How to bring harmony and balance to your home using feng shui
By Rachael Gavin|
W?e all want our homes to be a calming space where we can get the relaxation, rest and contentment we all need.
One way to do that is to embrace the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, which focuses on bringing balance and harmony in a space.
Matthew Phillips, Porter Davis World of Style's lead interior designer, uses feng shui principles in his own home through colour choice and furniture placement.
READ MORE: ?The interior design trends we'll be seeing in Australian homes in 2023
"As we welcome the Year of the Rabbit, I've opted for deep blues and rich accents; layering off-white/white and grey as well as black, as it is said to be auspicious colours," Phillips told 9Honey Living.
"I've also decorated my space with gentle gold metallics throughout to symbolise wealth, peace and prosperity จC all representative of the Year of the Rabbit.?"
And embracing feng shui in his home has certainly added harmony to the space.?
"For me, I feel more connected to each space I create when I'm mindful of my furniture placement and incorporating colours and textures that make me feel secure, relaxed and at ease.?"
READ MORE: Wardrobe organisation hacks that will save your sanity
Furniture placement is a key part of feng shui, and often what people most associate the practice with. A few simple tweaks to your space can make a big difference in the atmosphere and flow of a room.
"In regards to the positioning of furniture in your home, ensure that you organise and design your furnishings with a 'commanding' position," Phillips said.
"In feng shui, the commanding position is the spot in a room that is the farthest from the door and not in direct line with it. It puts you diagonal to the door. And ideally, you should have a clear line of sight to the door. When there is a direct line of sight to the door, front or back of the house, it means the chi (or energy) is penetrating the home."
One furniture item that should have a commanding position is our desk, which is considered "an extension of your career".
But since many jobs have gone remote or at least hybrid and we're working from home a lot now, it might not be as easy to put a desk in that kind of spot if it's in your living and dining room.
So we might need to get creative. "Creating distinct spaces through placement of a bookshelf, divider or rug can be a simple way to separate a space and help you find your 'commanding' position."
READ MORE: Four big mistakes you might be making making while decorating a small room?
?If you're interested in adding some feng shui to your home, don't start moving furniture around without taking time to think about your space and how you use it. Otherwise you might not get the calm you were hoping to achieve.
"?Although the principles are the same, rushing into adopting all of the feng shui principles without carefully considering the space can impede on its seamless integration. Take the time to understand how feng shui can accentuate your home and allow an easy transition that promotes balance and flow," Phillips said.
READ MORE: 8 budget-friendly ways to give your bathroom a fresh look without renovating?
Feng shui isn't just about colours and furniture though, it's also about the concept of less is more. So embracing the practice can start with decluttering the home and letting go of anything you don't need, want or use anymore.
"At the end of the day, you should focus on creating a space that feels good to you, as the ultimate goal of feng shui is creating that sense of harmony and wellbeing for yourself," Phillips said.?
For a daily dose of 9Honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
