There are all sorts of principles of feng shui that are pretty well-known, such as reducing clutter, fixing broken stuff, and placing remedies in spots where the feng shui isn't great. The reason for it all is the flow of chi — a universal energy that underlies everything in the universe. Directing, harnessing, and allowing this energy to flow in optimal patterns through the spaces in and around where you live, work, and play can help improve all aspects of your life.
That's it. That's the entire basis of feng shui. And the more you know about directing this flow of chi appropriately, the better your vibe will be. So we have tips and tricks you start right away to harness this life force energy to improve your spaces — and maybe your life.
Chi energy is the life force of all living matter. It consists of two opposite energies — yin (female) and yang (male). Feng shui helps you recreate this ideal balance in homes and other structures.
Eliminate Clutter
Since allowing chi to flow freely is the primary goal of feng shui, it's essential to remove things that restrict its movement. And clutter is perhaps the biggest thing that blocks chi energy flow. If you have shelves jam-packed with tchotchkes, dust on all your furniture, dead plants, drawers and closets that are a jumbled mess, unrepaired items, and other things that make up clutter, this chaotic energy blocks or misdirects chi so it flows in a chaotic pattern instead of flowing freely. So, the very first (and most important) step you can take to improve chi flow is to remove clutter.
If you've lived a cluttered life for a long time, we know just how challenging and overwhelming it can feel to get it all under control. We suggest going room by room and spending 5-10 minutes each day decluttering. After even a few days of this habit, you'll begin to notice a difference in how your home feels. Keep at it, and you'll change how the energy flows.
Related: Simplify Your Home: A Comprehensive Decluttering List
Choose Meaningful Items for Each of Your Home's Sectors
Feng shui has a chart called a bagua map that divides your home into sectors. Each sector has a type of energy that helps you place pieces that can enhance certain energies. For example, looking at the bagua map above, notice that the back left corner of the home from the front door facing in is related to wealth and prosperity. You can place items associated with increasing prosperity in this sector, and add a few elements made from wood, which is the feng shui element that enhances this sector.
Start with one sector. Get rid of any clutter and place one or two meaningful items (more than that is clutter) related to the element and colors in that area. Go sector by sector over a period of a few months, and before you know it, your home's energy will be flowing better. Here are a few suggestions for each sector:
- Prosperity — Money tree plant, Chinese coins
- Fame and reputation — Candle, lamp
- Love and marriage — Rose quartz stone, mystic knot
- Family and new beginnings — Wooden box, family photo in wood frame
- Health — Healing crystals, painting of a mountain
- Creativity and children — Kids' artwork, a metal bowl
- Knowledge and self-cultivation — A globe, books
- Career — A fountain, a fish tank
- Helpful people and travel — Map or globe, photos of someone you look up to
Arrange Spaces in Your Home That Correspond With Bagua Sectors
Using the bagua map, you can also turn each room (or part of a room) into a place that supports your desired energy. For example, you can set up a table to plan travel in the helpful people and travel sector and put your bedroom in the love and marriage sector.
Only Keep Items You Love and Use
Your mindset also contributes to the flow of energy in your home. So it's important that you fill your spaces with items that you truly love and/or that are useful. Marie Kondo is absolutely right when she asks, "Does this spark joy?" Items that aren't used or that you really don't like are clutter, both for your space and for your mind.
Repair or Replace Broken Stuff
Broken stuff is clutter that blocks or disrupts chi flow. So if something breaks, fix it right away or replace it. This includes things like loose doorknobs or floorboards, broken furniture, and burned-out lights. As soon as you notice something isn't working right anymore, take care of it right away to optimize the flow of chi.
Open Your Curtains and Shades During the Day
Of course, there are times when you want your house to be dark — like when you're sleeping. But light can help keep feng shui flowing. So you should open your curtains and blinds every day so that natural light comes in and helps the chi move around your spaces.
Get Better Vibes Without a Ton of Effort
Sure, it may take some time to declutter if you're a clutterbug like we can be, but there are all sorts of small things you can do and habits you can develop that'll change how your spaces feel fast. So optimize the chi energy in your home by implementing some easy changes that make all the difference.
