little balance in your life this year? Feng shui might be able to help.

According to traditional Chinese beliefs, a feng shui-ed space lets energy flow more freely, offering an environment of harmony, balance, and positivity.

It incorporates five natural elements: wood, earth, metal, water, and fire, as well as the careful, thoughtful placement of furniture, decor, and other features in any given space.

Want to try your hand at this ancient art? Let’s study up on the main principles of this design approach first:

1. There should be a balance between the yin and the yang.

Feng shui is all about balance — particularly of yin and yang elements. Essentially, if you have a yin feature in a space, you want an equal amount of yang.

Here are some examples:

• Dark (yin) and light (yang)
• Soft (yin) and hard (yang)
• Feminine (yin) and masculine (yang)
• Open space (yin) and closed space/solidity (yang)
• Curved (yin) and geometric (yang)

Try to strike a balance between these elements in any space you’re looking to feng shui.

2. You need open pathways for energy to flow.

Energy, or chi, is front in center in feng shui design, and that energy needs space to flow — in each room, on each wall, and throughout the entire home. 

To create these energy pathways, you’ll need to be mindful of where you place furniture, particularly as it relates to doors. For example, you wouldn’t want to place your bed directly in front of your bedroom door; that would block your energy flow. Instead, you’d want the bed back a bit, against a wall diagonal from the way, giving chi room to travel, while also giving you the “commanding position” when you sit upon it (more on this next). 

The same goes for placing other items, too. Avoid blocking doorways, openings, and halls in your home, and clear away any clutter. You want a clear path throughout the house for energy to travel.

3. Take the commanding position.

You want your home base in each room to take the commanding position, also called the power position. This means you’re facing the door (not right in front of it), and have full visibility over the space before you. In your home office, this might mean your desk is in the center of the room, just slightly diagonal from the door, or in the living room, it may mean your couch or recliner is along a back wall. It all depends on your layout and furnishings.

4. Use the five elements.

The five elements mentioned early (earth, metal, water, fire, and wood) all indicate an area of your life. Incorporate more of these elements, and it’s supposed to influence your quality of life. 

Earth elements, for example, indicated groundedness and stability. More earth elements in your space might lead to a more grounded, humble existence. Wood, on the other hand, indicates expanding and growing. Incorporating more of these might help you advance your career or achieve that next big goal.

5. Know the Bagua map. 

Similar to the elements above, there is also a “Bagua map” in feng shui that is supposed to correlate with certain life aspects. You take the map, impose it over your floor plan, and this indicates what areas of your home inform your life circumstances. Wealth and prosperity, for example, are typically in the southeasternmost space in your home. Incorporate the right elements here, and you could, according to feng shui principles, improve your overall wealth.

Other parts of the Bagua map include fame/reputation, love, health, children, knowledge, career, and more.

Quick Tips for Feng Shui-ing Your House

• Let in air and light. Open windows, light drapery, and natural light are big in feng shui-ed spaces. You can even keep that back door open once in a while.
• Organize and declutter. Clutter and disarray block energy flow. Get organized, and remove anything you don’t need. You might also consider removing unnecessary furniture.
• Make your bedroom more peaceful. Take out the TVs, computers, and work-related items from your bedroom, and avoid mirrors, too. Make it a tranquil and relaxing space free from stress and vanity.
• Bring in bits of nature. Nature equals peace and tranquility in feng shui. Add a small bamboo plant, a potted fern, or a tinkling water fountain to any space for a little extra calming effect. 
• Let your birthdate be your guide. Are you a wood, fire, earth, metal, or water sign in the Chinese zodiac? Let that guide your color palette and decor choices. 

Feng Shui Your Place

Do you need professional help feng shui-ing your home?

Just want some extra cash to remodel or upgrade your decor or furnishings?

A cash-out refinance may be able to help you afford it. Get in touch with an Embrace Home Loans officer today to learn more about your financing options.