Decorating with Feng Shui is one of the rising interior trends for 2020

2020.04.07

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This is for sure a consequence of the increasing interest in everything related to the well-being topics and in how design can help improving the well-being in our daily lives.

 

|| Learn more: Designing for Well-Being is one of the 4 Macro Trends shaping Design in 2020/2021

We decided to research more about the topic and today on IB we are giving some starting tips to decorate your home using the Feng Shui principles. We are starting today with the living room: so, if you are looking for a way to enhance your living, then perhaps this would be a good time to harness Feng Shui.

 

Decorating with Feng Shui in Pills
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The Principles of Feng Shui

Feng Shui, means literally “wind-water.” It is an ancient Chinese art that aims to use energy forces, or chi, for better harmony with the surroundings. As such, it is possible to decorate a home using Feng Shui to improve its good energy flow, while creating a well-balanced and more comfortable habitat. 

 

Although it seems that there are at least two different Feng Shui schools, the underlying principles of Feng Shui are the same. Let's try to recap them!

 

Shandi Greve Penrod / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

 

 

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Decorating with Feng Shui: Colors
 

The first principle is that the world is divided in 5 elements: water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Balancing these elements in a space will ensure harmony and consequently happiness, for each element invokes a different mood. 

Similarly, each element has its most and least favorable colors. Below is a list of the most favorable colors for the respective element.

 

Water: blue, black

Wood: green, brown

Fire: red, strong yellow, orange, purple and pink

Earth: light yellow, sand/earthy, light brown

Metal: white, gray

 

 

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Decorating with Feng Shui: Layout
 

The second principle has to do with the best orientation of a space based on the bagua. The bagua is the energy map that when laid on your floor layout drawing it will help you determine how to give a home its energy makeover. It relates each room of your home to a specific area of your life. 

 

Moreover, you can then tackle each room of your home as single entity to ensure that it is well balanced, by making sure that each element is present via a representative décor piece. For example earth is represented by ceramics as well as paintings of landscapes. Metallic décor on the other hand is endorsed by the element of metal. A fireplace or simply candles is perfect for the fire element. All the while, wooden frames and art illustrating trees and plants are the perfect candidates for the wood element.

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How to decorate home using Feng Shui
 

Decorating with Feng Shui aims to create a “happy” home by attracting and directing good energy. As such, it is of importance to rid of anything that will sap the energy, such as dirt and clutter. That applies without say for your entrance too. Anything that is broken, dying plants and things scattered here and there are all bad Feng Shui. 

 

Once you get the good energy coming in, the next step is to aid its flow around your home. Hence, furniture must be placed in such ways so that you don’t run into their backs i.e. walking in the living room and having to bump onto the back of the sofa. 

 

Furthermore, aim to create a sense of intimacy. So arrange seating in small groupings and make sure every space and corner has access to light. For example, use floor lamps when possible.

 

Mix feminine and masculine décor that you love best. A well curated selection of décor will help maintain an orderly sense. Further, note that heavy pieces should be balanced out by softer items for a more balanced effect.

 

 

 

Feng Shui Decor Trend / Shapes and Patterns

Also, circles stand for harmony and unity. Hence, that is considered a favorable pattern to adopt over lines. Think of gourd lamps and bolster as excellent examples. So it follows that when it comes to furniture, opt for ones with rounded edges with plenty of breathing room in order for the energy to flow around them. This also means that even if you place a sofa against a wall, just like Feng Shui suggests, you still need to leave a small gap between the wall and the sofa. 

 

Another thing to employ is to introduce a favorite item high i.e. large piece of artwork, tall curtains mounted near the ceiling or a tall floor lamp. It will elevate the mood, whilst it creates a sense of safety – something endorsed by good Feng Shui.

 

 

 

Feng Shui Trend / The Home Office 

If you have a home office, then you need it to be at a commanding position where you will feel in charge. Thus, place your desk where you'll be able to see the doorway, but never directly across it. Likewise, do not place your desk facing the window view or else your creative energy will go out the window – and that's bad luck. If you desperately want to take in a good view, then place your desk so that’s its short side only aligns with the window. If it's in a corner, then introducing a round element (round column or bookcase) may aid the energy flow. 

 

 

 

Decorating with Feng Shui / Other elements

Next, introduce plants. They bring a vibrant chi, as long as they are healthy while they help bounce energy back into the space. As such, placing a potted plant near a large window with no curtains is a good way to keep the energy inside the space. Screens are also quite popular for they can re-direct energy or even stop the energy from being sapped.

 

Now, mirrors belong to the element of water. Use them wisely and balance them out with wood and or ceramics (earth element). Do not place reflective surfaces such as mirrors too close and directly opposite the front door or the energy coming in will flow back out.

 

Note that slanted roofs, many overhead exposed beams and narrow, long hallways are also not very Feng Shui friendly design features. However, there are usually ways to work around them. For instance, use upward facing lights for a slanted roof or decrease the amount of exposed surface of the beams. 

 

 

source: Italian Bark

 

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