The ancient Chinese spatial laws of feng shui have gained popularity. To someone without the knowledge, feng shui can be an esoteric concept, but with a little effort and research, you can turn your home into a positive space enriched with balance and harmony. Living in a city that's naturally green can complement this design philosophy even better. For example, Pittsburg, PA, is known to have the most trees in America. This oxygen-rich environment, coupled with a continental climate, is perfect for embracing feng shui.
Here are some feng shui tips that can improve the atmosphere and energy of your home:
1. Maximize natural light and air
It is a known fact that sunlight energizes us and makes us happy. Natural light also brightens our dwellings in an appealing way, where all the colors and different surfaces are rendered vibrantly. Metaphorically speaking, clean windows can help you see the world around you with the most color, clarity, and accuracy. Airiness can make your spaces feel light and breezy and have a sense of freedom.
As a rule, your windows should remain in top shape and order. Wind speeds in Pittsburgh blow at an average of 9 mph, which may not be very high compared to other cities, but the extremely cold winters and humid summers can damage the windows considerably. Get in touch with an expert remodeler in Pittsburgh to upgrade your windows and make better use of them.
2. Balance the five elements
The five basic elemental energetic categories - earth, wood, fire, water, and metal - can be present in your home, literally or figuratively. For example, a warm earthly tone can be used as a color palette, but an actual plant can also represent earth and wood. The main thing is to create a balance between all these elements. Wood can represent passion and transformation; fire can represent personal growth and renewal; earth can represent safety and comfort; metal can represent mental strength and intellectual abilities; and water can represent low money and career.
An abundance of one specific element can create chaos. You should look closely at the elements around the home because they can be the root of imbalance in your emotional life. The concept is to strike a nice balance and harmony between all five.
3. Remove obstacles in your path
Take into account the daily traffic pathways around the house. For better feng shui, pathways around the house should be smooth and clear. Blocked hallways can result in blocked chi. Over time, you can become desensitized to blockages and physical obstacles, but by mapping out your daily pathways and deeply taking your surroundings into account, you can point out the little idiosyncrasies.
Maybe there is a sticky and noisy door, a cluttered side table, a drooping fixture, a fused light bulb, and a jammed drawer. All of these things affect you even if you don't consider them, and can become bigger issues with time.
4. Plants bring life energy
In feng shui, plants embody the energy of life. They can be a great way to connect to nature and bring freshness to your surroundings. Decorating with living houseplants strengthens the energy of one particular feng shui element: wood. Most plants are great for feng shui in a space; you just have to care for them well. But plants with soft and rounded leaves are better as they promote a gentle, nourishing energy.
An important thing to consider is your living space and lighting conditions. Find an appropriate plant that suits your space.
5. Offer gratitude
The philosophy of feng shui is derived from the belief that everything is alive, including your space. So, you should offer gratitude to your home. It's a haven and your shelter. It provides a space to grow, be safe, celebrate, and nourish. The same energy (ki) that floats through a human also flows through one's home, so you should always be humble and feel grateful for your dwelling.
6. Clear away clutter
According to the feng shui philosophy, excessive clutter can obstruct the flow of energy in your home. Clutter can more than just be visually displeasing; it can hinder the clarity of thoughts and weigh you down emotionally.
Removing extra unwanted things from your home can be a great way to make space for new things in your life. Clearing away clutter demonstrates respect for your home.
7. Utilize the command position
In feng shui, the command position refers to where a piece of furniture is located in relation to the door of that space. According to the concept, you are in command of your life if you are in the commanding position, it can lead to better opportunities and positive energy. When you're lying on your bed, cooking, or working at your desk, you should be able to see the door without being directly in line with it. You want to see who's entering your private space without putting yourself in a vulnerable spot.
8. Slow down the flow of energy
One of the main concepts of the feng shui philosophy is to retain the energy flowing inside the house. When you have gotten rid of clutter, focusing on chi should be next. The energy can shoot right through your house when doors are aligned parallelly. Began with the pathways around your house; instead of moving straight through, it should prance in a graceful undulating way so that it evenly goes around your home. Round entry tables, rugs, plants, or artworks make people stop and slow down while navigating your house.
Conclusion
Feng shui changes how you conceive and look at your house; you can also change how you think and behave. It's not about design or decor; it's about being inspired by principles and ideas that can bring harmony and balance to your lifestyle. Use the ideas mentioned above to embrace this ancient way of living.