What Is Feng Shui? A Guide to Creating Good Energy in Your Home

The interior and exterior entry should also be well lit (get some bright bulbs on a dimmer!) and the door number should be clean, hung straight, and easily visible. Auspicious opportunities need clear signage to find you!

Want To Use Feng Shui At Home? Start With These Top Do’s and Don’ts

Anjie Cho is an architect, feng shui educator and author of Holistic Spaces: 108 Ways to Create a Mindful and Peaceful Home. She is a New York State registered architect, a graduate in Architecture from the College of Environmental Design at the University of California at Berkeley, LEED Accredited Professional, and certified feng shui consultant from the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program.

Curious about how to use feng shui to feel more relaxed, creative, and joyful at home? As an architect and feng shui educator, this is what I think about day in and day out. Here are my top dos and don’ts for using the ancient art of feng shui to optimize your home:

What is feng shui?

Feng shui teaches us how to achieve harmony with our environment.

Feng shui is all about designing the details of your environment to help you feel happier and better supported in your life. In practice, feng shui can look like painting your bedroom a soothing color to promote relaxation or clearing out dead houseplants to remove stagnant energy in your space. It’s about creating an outward environment that reflects how you want to feel within.

The words “feng shui” are Chinese and translate to “wind” and “water.” Wind is our breath, and humans are almost 60 percent water. Wind and water are vital elements for life, as is feng shui!

Historically, feng shui has roots in Taoism and Buddhism. However, elements of it are palpable in every culture across time. For instance, these days we can all feel the difference between a New York City apartment and a quiet, hidden cabin in the forest, and we understand that our surroundings greatly affect our energy.

How to feng shui your home

Place your bed, desk, and stove in a command position

One of the most effective and fundamental principles in feng shui is called the “commanding position,” and it basically means that certain objects should be facing the entry door.

The most important objects to place in the command position are the bed, desk, and stove (read more about how to maximize the feng shui in your kitchen here).

The main door to the room or space is called the “mouth of chi,” and it’s thought to be the portal through which energy comes into your home and life. When you are cooking at the stove (or sleeping in bed, or sitting at a desk in your office), it’s best if you can see the door but not be directly in line with it. It’s best to be diagonal from the door, while still facing it.

Understandably, this is not always possible, so you can make adjustments like placing a mirror such that you can see the door in the reflection while cooking at the stove (or sleeping in bed, or sitting at your desk). Here’s a more in-depth primer on how to position your bed according to feng shui.

What is “chi”?

In Chinese culture, qi (or chi) is the energy of the universe that flows through all living things. Here is a complete primer on chi energy and how to work with it.

Pay special attention to your entryway

Your entry and front door represent the way you face the outside. It’s how the world sees you, like a first impression, so be sure to keep the area clean and clutter-free.

This does not mean the entry must be completely empty; rather it’s about keeping only what you need there. So if it’s winter, it makes sense to hang your scarf, hat, and coat.

The interior and exterior entry should also be well lit (get some bright bulbs on a dimmer!) and the door number should be clean, hung straight, and easily visible. Auspicious opportunities need clear signage to find you!

In addition, I often recommend putting down a nice black rectangular welcome mat to attract good energy. And while you’re at it, check out these feng shui tips for your garden, too.

“Activate” your front door

The front door is literally and metaphorically where energy enters your home, and it can be an incredible auspicious area.

To activate its lucky energy, wait until an auspicious day like your birthday or a new moon. Between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (the most yang hours of the day), write a list of nine wishes for yourself using a newly purchased black pen on a sheet of red paper.

Read your list out loud, and then with respect, mindfully sign the list. Carefully fold the sheet and place it in a red envelope. Securely position your intentions and aspirations above the front door, on the inside of your home.

Now, every time you walk through your front door, you are invoking the energy of these wishes so they may manifest in your life. (Note: You can also use this for your bedroom door if you live with roommates!)

Pay special attention to your bed

We spend many hours sleeping in our beds, so the feng shui of our bedrooms is of the utmost importance.

