Understanding Feng Shui Elements and Bagua Map – Plus Feng Shui Decor Tips

Do you find yourself feeling discontent or dissatisfied a lot of the time? If so, there are probably numerous contributing factors, but one of those you might have not considered is the arrangement of furniture and objects within your home.

Image Source: http://fengshuiaccents.com/modern-bagua-map/

The ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui, which is now commonplace throughout the world, examines how placing furniture and objects in certain locations can have a positive or negative impact on your personal energy flow, and consequently your thoughts and actions in your daily life.

Feng Shui Elements

There are five elements in Feng Shui – fire, wood, metal, water and earth – and each of these describe essential qualities of chi (or life force energy). The relationships between the elements differ depending on the combinations involved and can have a positive or negative impact on your energy flow.

1. Fire:

Associated Colors: Red, orange, purple, pink
Direction: South
Quality: Excitement

2. Wood:

Associated Colors: Blue, green, purple
Direction: East
Quality: Progress

3. Metal:

Associated Colors: White, grey, black
Direction: West
Quality: Determination

4. Water:

Associated Colors: Black, blue, grey
Direction: North
Quality: Connectivity

5. Earth:

Associated Colors: Yellow
Direction: Central
Quality: Stability

Feng Shui Bagua Map

When it comes to deciding upon the placement of objects within a room, your first port of call is the bagua map. This divides the room into nine sections based on a 3×3 grid and depends on the location of a point of entry to a room.

For instance, if the entrance is to the left of the room, any objects within that segment should be blue, black or green in colour and correspond with the elements of wood or water. Adherence to these laws of Feng Shui helps us to achieve knowledge and cultivation in our lives.

Each square on the bagua map, and corresponding section of a room, has its own qualities and life goals. Good Feng Shui starts with understanding this map, which is explained in the infographic below from Chic Furniture and Gift (https://www.chicfurnitureandgift.co.uk/).

There are also some good tips contained for practicing Feng Shui in your home, so take a look and see how a few ornamental changes could lead to a significantly enhanced energy flow in your life.

Top 10 Tips to Achieve Good Feng Shui In Your Home

Balancing the energy in your home can take some work, but it is well worth it in the end. If you are unfamiliar with the concept of Feng Shui, it is a Chinese tradition of decorating and structuring a home for optimal flow and organization. Here are ten tips to maximize the flow and organization of your home.

1.   Declutter

Too much clutter is stressful, even for the most adaptable person. If you harbor much anxiety at all, clutter can exacerbate the problem.

Cut down on clutter to minimize your stress and anxiety. If you want to keep things that you have no room to display, consider storing things and changing them with the seasons to move things around now and then.

If you do not have room for them and cannot store them, you need to reconsider their efficacy in your life. Grandma would not want her chair to cause you stress.

2.   Remove Negativity

Now, if it were that easy to remove negativity, people would never have it in their lives. However, we sometimes invite negativity in the things we hold on to, do, or read.

If your home is attracting negativity, take a look at the things that you have on display. Do they remind you of negative times, places, or events? If so, remove them from your home and replace them with more inviting items.

3.   Increase Natural Resources in Your Home

Natural light, air purification, and mood enhancers can help more than artificial sources. Use open windows or light-colored curtains, plants, and animals to create a more peaceful space.

A fishbowl placed on a countertop can help reduce stress while also providing a small companion. The light from the sun can help combat Seasonal Affective Disorder as well. Use these natural elements to help create better spaces.

4.   Invite Positivity to Come Inside

Make the entrance to your home positive. You will feel better upon entering and can help guests to feel good as well.

Negative spaces at the door will set the tone for the entire home. Bring the energy you want inside and leave the negative out.

Be sure that the doorway is in excellent condition as well. This space represents the wealth of the home in Chinese culture, so it should be in pristine condition. Repair any loose knobs or floor tiles to increase the positivity in your entryway.

5.   Arrange Furniture Naturally

If your furniture is blocking your regular paths or the flow of your home, you will be frustrated and uncomfortable inviting in negative chi.

Set your furniture up so that it functions properly in your space and make sure that it is not blocking your pathways. Do not overcrowd areas either. A clear path is no good if the rest of the room is stressful.

6.   Water Flow Should Be Intentional

Aquariums, koi ponds, and fountains can be wonderful additions to the inside or outside of your home. Consider adding them where you want to increase the energy of a space. However, make sure that faucets and water sources are well maintained.

Drippy, leaky sinks will decrease positive energy quickly. The dripping sound may also be a distraction for many members of your household. Many leaks in faucets are relatively simple to repair. Pull out the tool bag and get to work.

7.   Close Toilets, Doors, or Shower Curtains

The bathroom door being open can invite negative energies. The bathroom is for private business, and it can induce stress if you feel exposed.

Closing the toilet is also a good idea. While the bowl may be clean, it denotes a private act and can make others feel uncomfortable.

Shower curtains can prevent the same types of feelings. Shower curtains will also dry better if they are not bunched up. This simple act will prevent mold and mildew from forming between folds.

8.   Consider Your Dining Space

Many cultures are very particular about their food traditions. Many important family gatherings are connected to food, including weddings, birthdays, and even funerals.

People want to provide food and nourishment to those ailing and savor food for celebrations. Creating a well thought out dining space can provide welcoming energy into this location.

Mirrors and flowers can create the balance of energy and calm that the room needs. Mirrors are sources of energy, but flowers can use color and light to provide a relaxing balance to the energy of a well-placed mirror.

9.   Rearrange Your Furniture

You do not want to simply create paths of movement, but you also want to ensure that your furniture is arranged to attract the energy and authority that you want. For instance, you need to position your desk/chair in a commanding position.

