Want to ring in Chinese New Year on an auspicious note? These handy feng shui tips on how to decorate your home will surely do the trick
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 some handy feng shui dos and don’ts.
DO add some colour
In feng shui, the right use of colours can do wonders in bringing luck, wealth, good health, and even romance into your home. 2018 is the year of the Earth dog, and the earth element is a very grounding one. Decorating your home in earthy shades of yellow, brown, beige and sand are said to bring a calm atmosphere and stability. It’s a huge relief for those of us who love our neutral shades. Deck out your living room (the heart of the home) in colours of the earth element – repaint your walls or incorporate accents of taupe throws, sandy coloured rugs, light yellow cushions or ceramic pots.
DO experiment with crystals
Crystals may be having their moment but these gemstone badboys have always been the best way to bring the earth element into your home. Pop a handful of rose quartz crystals into a ceramic bowl on your coffee table, hang bespoke crystal wall hangings by your window or use mineral crystal coasters when serving drinks to guests. Do some thorough research or seek advice from feng shui experts on the placement of crystals, and types to specifically use according to the bagua, or energy map of your home.
DO bring nature into your home
Nature plays a very important part in feng shui as it brings life and vibrant qi into your home. You can’t go wrong with a money plant placed near the door to bring wealth into the home, but if you’ve a knack for killing greens, the lucky bamboo plant is easy to care for.
Add lush house plants with soft round leaves like a jade plant or philodendron and lucky flowers such as orchids and peonies. Another tip is to incorporate objects and colours related to the Earth element related such as terracotta, wood or even paintings depicting nature around your home.
DO clean up your mess
Slobs, take note: it’s never okay to live like a slob 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
Feng shui experts usually recommend adding water elements to your home (water is an ancient symbol of abundance and prosperity). But for 2018, remember: moderation is key. Since it is the year of the Earth dog, it’s best to use it wisely as it can weaken the earth element, causing discord and disharmony in your home.