First, I’d recommend putting your bed in the “commanding position” so it’s facing the door to your room. You don’t want the door to be behind where you sleep, as this is thought to create subconscious stress and uncertainty as you snooze. If possible, there should be at least 2 feet of walking space on the left and right side of the bed, with the headboard against the wall. Yes, you do need a headboard! A solid headboard without bars or holes, fastened securely to the bed, creates stability and harmony.

It’s also important to have space available on both sides of the bed. This means that you’ve made space for your partner (or future partner). Believe me: Nobody likes to sleep on the wall side! This also allows for a nightstand on each side of the bed. The nightstands do not have to match; however, it’s better if they are similar in size.

Finally, take some time to make your bed every morning and thank it for supporting you every night. It’s a beautiful way to start your day with a little bit of order and peace. That energy can resonate throughout the whole day until your bed welcomes you back to sleep at night.

Use a bagua map

The bagua map in feng shui divides our space into nine areas that each have its own focus. Ideally you can use this map to plan what furnishings you put where (for instance, you can position your office to be in the Wealth and Prosperity area).

Or if you rent, live in a small space, or just don’t feel like moving furniture around, you can also work with your existing layout. Place a few family photos in the Love and Marriage area, for instance, or put some books in the Knowledge and Self-Cultivation area. These small touches can enhance the energy of that zone.

Choose your colors based on the 5 elements

The use of color in feng shui relates to the five elements of earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. The five elements are found in nature and are used to bring in energy to create balance. So if there’s an elemental energy that you require a bit more of, you can add that color to your space with paint, accessories, or even clothing.

• Earth element: If you’re lacking self-care and stability, add more of the earth element. The colors for earth include earthy tones of yellow, orange, and brown. A dark-brown wood headboard can be used to ground your relationship.
• Metal element: The metal element (grays, whites, off-whites, and metallic tones) can provide more clarity and precision, and a silver metal frame for your vision board can help direct and expedite your goals.
• Water element: If you’d like to invite more flow or wisdom into your spaces, accents of black call upon the element of water. Try sitting in a black or dark blue chair when you study.
• Wood element: Wood energy can help to kick-start new beginnings and bring life energy into a space, and teal pillows on your sofa can bring life to the party when you entertain.
• Fire element: Finally, the red color of fire energy is magnetizing and can illuminate you when you need more passion or recognition. My favorite way to bring in fire energy is with fresh red flowers.

Feng shui mistakes

Block doors

As previously mentioned, doors are super important in feng shui as they are portals for energy. Take a close look at each door in your home to see if there are any that cannot open a minimum of 90 degrees due to surrounding clutter or furniture.

When doors cannot open, it means that the positive energy coming into your life is being compressed and your full potential is not available to you. It also affects how you experience your life path (literally and metaphorically) and can leave you cramped and pinched rather than expansive and spacious.

Finally, doors also represent your voice in the world, so a blocked door can mean that your voice cannot fully be heard or communicated.

Leave out broken objects

Broken objects at home can become obstacles in your life and cause stress that holds you back. That broken doorbell that you keep meaning to repair may block you from receiving a visit from something or someone amazing. Dead or dying plants are also a no-no in feng shui.

Overstuff your closets

Many of us have those “I’ll fit into them someday” jeans from high school, but letting go of the clothing that we don’t need will give our brains a cue to also let go of other unnecessary things (like harmful people or unnecessary stress).

When we have a full closet, we give the universe the message that our lives are complete and we don’t need anything else. It’s astounding what clearing a little space in your closet can do to invite magic into your life.

Neglect any objects or areas

If there are areas or objects in your home that are collecting dust, it may symbolize areas of your life that are stagnant and ignored. If you don’t need that object, maybe it’s time to donate it. And if there’s a room you haven’t stepped foot in, maybe it’s time to peek inside.

It can be as simple as taking the time to move things around to stir up some good energy.

