Look around objectively and depersonalise each room. Pack up all excess objects and personal items such as family photographs, then label each box and put them into storage. This will help to neutralise your home, so potential buyers can focus on 'picturing' themselves living in your house.
Position the building centrally on the block. If you are including exterior buildings such as workshops and garden sheds, place them to the rear of the back garden.
The rear of a house is more 'Yin', or restful and quiet. Place bedrooms here to encourage a good night's sleep.
The front of a house is usually more 'Yang' which is associated with movement and activity. The home office, living room and family rooms are best placed here.
Do you have any objects in your home that you don't particularly like, or feel obligated to keep? Remember, one man's trash is another's treasure, so donate them to a charity then replace them with something you really do love.
Where are you likely to spend most of your time in the cooler months? Observe the artwork and objects in this area. Do you see anything here that relates to creativity, new projects or children? What would you place here as a reminder to yourself to let go and get involved in a rewarding project?
If your room is spacious, using large prints in warm or contrasting colours will help to make it more cosy, as they have the effect of 'moving forward'.
Generally speaking, cushions in a small pattern in harmonious colours from the same colour 'family', for example, blues, aquas and greens will be more suitable when you want to add character in a small space.
For bedroom walls, soft warm neutrals, as in pinks, lavenders, creams, beiges, peaches and pale yellows promote a good nights rest (a yin activity). If you prefer stronger colours, select from deeper pinks, corals, purples and chocolate. Blue, aqua, pale green, grey and white need to be balanced with warmer colours in your decor, as an overabundance can feel cold (too yin) in a bedroom.
Red is the most 'yang' or active colour in the spectrum and activates ch'i. It is best not to use it at all in a hyperactive child's bedroom, or if your child has difficulty sleeping.
Good quality food shared with family and friends is considered auspicious to health and wealth in terms of Feng Shui. Natural beeswax candles are an excellent choice for the dining table, to enhance the ambience, keeping the focus on food and conversation.
Fluorescent lighting can be very draining, particularly when positioned over a desk. If you can, avoid using fluorescent lights in your study or home office.
It is preferable that all doors open inward. This allows 'chi' to enter and also invites, or leads you into a house or room. Doors open outward cause you to step backwards and effectively 'push' or draw energy away from the space.
Make sure no clutter or items are stored behind any doors. This frees up any blockages impeding free flow of movement from room to room.
How does the energy move in your home? Too much clutter or heavy furniture can produce a stagnant feeling which in turn tends to produce feelings of overwhelm, inertia or lack of time or energy. If you feel like this, yet are unmotivated to do anything about it, do your self a huge favour and get help. This is what friends and professionals are for!
Perhaps you are not a hoarder, your home is organised and neat as a pin, yet still you feel sluggish and stuck in a rut. Remember, balance for well being. You may need to mess things up a little! When were you last so completely absorbed in an activity, you lost all track of time? By the end of the coming week, decide on one activity you enjoy (or used to enjoy, or would secretly love to try) and select a space in your home to commence practising this. Commit to whatever action is necessary to getting you started: buying the crayons, booking the class, re-arranging the spare room, asking an expert friend to help you get going. Then do it! The benefits will come from taking action.
Beware the interference of noise pollution, it can be a subtle contributor to nervous tension and inability to truly relax. If leaving the TV on whilst doing something else is a habit, consider making it a point to turn it off. This will be one less distraction to contend with.
A peaceful corner or room in which we pause and regroup can contribute to improved energy levels. A painting or photograph of a quiet nature scene (eg. mountain, stream) viewed from your favourite chair may inspire; or it could be a couple of floor cushions by the full length window that reveals your favourite view of the garden. The aim here, is to find a spot in your home that you can relax in, forget your cares for a while and recharge your batteries.
Placement of heavy, solid furniture can 'ground' an area and encourage occupants to slow down. A comfy armchair beside a bookcase in a quiet corner, for example. Just ensure there is good lighting available to keep things balanced (and practical!!).
