How To Use Feng Shui To Balance Your Home

Here at Taylor's on the High Street, we think that your home should be so much more than where you live. It's where you relax and recharge away from the stress of everyday life. Interior design has a huge impact on the atmosphere of your home, and with the right decor, you can create the perfect oasis.

We've touched on how to decorate your home to help your mental well-being, including how to incorporate feng shui interior design. But what exactly is it, and how can it help boost your energy and create a calmer environment? 

Feng shui is a great way to bring positive energy to your life and it’s surprisingly simple to follow! If you feel like your interiors could use a refresh, then scroll on for our tips on how to use feng shui to balance your home. 

What Is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, interiors and objects in a way that is balanced and brings harmony to your environment. The literal translation of the word is "wind" and "water", and refers to the vital elements for life. Historically, the practice has its roots in Taoism and Buddhism, however, feng shui elements can be seen in many different cultures.

"Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, interiors and objects in a way that is balanced and brings harmony to your environment."

Over the years, the art has made its way across the world and into western homes. The main point of the practice is to allow positive energy to flow through living spaces and create a mindful space. This isn't just good news for your interior design, but having a feng shui home can also help to reduce stress.

Feng Shui Commanding Positions

One of the main principles of feng shui is what is known as commanding positions. How you arrange your furniture is the most important aspect of the practice, as it impacts how energy moves through your home. The power position essentially means that your "important furniture" like beds and desks, should be arranged facing your door, but not directly opposite.

The main door to a room is known as the "mouth of chi" and is where energy comes into a room. When it comes to how to position your bed for feng shui, it's important to ensure you can see the door without being directly in front of it. According to the practice, your bed represents you, so be sure to give it extra attention.

Now, of course, some bedrooms simply can't be rearranged into a feng shui house layout completely. Luckily, there are some clever ways to get around this block. Placing a mirror in a way that allows you to see the door while in bed is one simple way to avoid reorganising your bedroom furniture.

Add Some Height To Keep Energy Flowing 

When it comes to arranging your home, small and cramped spaces overwhelmed with pieces are one of the main feng shui don'ts. The goal is to create as much room to breathe as possible, so creating height is vital. If you don't have high ceilings to work with, get creative with furniture placement and home accessories.

Shelving units help create the illusion of a high ceiling and expand your storage options at the same time to minimise clutter. Wall shelves can also help add some height, even when you don't have much solid wall to work with. You can also position artwork to draw the eye upwards, or add use a tall faux plant to extend corners in your living room.

Invest In Storage Space And Keep Things Neat

Keeping your home free of obstacles is a vital aspect of feng shui, and adopting a minimalist mindset when it comes to clutter helps keep your space flowing. A wonderful way to keep items hidden away without giving up floor space with storage boxes is by investing in hidden storage solutions. Ottoman bed frames are a brilliant way to keep clutter to a minimum and tuck items away neatly.

Neatness is a key part of the practice, as it reduces stress and clears the mind. Another tip is to keep your windows clean, as in feng shui, the windows symbolise the eyes of the home and its inhabitants. So, sticking to your cleaning schedule is even more important.

​​Pay Special Attention To Your Front Door

While hallways are often a neglected part of the home, they hold a lot of importance in feng shui. Your entryway represents where energy enters your home and your life, so it's the first place you should try and use feng shui. Keeping your entry mess-free is vital, as most of us have hallway cupboards full of clutter.

Keeping your entryway clean is also important, so make sure to invest in a good door mat. Amtico door mats are fantastic, as they prevent dirt from being tracked into the house. Creating an inviting atmosphere is essential, so be sure to add accessories like wall art or a chic console table.

Incorporate Wood Elements

In feng shui, the water element, earth element, metal element, fire element and wood element are often called upon to bring a sense of nature to home decor. Similarly to the Chinese zodiac, each year features its own element. 2022 is the year of the tiger the wood element, so it's worth incorporating this into your decor.

The wood element embodies growth and vitality and is represented by the colours green and teal. If your walls could use a refresh opting for green paint is a great way to introduce the wood element while also staying on-trend. You can also accessorise with teal cushions for a simple change that makes a splash.