Who isn’t captivated by the idea of a beautiful garden where you can unwind after a long day with your loved ones? However, a garden can become anything but soothing if good planning and design principles are not implemented. You can avoid this by implementing feng shui, a traditional ancient practice that harmonizes space and promotes a sense of security and peace, creating a truly balanced home.
For those that are new to the concept, feng shui is all about mindful selection of materials and elements and arranging them in a way so as to improve the flow of energy in your home and ensure only good vibrations find their way in. Whether you want to try your hand at feng shui for the first time or are a seasoned gardener who needs fresh advice, this guide sums up everything you need to know to attain an outdoor zen like no other.
Understanding Feng Shui
The idea of designing a garden based on feng shui might be exciting. But it is impractical to dive directly into remodeling your garden, before first understanding what feng shui stands for and why it is practiced. Feng shui uses the balance of the following five elements to add harmony to a space:
- Wood
- Fire
- Earth
- Metal
- Water
Feng shui also considers the principles of yin and yang to achieve balance, such as between sunlit and shaded spaces. Therefore, it isn’t only about aesthetics. Instead, it covers physical, spiritual, and moral well-being by focusing positive energy on your home.
When it comes to a garden, you can select a color scheme in advance to build it around. This will allow you to craft a harmonious space that truly defines you. Popular feng shui color schemes include green, white, earthy hues, and soft blues. These colors, lush green foliage, and bright flowering plants will perfectly balance your garden space.
Adding Curvature
According to Feng Shui, straight lines harbor harsh energy. This is why this design practice comprises curved lines and smooth shapes. You can do the same by paving curved walkways through your lawn with rounded pebbles or other natural materials, like gravel. Opt for elliptical plant beds and planters with rounded edges to eliminate the bad energy associated with sharp contours and corners.
Feng Shui Plants
While minimalism is a good idea indoors, the outdoors is all about color and diverse, bright flora. Pay attention to your climate and bring home a variety of plants accordingly. Certain plants fit in perfectly with feng shui principles because of the qualities they symbolize, such as:
- Jade: Symbolizes financial prosperity
- Jasmine: Symbolizes love
- Lavender: Stands for relaxation
- Bamboo: Stands for strength
- Rosemary: Represents mental clarity
- Citrus plants: Symbolize vitality
- Peonies: Represent romance
Similarly, certain plants should be avoided because they invite negative energy. These include plants with thorns, such as cacti, and those with invasive roots or wild-growing habits, such as ivy.
Water Features
Water is crucial in feng shui principles and symbolizes abundance and growth. Features such as bowl fountains, calm ponds, and miniature waterfalls not only fit in with this design style but also enhance the beauty of your garden. Although water features can often be DIY’ed, remember that your ultimate goal is a neat, smooth look. Quick suggestion: I would prefer to look for quality feng shui landscape supplies near me and get professional help to design a water feature that is equally stylish and calming without the hassle and complexities of DIY.
The water flow and its soothing sound add a calming effect to your space, and you can further beautify it with fish, pebbles, and aquatic plants.
Add Adornments
While feng shui is all about neat, open spaces, a handful of wisely chosen adorning features will enhance your garden further. You can arrange an inviting seating area on the lawn using bamboo or rattan furniture. Place furniture near a water feature or where the greenery is lushest. Doing so boosts the connection with nature, inviting positive energy and helping with clarity of mind.
Use soft and ambient lighting at night, but only bright lights near focal points should be used to highlight them. Other adornments include wind chimes, famous for their soothing sounds, classic lanterns, and minimal garden statues.
Conclusion
Due to its nurturing and soothing characteristics, feng shui principles are popular in interior design. However, they shouldn’t be limited to the indoors. By implementing feng shui into your garden and home’s exterior, you will begin noticing its positive effects on the well-being of your home and loved ones and the balance of energies in your life.
All you need to do is understand the basics of feng shui to efficiently design your garden and enhance your peace and your household’s overall energy. And that’s all it takes to embark on your very own feng shui gardening journey!