Whether you’re an ardent believer of feng shui or a hardened cynic, there’s no denying that we could all use a helping hand from Lady Luck this coming Chinese New Year. To help you ring in the festive season on an auspicious note and bring some good vibes into your home, here are five handy feng shui do’s and don’ts. Huat ah!
Do add colour to your home
In feng shui, the right use of colours can do wonders by bringing luck, wealth, good health, and even romance into your home. So time to bring out the paint charts! Since it is the year of the Fire Monkey, deck out your living room (the heart of the home) in colours of the fire element: namely red, purple, orange or pink. These colours are said to bring passion, vibrancy, and camaraderie into your home.
Prefer a more minimalist, monochromatic approach to home décor? Instead of painting your walls, incorporate small, colourful accents into your home with throw pillows, rugs, and decorative objets d’art.
Do bring some nature into your home
New flash: nature plays a very important part in feng shui as it brings life and vibrant qi into your home. But never mind if you live in a tiny shoebox apartment – you can still incorporate elements of nature even without a garden. How? By placing plants, wooden pieces, photos and paintings depicting nature around your home.
Do clean up your mess
Slobs, take note: it’s never okay to live in a junkyard so kick your hoarding habit to the curb pronto! A rule of thumb for good feng shui is to always keep your home neat and tidy. A clutter-free living space allows qi (energy) to flow freely – resulting in good luck all year-round. Who wouldn’t want that?
Don’t forget about light
This should come as no surprise: dark and dingy homes aren’t just depressing – they’re bad for feng shui, too. Light plays an important role in balancing yin and yang for a harmonious home. If you don’t have enough windows or skylights, introduce more lighting in your home – bright lights for hallways, entrances, and outdoor areas and softer mood lighting for areas of relaxation like your bedroom.
Don’t go water-crazy
Aquaphobes, you’ll be happy with this tip. feng shui experts usually recommend adding water elements to your home (water is an ancient symbol of abundance and prosperity). But for 2016, remember: moderation is key. Since it is the year of the Fire Monkey, too much water will clash with the fire elements, causing discord and disharmony in your home.
All images: Crate & Barrel