Chris Warnes
There are few better ways to unwind after a long day of hustle and bustle than in the comfort of your own home.
Even after a relaxing, exotic getaway, there’s a special kind of relief when you kick off your shoes and sink into your sofa that just doesn’t compare.
But while many of us focus on creating a home that looks good – with stylish furnishings and tasteful interiors – how a home feels is just as important. This is where many turn to Feng Shui. An ancient Chinese philosophical system, it’s believed to harmonise the environment by balancing energies. Alex Roth, Principle Architect and Feng Shui expert at Roth Architecture shares her top tips on bringing this ancient practice into your home.
First impressions
First impressions count, and in order to make a good one the entrance to your house should look fresh and inviting. Clear the pathway to create a positive energy for when you get home and for guests by removing clutter from your front entrance, both inside and out. Adding plants will create a welcoming energy that will put you at ease, and placing something cheerful either side of the doorway can make for a great first impression. A bright welcoming light is also an enticing opening to a home, so if you can’t have natural light in the hall, make sure it’s well lit.
Balance your home
Light is essential for good Feng Shui, to connect you and guests with your environment. Where natural light isn’t possible in your home, make sure that main spaces have dimmers or multiple light sources so that the light levels can be changed throughout the day or to suit the mood. Where natural light is possible, make the most of it.
Kitchen aid
The kitchen and its connected living spaces should be bright, clean and airy, making them feel as spacious as possible. Storing away any appliances you don’t need can help create clutter-free clarity for a more inviting space. Fresh fruit, a vase of flowers or a pot of herbs are perfect for the kitchen to add something living and nourishing.
Blissful bedrooms
The calm space of the bedroom needs less light than the kitchen. Make sure the bed is central, not in line with the entrance, and accessible from both sides. Candlelight in this room can help to make it calming, but beware of overly strong scents. Keep the windows open if the weather allows it, so the space is filled with fresh air. It is suggested good feng shui can help appeal to buyers when selling your home too.
Remember that Feng Shui is a personal practise; and as a beginner, simply sticking to the basics of simplicity, clarity, and light will help create an energy flow to make a house into a homely haven, abundant with good energy.