Let your windows get too dirty

In feng shui, windows represent the eyes of the inhabitants in the home. When we have dirty windows, we can’t see the world around us clearly and can get caught up in our perceptions. Take some time to clean windows regularly and then see how much light and joy come into your life.

Hang your artwork too low

Believe it or not, when someone has issues with sadness or low energy, I often notice that their artwork, photographs, and mirrors are hung low on their walls. The low artwork can bring down your chi. (Note: Even a bed that’s very low to the ground can bring down your mood).

It’s also good to fasten frames in two places so the art isn’t crooked.

Store things under your bed

I know many of us could use extra storage, but under the bed is not the place for it! In feng shui, it’s best to have the air flowing all around you while you’re sleeping, so it’s a big no-no to have objects under the bed—especially sharp, dangerous items.

Other items to watch out for are shoes, books, or anything associated with very active energy. If you have mementos from past relationships stored under there, it may mean that relationship is holding you back. If you must store something under the bed, make it something soft, like extra linens and pillows.

The takeaway

You might be surprised by how much these simple feng shui tweaks and tricks can help you achieve a more mindful home that allows you to slow down and notice the beauty of the present moment.

Anjie Cho is an architect, feng shui educator and author of Holistic Spaces: 108 Ways to Create a Mindful and Peaceful Home. Cho is a New York State registered architect, a graduate in Architecture from the College of Environmental Design at the University of California at Berkeley, LEED Accredited Professional, and certified feng shui consultant from the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program. Since 1999, she has been designing beautiful and nourishing spaces (inner and outer) with balance and harmony, informed by the ancient practice of feng shui. Her focus is to create nurturing and supportive environments, tailoring her practice to each individual’s specific needs.

Cho is a sought-after expert in the fields of feng shui and interior architecture. She is the owner of Anjie Cho Architect, co-founder of the Mindful Design Feng Shui School, and founder of Holistic Spaces which hosts a blog, podcast and online store. She is also an assistant teacher of dharma arts and meditation in the Shambhala Buddhist lineage. Cho is a regular blog contributor to MindBodyGreen and has been featured in dozens of publications including: the New York Times, Domino Magazine and BuzzFeed.

What Is Feng Shui? A Guide to Creating Good Energy in Your Home

Have you ever noticed how people use architectural or home terms to describe the problems in their lives? I’m running into a brick wall. I’m so drained all the time. I feel like I’m backed into a corner.

“How we discuss our lives is often very easily described with words that correspond directly to our environment,” says Karen Rauch Carter, a professional feng shui consultant and the author of Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life in Naples, Florida.

Your perception of your environment can determine how you think and behave in life, says Carter. And that’s where feng shui comes in, as a tool to help you design a space that makes you feel good, powerful, and supported in your health and wellness goals.

Rooted in ancient Chinese culture, specifically in Taoism, feng shui is the arrangement of buildings and objects and the organization of space within a room to create harmony and balance, according to the National Geographic Society.

While balance and energy flow or life force (known as “chi” or “qi”) are important in today’s feng shui practices, a more modern interpretation of the approach is the use of items, color, or placement to reprogram your subconscious to align with a healthier mindset, says Laura Cerrano, a Manhattan-based certified feng shui consultant. “The exterior of the home or work environment influences the interior of the person,” Cerrano says.

So whether you spend time at home, need to set up multiuse spaces (like a bedroom-office or TV room–gym), or are simply trying to bring positive energy and create healthy spaces where you can practice self-care, read on to learn more about using the guiding principles of feng shui to create a mindful and peaceful home that you can truly feel good in.

What Are the Main Principles of Feng Shui?

“Feng shui speaks in metaphors,” says Cerrano — and, when learning about feng shui, you’ll likely come across many of these phrases and symbols. Think of this as a beginner’s introduction to these concepts that, ideally, help you achieve harmony.

Yin and Yang Energies

This refers to the Chinese philosophy that everything is composed of opposite and complementary energies — for example, feminine and masculine, dark and light, or cold and warm, according to World History Encyclopedia.