A commanding position means that you are not facing a door, and you are not in a direct line of the door. Position your desk so that you can clearly see the door and are in command of the room.

10. Clean Your Windows

Your windows need to be clear and free of debris. Clean them regularly so that the natural light is not blocked, and you can allow positive energy to flow in from the outside.

Dirt and grime can increase negative energy, and this negativity can be worse with windows designed to promote positivity in a room. You begin blocking the positive flow with dirty windows. This step only requires a quality cleaner and cloths for wiping!

Feng Shui Decor Tips – Is Your Home Lucky or Unlucky for You?

Whether you’re a believer or not, you can’t deny Feng shui is intriguing. It claims that the placement of objects in your space has an influence on your life.

It’s an art of creating balancing and harmonising energies in a space. Though it’s classified as pseudoscience, it remains relevant as ever.

Is there really an invisible force binding the universe, earth and humanity together? Maybe. Should you indulge in something that gives you a chance to redecorate? Most definitely.

Everyone has different expectations and desires from life. For some, the ultimate goal could be finding their one true love, while others might wish for a successful career.

It’s believed that Feng shui attracts wealth, love, good health and more. Even if you think it’s a mere sham, these decor tips will make your house chic at the very least.

In this post, we’re presenting culturally diverse decor tips to infuse luck into your home. Let’s begin!

1. Fish

Fish is a symbol of happiness, wealth and prosperity. There are a number of ways you can incorporate fish in your home decor. Decorating with a fish statue is easy and low-maintenance, while you can take it up a notch with an aquarium.

Particularly in Feng shui, a koi pond in regarded as a powerful element for good fortune. If installing a koi point isn’t in your budget or you don’t have the space for it, there’s no harm in decorating with a koi artwork.

2. Mushroom

Specifically in German culture, mushrooms are believed to bring good luck. Apart from that, it’s a lovely way to add some character to your interiors.

You can head over to Etsy to find unique handcrafted mushroom decor items. You may also hang up a mushroom tapestry or a painting.

3. Bonsai

There aren’t many things as fascinating as a Bonsai tree. It’s a fully grown tree but in a miniature form! Besides being a delightful addition, Bonsai can help create a positive living space.

But that being said, you also have to trust your own intuition while considering adding a Bonsai to your home. They require proper care and maintenance.

You can find a wide variety of Bonsai trees and more information over on Kaizen Bonsai.

4. Declutter

A lot of Feng shui practices aren’t necessary exacting and are left open to interpretation. But clutter is one thing Feng shui is precise about. A messy space implies a messy mind.

So, put on your sorting hat and sort out all the clutter. It’s easy and doesn’t require you to go out of your way. It will help you think clearly and focus better.

5. Water feature

Water has been associated with wealth in many cultures. In Feng shui, water is regarded as a bearer of good fortune and wealth. So if you want to make money moves or simply need a calming element in your house, get a water feature.

You may get a full-sized fountain for your garden or a compact water feature for your living room. However, avoid placing a water feature in your bedroom.

6. Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatchers are delicately woven wall hangings traditionally hung over a bed. It’s believed that it allows good dreams to pass through and dissuade bad dreams.

While this claim is debatable, there’s no argument that a dreamcatcher is such a lovely and affordable decor item. You can easily DIY dreamcatchers.

7. Fresh flowers

Fresh flowers instantly bring joy into any space. According to Feng shui, fresh flowers symbolise good fortune and bring in optimism into a space. While selecting flowers, make sure you don’t pick ones with thorny stems and replace them as soon as they start wilting.

8. Elephants

It’s time to address the elephant in the room- Elephants. They are one of the most popular decor items when it comes to bringing in good luck. They also symbolise strength, wisdom and loyalty. And apart from that, they’re pretty darn cute.

From elephant ornaments to cushions, there are several ways to add this to your interiors.

9. Mirrors

Mirrors play a key role in bringing in light into a room and making it appear airy. Not only this, correctly placed mirrors fill your house with optimism and fortune. For the best effect, place a mirror in such a way that it reflects a beautiful view.

10. Bamboo

A lot of cultures believe bamboo is a symbol of good luck and peace. You can place bamboo plants or elements in your living room or workspace for positive mood and improved productivity.

11. Crystals

Crystals have been around forever. Even if you are dismissive of their power, you have to agree that they possess unmatched aesthetic appeal. Crystals like rose quartz bring love while amethyst attracts wealth.

12. Artwork Feng shui

The way you place your artwork impacts your surrounding energy. Put up things that bring you joy, instead of dark, depressing artwork. Also, replace single ornate objects with pairs. The things that surround you seep into your psyche. Therefore, you need to get uplifting artwork.

13. Buddha

If you’ve been feeling all over the place, a Buddha statue can help centre you. It lends a calming ambience, attracts positive energy and repels negative vibes.

14. Incense

Have you noticed how yoga classes almost always burn incense? This is because incense stimulates a relaxing and calming ambience. It can also give you clarity.

15. Fresh fruit

A nutritious way to attract wealth- fruits! Yes, you read that right. Fruits, citrus fruits in particular, propagate positive energy and wade off bad luck. It’s also believed that a bowl of fruit can improve fertility and enhance sexual health.

16. Circular arrangement

According to Feng shui, arranging your furniture in a circular layout improves the flow of energy and attracts positivity.

17. Favourite colours

Similar to #12, your home decor should comprise of your favourite colours. Incorporating the colours that you associate with happiness and positivity will attract these energies.

18. Jade plant

Jade plants are considered auspicious in many cultures. A symbol of wealth, prosperity, growth and renewal, jade plants are an affordable and accessible way to enhance your home’s positive energy.