“How we discuss our lives is often very easily described with nouns that correspond directly to our environment,” says Karen Rauch Carter, a professional feng shui consultant and the author of Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life in Naples, Florida. Your perception of your environment can determine how you think and behave in life, says Carter. And that’s where feng shui comes in, as a tool to help you design a space that makes you feel good, powerful, and supported in your health and wellness goals. While balance and energy are important in today’s feng shui practices, a more modern interpretation of the approach is the use of items, color, or placement to reprogram your subconscious to align with a healthier mindset, says Laura Cerrano, a Manhattan-based certified feng shui expert. “The exterior of the home or work environment influences the interior of the person,” Cerrano says. So whether you’re spending more time at home thanks to the pandemic, setting up multiuse spaces (like a bedroom-office or TV room–gym), or simply trying to create a positive place where you can practice self-care, read on to learn more about creating a home space that you truly feel good in.
Yin and Yang Energies
The 5 Elements
The Bagua Map
The bagua (derived from Mandarin 八卦, or bāguà) means “eight areas.” (For practical purposes, feng shui practitioners will usually divide the room into nine areas, says Cerrano.) Experts superimpose the grid-like bagua map, or compass, over a floor plan or room in your home as a guide for setting up your space. Every area corresponds to certain life experiences, such as career, health, and family, as well as shapes, elements, and colors to focus on within each.
Colors
The bagua map can help you determine what colors to bring into a space. For example, says Cerrano, the “Wealth and Abundance” area of your home (perhaps your home office?) could include purple, greens, and some blues, as these colors are traditionally linked with the energy of prosperity.
The Commanding Position
This is one of the more basic principles. You can use this to decide where to put your desk, bed, or chairs in a room. Cerrano says your desk should have a clear view of the doorway that leads into the room if possible. Having a wall free of furniture and directly behind you while you’re working is another plus. “This wall represents a mountain to support your back and give you confidence as you’re making decisions in business,” she says.
Mirrors
You can use mirrors strategically when you might not otherwise be able to follow feng shui principles. For example, says Cerrano, if you must set up your desk with your back to the doorway, you can use a mirror that provides a view behind you, so you can “watch your back.” There are certain places where you may not want to place a mirror. “Mirrors equal water, so watch where they’re placed,” adds Carter. For instance, a mirror above your bed or hung above nose level is not appropriate, because you want to “keep your head above water”; this metaphor refers to avoiding debt or losing money on your home. Poor mirror placement may also make it feel more difficult to get up in the morning. That said, expert advice on mirror placement may differ from person to person. Feng shui is a form of self-help, she continues. “This isn’t about fixing your house,” she says; rather, it’s about setting up your home to encourage the life you want to have. If you sit with your back to a door, you might not feel safe in that space. The idea is that by changing the way you perceive your environment, you can also change how you think and behave in it. Ultimately, this can help you align your thoughts and actions in healthier ways, Cerrano says. Transforming the energy in the room can thus shift or turn around your internal energy, help you look at life differently, and bring benefits like feelings of safety, calm, peace, support, and more power or control in your life. In other words, the practice can give you a new perspective on your life or help you see a problem through a new lens, but it’s not a total solution. You’ll likely have to put in effort to change your behavior, habits, or choices — it’s unlikely that implementing feng shui principles alone will change your life. That said, here’s how to begin applying the principles of feng shui in certain rooms.
Bedroom “The bedroom has two functions: sleep, and passion or relationship building,” says Carter. To that end, remove workout equipment, ironing boards, and hobby gear (like sewing kits or musical instruments) from your bedroom. Plus, adds Carter, “No one’s eyes should be in the room, other than those of the people sleeping there.” Take anything that could represent an eye (such as a sculpture, or photos of your family) out of the room.Living room A position facing a door or entryway is considered empowering (or commanding), and you should arrange furniture in this position, advises Carter. That means placing chairs so their (and your) back is against a solid wall, not floating in the middle of a room. “You should be able to see who’s coming in, but should not be directly in line with the doorway,” she says.Kitchen Decluttering is important in feng shui, and that applies to any room in your home. The kitchen is a good place to begin. Start by clearing expired or unused items out of your pantry and refrigerator, and get rid of single-use appliances and tools that you never cook with. “Space equals opportunity,” says Carter. By getting rid of things, you clear the way for other things to come into your life.Bathroom If your bathroom shares a wall with your bed’s headboard, place a mirror on that bathroom wall, facing outward, to “push out” the “down the drain” energy created by the plumbing, says Carter. Within the bathroom itself, make sure it’s a place that feels relaxing and nice to be in, adds Cerrano.You can do this in any way you see fit, whether that’s with plush towels, a nice candle, or a relaxing paint color.Home office First, try to place your desk in a commanding position. Then, take a look at the things you have hanging on the walls. If there are water features in any of the art or pictures , and the water line is higher than your nose, you may feel as if you’re “underwater,” says Carter — drowning among your responsibilities, or chaotic and disorganized. “Place water images in the way they’re found in nature. We don’t normally live lower than water,” she says, suggesting that you rehang them lower than level with your nose.
