What is Feng Shui?

 

The Chinese art or practice of positioning objects, especially furniture, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the balance or flow of Chi that have positive and negative effects. Clean, clutter free, good quality air and good quality light are the minimum of good Feng Shui basics for any living space within the home.

 

Feng Shui Tips:

 

1. Front Door

 

In Feng Shui, the house gets its Chi or energy nourishment through the front door, so the stronger, healthier and more balanced the front door is, the stronger and better the quality of energy available for those who live in the house.

 

The front door is the single most important factor that will determine how prosperous the occupants will be;

• An unobstructed, open flow of energy to the front door – this means there are no recycling bins, cracked old pots with dead plants or any other items blocking the flow of Feng Shui energy to your front door. Remove ALL shoes lying around the front entrance and make it free and clear

• A front door that is in harmony with the Feng Shui element of its direction – the direction of the front door is very important in Feng Shui, so in order to harness the best energy it is advisable to choose a Feng Shui colour that is in harmony with the Geng Shui element of its direction

• A strong Feng Shui front door opens up to a smooth flow of energy in the main entry – the efforts of attracting the best Feng Shui energy to your house will be wasted if your main entry does not have good Feng Shui. You need to channel the good Feng Shui energy throughout your house, and it all starts in the main entry

• A mirror facing the main door is one of the two big taboos in Feng Shui (the second one being a mirror facing a bed). Having a mirror facing the main door is not recommended because the mirror pushes away all the good Feng Shui energy that is about to enter the house

 

2. Back Door

 

It is especially important to avoid a direct alignment of the front door with the back door because all good Feng Shui energy coming through the main door will easily escape through the back door without having a chance to circulate and nourish your home.

 

• Place a round table in the direct path of energy – this will redirect the energy and slow it down. A vase of flowers on the table will further improve the energy

• Work with colour to change the relationship between doors – choose the right Feng Shui colour for the area and strengthen one door more than the other. This will change the relationship between the two aligned doors and slow down the energy

 

3. Living Room

 

As for the best Feng Shui furniture arrangement, your goal should be to provide for a clear, unobstructed flow of energy, while at the same time creating areas with warm, cosy, social and centred Feng Shui energy.

 

• Keeping the windows in your home clean and clear is a must for good Feng Shui. Treating your windows with harmonious window treatments that allow maximum natural light during the day, as well as give privacy at night, is the best Feng Shui

• The window fixtures should be made of natural materials or fabric

• Accordion folded shades might not be very good Feng Shui as they tend to create a sharper quality of energy during daytime when they are folded

• Have a clear organisation system is a must for your living room, especially if you have children, otherwise you will find yourself constantly taking care of your space

 

4. Bedrooms

 

A good Feng Shui bedroom is one that promotes a harmonious flow of nourishing and sensual energy. It is a bedroom that invites you, lures you in, excites and calms at the same time. It is fun and pleasurable to be in, whether you are there for a quick nap, a good night sleep or something else.

 

• Remove the TV, computer or exercise equipment from your bedroom – the good Feng Shui energy is destroyed when these items are present in your bedroom

• Open the windows often or use a good quality air-purifier to keep the air fresh and full of oxygen. Be mindful of the quality of air in your bedroom. You cannot have good Feng Shui if the air you breathe is stale and full of pollutants. Plants in the bedroom are not good Feng Shui, unless your bedroom is fairly large and the plants are located fat from the bed

• Have several levels of lighting in the bedroom, or use a dimmer switch to adjust the energy accordingly. Good, appropriate lighting is very important, as light is our number 1 nutrient and one of the strongest manifestations of energy. Candles are the best Feng Shui bedroom lighting, but be sure to buy candles with no toxins

• Use soothing colours to achieve a good Feng Shui balance in your bedroom. Feng Shui bedroom décor is a balanced décor that promotes the best flow of energy for restorative sleep. The best Feng Shui colours for the bedroom are the so-called “skin colours” which can vary from pale white to rich chocolate brown. Choose colours within this range that work best with your other bedroom décor