You need both in a room to create balance.

The 5 Elements

Wood, fire, earth, metal, and water are the basic energetic categories in feng shui, per National Geographic Society. Each element affects how you feel in the space; objects and room features can belong to one or more elemental categories. For example, when decorating with the wood element, which represents growth and is associated with wealth, you may opt to use wood furniture or living plants; when decorating with the earth element, which represents stability and is associated with relationships, you may use earthy tones, like yellows and browns.

The Bagua Map

“Bagua” means “eight areas” in Mandarin. (For practical purposes, feng shui practitioners will usually divide the room into nine areas, says Cerrano.) Experts superimpose the grid-like bagua map, or compass, over a floor plan or room in your home as a guide for setting up your space. Every area corresponds to certain human life experiences, such as career, health, and family, as well as shapes, elements, and colors to focus on within each.

Colors

The bagua map can help you determine what colors to bring into a space. For example, says Cerrano, the “Wealth and Abundance” area of your home (perhaps your home office?) could include purple, greens, and some blues, as these colors are traditionally linked with the energy of prosperity.

The Commanding Position

This is one of the more basic principles. You can use this to decide where to put your desk, bed, or chairs in a room. Cerrano says your desk should have a clear view of the doorway that leads into the room if possible. Having a wall free of furniture and directly behind you while you’re working is another plus. “This wall represents a mountain to support your back and give you confidence as you’re making decisions in business,” she says.

Mirrors

You can hang mirrors strategically when you might not otherwise be able to follow feng shui principles. For example, says Cerrano, if you must set up your desk with your back to the doorway, you can use a mirror that provides a view behind you, so you can “watch your back.”

There are certain places where you may not want to place a mirror. “Mirrors equal water, so watch where they’re placed,” adds Carter. For instance, a mirror above your bed or hung above nose level is not appropriate, because you want to “keep your head above water”; this metaphor refers to avoiding debt or losing money on your home. Poor mirror placement may also make it feel more difficult to get up in the morning.

That said, expert advice on mirror placement may differ from person to person.

Common Questions and Answers

Feng shui literally means “the way of wind and water”: “feng” means “wind” and “shui” means “water.” Feng shui can refer to the art of placing items within a room, but you can also say, “It’s good feng shui to …,” meaning it creates a good environment to arrange or place items in your home in a certain way.

What are the theoretical health benefits of feng shui?

According to feng shui experts, feng shui can help you create a space you feel good in, and the peace of mind or feeling of order that may result can support psychological wellness. Research is needed to evaluate any claimed health benefits.

The five elements in feng shui are wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Balance among these elements is said to improve the energy and harmony of a room.

Place your bed in a commanding position. You should be able to see the doorway when you’re in the bed, though not be directly in line with it. Make sure that you use a headboard, which will provide a sense of support, ideally on a wall and not directly underneath windows.

The bagua map describes the “eight areas.” (There are actually nine areas, as the map is divided into nine squares.) Feng shui experts may superimpose the grid-like map over a floor plan or room in your home to serve as a compass, or guide, for setting up your space. Each area corresponds to certain life experiences, such as career, health, and family, as well as shapes, elements, and colors to focus on within each.

What Are the Purported Benefits of Feng Shui?

“People think they are immune to their environment,” says Carter. “That is not true.”

Feng shui is a form of self-help, she continues. “This isn’t about fixing your house,” she says; rather, it’s about setting up your home to encourage the life you want to have. If you sit with your back to a door, you might not feel safe in that space. The idea is that by changing the way you perceive your environment, you can also change how you think and behave in it.

Ultimately, this can help you align your thoughts and actions in healthier ways, Cerrano says. Transforming the energy in the room can thus shift or turn around your internal energy force, help you look at life differently, and bring benefits like feelings of safety, calm, peace, support, and more power or control in your life.

