How to Bring Feng Shui to the Garden
Many proficient gardeners often find their landscapes lacking fulfillment due to a common issue: the absence of proper feng shui. Feng shui, pronounced as "fung-shway," is the age-old practice of optimal arrangement indoors or outdoors. It involves placing objects to promote comfort, relaxation, and a sense of calm. If you’re eager to introduce feng shui into your chaotic garden, embrace some fundamental principles to create harmony within your verdant haven.
Integrate Welcoming Seating Zones
Arrange your garden furniture thoughtfully to establish cozy seating nooks that beckon you to unwind and bask in the splendor of your environment. Situate outdoor furnishings near focal points like water features or verdant foliage to amplify the soothing ambiance and foster a deeper bond with nature.
Select natural materials like wood, rattan, or bamboo to blend seamlessly with the garden's intrinsic elements. Avoid synthetic materials or metals in furniture choices to maintain a cohesive aesthetic that resonates positively with the garden's natural setting.
Round Patio
Craft lawns and garden paths using gentle, curved lines to evoke a sense of comfort amidst soft shapes. However, much of our constructions feature rigid straight lines and sharp corners, evident in structures like balconies, wooden decks, stone-paved patios, garages, parking lots, and swimming pools that predominantly adopt square forms.
Introduce softer, rounded contrasts to counter the starkness of these square and straight elements. Striking a balance between opposing forces, symbolized by yin and yang, entails harmonizing the linear with the curved, the smooth with the textured.
When mapping out a flower bed arrangement, consider playing with height differentials, light versus dark tones, and areas of shade against sunlight. This introduces dynamism that transforms the garden into an exhilarating space rather than a flat, uninspiring one. Include Washington native plants for landscaping as they add vibrancy and attract local wildlife, which is considered auspicious in feng shui.
Layout, Shapes and Flow
The shapes and topography of the land play a crucial role in feng shui. A desirable arrangement involves having your residence positioned on a gentle slope from the street, with a supportive elevation at the rear. This configuration resembles an armchair: the lower front area corresponds to the entrance, the sides are slightly elevated, and the highest point is at the rear, ideally aligning with the back of your house.
Even if the natural landscape doesn't align perfectly, you can replicate this protective form by establishing a lush barrier of tall trees behind your home or using stones to create a lasting shielding backdrop. Alternatively, a tall fence can serve a similar purpose.
Restricted Color Scheme in the Garden
A limited color palette creates a serene atmosphere compared to a varied mix that can appear chaotic. To achieve this effect, it is best to avoid complementary colors. Instead, opt for plants within the same color family but in varying tones. For a tranquil ambiance, consider incorporating shades of blue known for their calming and cool properties.
Utilizing green extensively is essential for a peaceful garden, as it exudes relaxation and comfort and comes in a wide range of hues. Additionally, including lawns, shrubs, and trees in different shapes offers the necessary shadows and structures to breathe life into your garden. While sticking to a soothing blue and green color scheme, tastefully adding accent colors can prevent the overall look from becoming monotonous.
Endnote
People often buy more than they need, creating a crowded and overwhelming space. Choose only what you need daily, as less is more in design. Ultimately, Feng Shui brings organization and enhances your garden experience.