Feng shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that many people use to achieve calm and peace at home. Research suggests that the layout of our environments plays a critical role in our performance, both at home and work, and feng shui is known to help us find a sense of calm and balance in life. So, when you’re planning the layout of your home, it makes sense to utilize the principles of feng shui, as we explore below.
Introducing Feng Shui
A literal translation of feng shui reveals that the terms mean “wind” and “water”, respectively. The concept has its origins in a legendary Chinese poem that discusses the connectivity of life and the flow of one’s personal environment. The term evolved over time and today refers to a philosophy that can be used to specifically arrange interior furnishings within a living space to ensure coordination with the natural world.
Deriving from the philosophy of Taoism, the goal of feng shui is to harmonize one’s character with the environment. In fact, feng shui is known as the Tao in some Asian countries, which literally means “the way.” As you can see, this illustrates just how important philosophy is in certain cultures.
The Principles of Feng Shui
Commanding Position
The commanding position is arguably the most important principle of feng shui. Specifically, it refers to the point in a room that is furthest away from the door but not in line with the exit. In a room, you should aim for a clear, diagonal line of sight from the commanding position to the door. This is because you spend most of your time in this position and feng shui tradition dictates that your bed, desk, or stove should be placed here.
The Bagua Map
The Bagua map is a superimposition of feng shui energy onto your home’s floorplan. In Chinese, Bagua means “eight areas” and refers to a person’s wealth, fame, family, partnership, children, knowledge, helpful people, and career. The ninth area of a Bagua map is the central point of your life, which is a representation of your holistic wellbeing. To improve your Bagua, you should focus on developing one aspect of your life at a time, as opposed to working on all the areas simultaneously.
The Five Elements
There are five core elements intertwined with the practice of feng shui: earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. These are Taoist elements, and the practice of feng shui is said to bring balance to these aspects within your home. For example, if you look at your Bagua map, you might want to improve your well-being by working on the flow of your bedroom. This would be directly related to the earth principle of feng shui, as it’s the place in your home that you go to rejuvenate your spirit. Therefore, you might opt for earthy tones and clay pottery to decorate your bedroom, as it will bring energy to the room that allows you to work on this core principle.
The Importance of Feng Shui
When it comes to reducing the clutter in your home, feng shui is an effective strategy. It also enhances the flow of your interior space and makes your home more liveable. Selecting the right furnishings is extremely important when practicing feng shui, be it a snug sofa or a height-adjustable desk to do your work. Situ Live’s selection of bespoke furnishings can contribute to your practice of feng shui and will help you create balance and peace within your home.
