What is feng shui?

Feng shui, which literally translates to “wind-water,” is the Chinese art of arranging your surroundings in harmony and peace with the natural world. The purpose is to stimulate the flow of chi (spiritual energy) in a way that attracts health, happiness, relaxation, and success.

Good feng shui is achieved by the specific use of lighting, furniture placement, colors, and plants. Mirador’s Associate Broker, Thomas Walker, shares his insight on this popular philosophy based on his frequent encounters with clients who are avid feng shui practitioners. With his help, we pulled together a quick feng shui guide to make your home more peaceful and harmonious.

Bedroom

Feng shui divides homes into two types of space: private (ying) and public (yan). The bedroom is a private space where the ideal feng shui is one that “supports the best rest and connection with yourself,” says feng shui consultant Jayme Barrett.

Use calming colors

Warm, rich earth tones like terra-cotta, copper, cream, and peach create a welcoming atmosphere for bedrooms. Pink and red are also great colors to use, especially if you are living with a partner since they are “colors of romance and using them in the bedroom can increase the romance in our relationships,” advises David Kennedy, feng shui consultant.

Bed placement is key

Place your bed against the wall diagonally opposite from the bedroom door in a way where you can see the entrance and the entire room while you’re laying down. This helps you feel secure, protected, and will help attract relaxing chi.

Another well-known feng shui rule is to never position your bed where your feet are pointing directly at the door. “I’ve had quite a few clients express their desire to reposition beds so their feet do not face the door,” Mirador's Associate Broker, Thomas Walker says, “They explained that if one sleeps with their feet facing the door, their good energy will escape the room that way.”

Place mirrors cautiously

Never place mirrors in front of or above beds! This comes from the idea that if one sleeps under a mirror (symbolic window), his/her relaxation chi will escape during sleep. A more technical reason is that the reflective energy of a bedroom mirror catches so much light activity that it may interfere with your ability to sleep soundly.

Living Room

Light is lucky

Living rooms should be the brightest, sunniest room of the home. Bright living rooms are believed to bring prosper and luck to the family. If you prefer dark-colored decor, make sure to balance it out with lighter colors and allow plenty of natural light into the living room.

Declutter and decorate

Living rooms should be clean, organized, and clutter-free. Good feng shui energy cannot coexist with clutter.

Strategic placement of healthy plants can help facilitate good energy. For instance, Thomas Walker describes a time where one of his clients was particular about putting plants in the east-corner of his living room since this placement is believed to attract wealth.

Place furniture in a “position of power”

Arrange your couches in a way that allows for easy conversation and congregation. Most importantly, always place your couches against a solid wall which, similar to bed placement rules, helps create a sense of security. From sitting on the couch, you should have a clear view of the door and the entire room; this placement puts you in the position of power in your home.

Bathroom

Place mirrors on bathroom door

This helps good chi bounce back from the bathroom door and into other rooms.

Consistently replace old curtains with new ones for optimal clean chi in the bathroom!

Kitchen

Bring in the earth elements

Earth tones can ignite a much needed grounding energy when you’re dealing with fire and knives in the kitchen. In that case, use light granite for countertops, earthy colors for cabinets, and warm tones like yellows and golds for dishware.

Decorate with plants

Kitchens are active (yang) rooms of the home, so the presence of bright artwork and nature (plants, flowers) can help inspire the cook.

Remember that good feng shui is not meant to resolve all your life’s challenges; it is about “using the space as a way to teach us to be more conscious of creating balance in our lives,” says R.D. Chin, a feng shui architect. We hope you find this guide helpful in creating balance and harmony in your homes.

Want to work with Thomas and his feng shui expertise? Click on his contact card below!

Feng Shui Guide: Tips for Designing a Happier Home