Whether you want to attract positive energy, breathe new life into a living space, or just fancy a refresh, it pays to know the key principles of feng shui. But what exactly is it? While often referred to as the ancient Chinese ‘art of placement’, the literal translation of feng shui is ‘wind water’.

‘The wind scatters energy, and water holds energy,’ says feng shui expert and Nectar Life Hacks Host, Priya Sher. ‘We live in harmony with our environment. [Feng shui] aims to achieve balance in your living and working space and maximise your potential for success in all areas of your life.’

Quickfire feng shui tips

• Declutter, declutter, declutter – the flow of energy can’t work around clutter, and it will make you feel stressed with low energy. Efficiency is everything in feng shui.
• The most important elements of your home, like the bed, the cooker, the sofas, and your desk, should be put in a commanding position. The commanding position is the place in the room that allows the best energy flow.
• Cleanliness is essential in feng shui – a dirty home can lower energy and flow.
• Get painting – flaky paint and peeling paint are another no-no in feng shui.
• Fix it up – anything broken should go by the three R’s: Replace, Repair, Remove. Broken items bring negative energy, especially light bulbs, which diminish radiance.
• Remove obstacles – that hall table you’re constantly bumping into? Move it.

Where do you start?

Feng shui experts suggest starting with your hallway, as this symbolises the entrance to your sanctuary. Make it as minimal as possible and ‘always try to include a shoe rack, hooks for coats, and storage for rain gear/umbrellas, it’s important that all these items have their ‘own place to call home’ as they hold the energy of the world beyond your front door,’ says Kristin Esposito, an interior architect, designer and student of feng shui.

‘Clear away letters or parcels – the more organised and calm the area is, the more calm and peaceful the energy will be,’ adds Priya. ‘The front door should be in perfect condition as it represents wealth. To draw the energy to your front door place a beautiful plant and light either side of the door. You can activate the beneficial chi in the hall with a beautiful mirror and fresh flowers, which will instantly uplift the energy of a space.’

Plan a well-designed kitchen

‘The kitchen is a vital space as its energy represents nourishment and relationship harmony for the occupants,’ says Priya. ‘Ensure that you don’t place the sink and cooker opposite each other as that can lead to arguments between couples, as it creates a water and fire crash. Kitchen colours are an important consideration – avoid too much black and red as that also causes a fire and water crash.’

She also says that the ‘position of the cooker is important for the nourishment of the occupants’, and that you should ‘ensure it is not positioned under a window or directly opposite the kitchen or front door’. A great way of getting around this is by embedding your hob in a kitchen island.

Feng shui can improve your sleep

Bed positioning can be tricky, however. The commanding position for your bed requires you to be facing the door, but not directly in line with it, as sleeping with your feet pointing towards the door makes you vulnerable to intruders. But a lot also depends on where the window is, which direction the bedroom door opens and which room leads onto your bedroom.

Confused? Cliff Tan, founder of Dear Modern, an architecture and feng shui practice, has put together a great video on the best way to place your bed. Fortunately, if your space is a tricky one, a lot can be fixed with the addition of a rug!

To invite a little romantic energy into this space, Priya advises placing curvy lamps and lightly fragranced candles on the bedside table. Plus, bedside tables on either side of the bed provide support.

Keep your bathroom clean and tidy

‘The bathroom must always be kept clean with the door closed and the toilet lid down,’ says Priya. ‘This is the area where wealth may get drained, so introduce some plants in here, as plants soak in water which slows the flow of wealth draining away.’

Think carefully about your selection though, as some plants are better for feng shui than others. For example, rounded-leaf plants are much better than spiky leaves, which can drain personal energy. Money trees are commonly used in feng shui to promote good fortune and encourage wealth. And don’t forget to water it! Caring for your plant and helping it grow can reflect on your own life and bring prosperity and abundance.

Clean your windows and re-hang pictures

Dirty windows and crooked photos are two significant factors that can have a negative impact on the feng shui of your home. Windows represent the eyes to the world in feng shui, so dirty windows can block your vision to the outside world. Take the time to clean your windows inside and out, including those hard-to-reach top-floor windows.

Framed photos and art prints that are hung too low or not level can also impact your mood, as the low energy affects your chi – your vital life force. Re-hang any low photographs or mirrors around your home, particularly in your bedroom. You could also use a spirit level or tape measure to ensure your frames are level.

Consider colour

It’s not all pure white minimalism in feng shui. Colour represents the five natural elements of metal, earth, wood, water and fire in feng shui, so colour in your home should reflect one or more of those elements to create a sense of calmness and balance.

Metal colours (white, grey, metallics) can provide clarity, while fire tones (red, burnt orange, dark wood tones) can create energy, and water colours (blue tones, grey, off-whites) can create a sense of calm. Dig out the paint and re-decorate any rooms in your home that don’t create positive energy.

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Meet the feng shui experts

Want to know more about feng shui? Visit Ideal Home Show to hear more from these expert speakers, who will all be taking to the brand new Spring Clean Stage…

Jan Cisek of Feng Shui London

Jan is leading a talk called Practical Feng Shui for Wellness & Optimum Sleep. He’ll teach you how to design your home for wellness and your workplace for success with feng shui and environmental psychology. On stage 17, 23 & 24 March 2023.

Vicky Sweetlove

Vicky will be talking about the Balance and Harmony of your Home with Feng Shui and will teach you about how ‘clearing the clutter and having flowing “chi” energy through your home affects your love life, your wellbeing, your wealth and career in a positive way.’ On stage 29, 30 March & 1 April 2023.

Cliff Tan of Dear Modern

TikTok sensation Cliff will be discussing what feng shui is, and how the ancient Chinese practice might help you change your home. On stage 31 March & 1 April 2023.

Visit idealhome.seetickets.com to book tickets for the Ideal Home Show

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MORE WAYS TO FENG SHUI

• Tap into Japandi interior design
• How to declutter your home in 5 simple steps
• Experts answer the 10 most common cleaning questions

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