“Home should be a recharge. It should be a place where you come in and feel embraced,” says Cerrano. People who follow the principles of feng shui attest to creating this welcoming energy in their home, and this in turn is thought to support their emotional wellness. Overall, the goal of feng shui is to design an environment that promotes psychological well-being, notes past research.

Is There Any Published Research on the Health Benefits of Feng Shui?

In short, no. A few studies have been done that loosely relate healthcare settings (and thus health) and feng shui.

One study found that a healthcare waiting room designed by a feng shui expert was rated more comfortable than one set up by a doctor or in a conventional design.

Researchers have conducted studies on environmental psychology (how people’s environment and surroundings affect their behavior, thoughts, and actions, and potentially health), but more studies are needed. Feng shui and environmental psychology share some principles, including that people can have control over their environment.

But the claims and principles of feng shui have not been applied to classic research models, and in those studies where the practice has been analyzed, researchers have questioned the papers’ scientific integrity.

What Are the Limitations of Feng Shui?

While many people are surprised by the effect that feng shui has on their lives, it’s not a magic wand for the troubles or stressors in your life, says Cerrano: “There are many layers to a healing process. Feng shui can be one of those, but I describe it as a door opener.”

In other words, the practice can give you a new perspective on your life or help you see a problem through a new lens, but it’s not a total solution. You’ll likely have to put in effort to change your behavior, habits, or choices — it’s unlikely that implementing feng shui principles alone will change your life.

How to Practice Feng Shui in Different Parts of Your Home

Feng shui has many principles, and it can be tough to understand how to apply them to your existing space (and the furniture and items within it). You might also be unsure whether it’s okay to “break” some rules. An expert in feng shui can offer you valuable guidance. You can search for one in your area via Google and look for their certification credentials. These should be listed on their website, or you can ask about the person’s experience and expertise while inquiring about a consultation.

That said, here’s how to begin applying the principles of feng shui in certain rooms to create a peaceful home with good energy flow. When used in these ways, feng shui can become a mindful form of self care.

Bedroom

“The bedroom has two functions: sleep, and passion or relationship building,” says Carter. To that end, remove workout equipment, ironing boards, and hobby gear (like sewing kits or musical instruments) from your bedroom. Plus, adds Carter, “No one’s eyes should be in the room, other than those of the people sleeping there.” Take anything that could represent an eye (such as a sculpture, or photos of your family) out of the room to apply the principles of feng shui to your bedroom.

Also, put your bed in a commanding position, meaning you should be able to see the bedroom door, though the bed should be placed directly in front of it. Make sure you have a solid headboard for proper support. If you live with a partner, two matching nightstands, each with a lamp, indicates that two people live there, says Carter.

Living Room

A position facing a door or entryway is considered empowering (or commanding), and you should arrange furniture in this position, advises Carter. That means placing chairs so that their (and your) back is against a solid wall, not floating in the middle of a room. “You should be able to see who’s coming in, but you should not be directly in line with the doorway,” she says.

Kitchen

Removing clutter is important in feng shui, and that applies to any room in your home. The kitchen is a good place to begin. Start by clearing expired or unused items out of your pantry and refrigerator, and get rid of single-use appliances and tools that you never cook with. “Space equals opportunity,” says Carter. By getting rid of things, you clear the way for other things to come into your life.

Bathroom

If your bathroom shares a wall with your bed’s headboard, place a mirror on that bathroom wall, facing outward, to “push out” the “down the drain” energy created by the plumbing, says Carter. Within the bathroom itself, make sure it’s a place that feels relaxing and nice to be in, adds Cerrano. You can do this in any way you see fit, whether that’s with plush towels, a nice candle, or a relaxing paint color.

Home Office

First, try to place your desk in a commanding position. Then, take a look at the things you have hanging on the walls. If there are water features in any of the art or pictures, and the water line is higher than your nose, you may feel as if you’re “underwater,” says Carter — drowning among your responsibilities, or chaotic and disorganized. “Place water images in the way they’re found in nature. We don’t normally live lower than water,” she says, suggesting that you rehang them lower than level with your nose.