Originating in ancient China, Feng Shui is the practice of arranging home furniture in living spaces to create a balance within the natural world. “Feng” means wind and “shui” means water, and the concept is derived from a traditional Chinese poem that explains how human life is connected and flows with the surrounding environment. Early Settler product manager Monica Porter shares with CW their top tips on how to Feng Shui your home.

Balance the elements

Feng Shui creates the formula for creating an inviting interior with a clever balance of colours, textures, and shapes. Honouring each of the five elements in a room is the cornerstone of Feng Shui:

• Earth: Tones of brown, orange, and yellow, and flat, square shapes.
• Metal: Shades of white and grey, metallic colours, and spherical, round forms.
• Water: Black and dark blue colours and pieces with curves or wavy characteristics.
• Wood: Hues of blue and green, and shapes of rectangles or columns.
• Fire: Look to fiery reds and triangular shapes.

Monica suggests mixing and matching the physical elements – a metal lamp, a plant, a wooden chair, an aquarium, and a candle.

Furniture placement

The furniture arrangement of your living room should warmly welcome and draw you into the room. Navigating the room with ease is a must! Having the back of your sofa facing the door will make the room feel closed off, so try and avoid this placement.

Add some plants

Bringing the outside world into your home can dramatically improve your Feng Shui, Monica says. Try and add some foliage or flowers, either freshly cut from the garden or artificial.

Top tip: Add a few drops of essential oils to a faux stem arrangement for a beautiful floral or native gum smell.

Conscious colour choice

Monica says colours should be intentional. While you should always choose colours you’re naturally drawn to, Feng Shuiexperts lean towards a number of colour palettes ranging from warm neutrals to crisp greys. If you’re feeling adventurous this year and are keen to get yourself out of your comfort zone, try some colours considered lucky during the Year of the Rabbit – azure blue, apple green, red, and pearl white. Monica says she has been drawn to beautiful greens over the past six months.

Top tip: Add a personal touch of a quirky vase or cushion, or a pop of colour in an armchair to make your house feel like home.

Illuminate the space

A simple way to lift the mood in a room is to illuminate the space. To let natural light filter into the space during the day, consider sheer window furnishings, and create mood lighting at night with table and floor lamps. Another way to bring light into a room is with mirrors. Try positioning one to reflect the outdoors, rather than your everyday home clutter, and it will assist in expanding your visual space.

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