• Choose images for your bedroom wisely as images carry powerful Feng Shui energy. It is recommended that you choose images that you want to see happen in your life

• Have your bed easily approachable from both sides, with two bedside tables (one on each side). Avoid having the bed in a direct line with the door. A ‘good looking’ and well-balanced bed is very important in creating a perfect Feng Shui bedroom. A good mattress, solid headboard and high quality sheets made from natural fibres are also very important in creating harmonious Feng Shui energy

• Keep all bedroom doors closed at night, be it the wardrobe doors, the ensuite bathroom door or the bedroom door. This will allow for the best and most nourishing flow of energy to strengthen your health, as well as the health of your relationship. Keeping your bedroom wardrobe clean and organised will further create a sense of peace and calm in the bedroom.

 

5. Kitchen

 

The kitchen is the Feng Shui part of the home that nourishes and sustains life. Feng Shui-wise, it is the most important part of the home. It is also a Feng Shui symbol of wealth and prosperity, thus, for good Feng Shui, it is best not to have the kitchen close to the front door or back door, where the Feng Shui energy can easily escape.

 

• The kitchen should have several levels of proper lighting, be airy and spacious, clean, bright and welcoming

• For good Feng Shui, keep the kitchen simple and do not overload it with gadgets

• Keep the clutter at bay

• Fresh flowers bring beautiful uplifting energy to the kitchen. Place a bowl of fruit, a vase of flowers, or a living plant on the kitchen table, windowsill or wherever the layout of your kitchen allows

• Choose colours that blend well and feed good together. Feng Shui-wise, the colour yellow is a good choice for the kitchen, as it is good for digestion. This can be as light as ‘butter yellow’ or as vibrant and strong as ‘squash yellow’

 

6. Bathrooms

 

• To take care of the escaping Chi, keep the toilet lid closed and make a habit of popping the drains closed when you get out of the bathtub

• Create ambience by installing a dimmer light

• Have matching towels to create comfort

 

7. Children’s Rooms

 

• Young energy is expansive and vibrant. It needs an abundance of free, open space in order to thrive. Feng Shui can help promote harmonious growth, while avoiding cluttered, busy and chaotic energy that can easily take over children’s rooms.

• Open the windows often to allow fresh air into the rooms

• Clear clutter keep the room organised

 

8. Gardens

 

• Keep it clean and lush. Invest in landscaping and remove all garden clutter

• Invest in tall plants if it is a small home, have vases with flowers, outdoor lighting

 

 

Dont Forget to:

 

• Have pleasant smells throughout the house, whether it be scented candles or fresh flowers – this will attract good energy

• Have the majority of the windows open as often as possible to let the natural light in and allow a strong breeze of fresh air

• Keep drains and toilet lids closed

• Remove clutter, both inside and out

• Create a mood with lighting such as dimming switches, lamps and candles

 

Did You Know?

 

The number ‘4’ is an unlucky number in Chinese culture as it sounds like “death” in Chinese. Unfortunately homes with the number 4 are not popular in the Asian market.

 

 

Chinese buyers tend to differ in their buying needs and requirements due to their culture and ethnicity.

 

• Chinese buyers like full-brick homes (as opposed to brick veneer, weatherboard or fibro – unless they plan to knock it down)

• They like rectangular-shaped land

• They generally would prefer not to have a swimming pool. Swimming is not a big part of the Chinese upbringing and many Chinese-born children don’t know how to swim. Therefore a swimming pool is seen to be more a danger and a chore than a source of pleasure

• They like level and clear land with not too many trees (especially protected species such as gum trees, which are not always possible to remove)

• They like low-maintenance properties (e.g. a paved backyard as opposed to cottage-style garden)

• They prefer high side of the street and generally dislike properties that have an entrance below street level

• They have a preference for newer properties and less of an appreciation for older-style features such as an ornate ceiling or picture rails, etc. Therefore, a heritage-listed property usually does not appeal to Chinese buyers

• Position is important, and many Chinese buyers will not want to purchase properties that are at a T-junction, for example

• Aspect is also important, and Chinese buyers typically prefer morning sun rather than afternoon sun