Wardrobes are a good example of mountain energy - for storage and stillness. What are you storing behind closed doors? Is there anything here that is of no use to you any more? If so, give it away or throw it away.
If possible, when designing your bathroom, keep the toilet separate from the bathroom. If this is not option, it's best not to have the door opening straight onto the toilet, nor a reflection of it in the bathroom mirror.
When planning your home, in feng shui terms, ensuites are not recommended, however, they are practical! If you have an ensuite, simply keep the door closed when not in use. If you are at the design stage, you may want to place a dressing room between the two. Just make sure there is a place for everything and door to screen clothes from view when in bed.
If you are renovating, consider lining ceilings which have exposed beams, to lessen the opressiveness.
Alternatively, paint your ceiling and beams white or in a light shade to give the impression of more height.
For those who find it difficult to get a good nights sleep, remove any mirrors that reflect the bed or the area above your sleeping position. If your wardrobe doors are mirrored, either replace them or cover them whilst sleeping with a soft cotton voile curtain.
Mirrors in the bathroom are best if you can see your whole image (ie. don't cut off any tall family members heads).
Cooking is also associated with the earth element. If you love cooking, why not share some of your home baked goodies with others, or invite someone around for brunch.
When did you last give yourself a gift? If things are getting hectic, some time out may be an ideal treat, or perhaps it's a painting you've been hankering after. Go ahead and spoil yourself.
Dieffenbachia's (pronounced 'deef-en-bark-ee-a') are a broad leafed plant with variegated foliage that come in various sizes. They are an excellent plant to keep near any computers or electrical equipment to absorb electromagnetic emissions, although any healthy plant will do this to some degree.
If you have cupboards that do not reach all the way to the ceiling (in your kitchen for example), place a plant or two on top. This will move the chi which tends to become stagnant in such places. Kangaroo Vine (Cissus Antarctica) has attractive, glossy dark green leaves and works well in this situation. Just remember to water them from time to time.
If you haven't entertained in a while, invite friends or family around. A quiet home can benefit from the effects of camaderie & you'll notice this after everyone has departed. Relationships, helpful friends and the family, or clan are all important in terms of feng shui, as is the laughter of children.
Happy pets enliven the home, entertain us and give lots of unconditional love. Think of the welcome you receive when you arrive home! They encourage humans to give in return.
Kept on a sunny window sill, fresh herbs in the kitchen such as peppermint, basil, lemon balm can impart a beautiful aroma as well as being practical.
Essential oils, sachets of potpourri, incense, aromatic candles or perfumed flowers all serve to uplift and enhance us, yet can be overlooked. Be selective.
Icons, in terms of Feng Shui, are those things which reflect meaningful symbology. Art work is an example. What inspires you? Do you have anything decorating your home to convey this? For example, what is there in your living room that conveys a sense of abundance to you?
Icons serve the purpose of energising and inspiring us. Do you have any art work or ornaments that you don't love on display? Is that painting given to you by your previous partner hanging on your lounge room wall just to fill the space? Take another look. What does it remind you of? If the association is one of anger or clinging to the past, replace it with something more relative to who you are today!
Just as floods would create mishap for those living alongside the river banks in olden times, the noise of peak hour traffic on major roads can be invasive. Plants will absorb sound and toxic car emissions.
Install double glazed windows to further reduce the noise factor.
Anything that is no longer of use, that does not uplift you or is broken needs to be tossed, donated or repaired. Be ruthless! If you're not too busy, or need a hand, enlist the help of a friend, or a professional clutter buster.
Cluttered spaces indicate a cluttered mind. Take action and you release the pressure. You'll feel much better.
One of the most attractive methods of enhancing the Feng Shui of any home is to use cut crystals and prisms to catch the morning sunlight coming from the east, or the afternoon sunlight coming from the west. Hang golf ball sized cut crystals by the window and each time the sun shines watch these crystals create bright rainbows inside the room. This has the effect of energising the Chi currents, is extremely good Feng Shui and is particularly potent for creating family harmony and happiness.
The front door is the entrance to your inner sanctum. Is it easy to find the front door? Is it well lit? Have you given thought to the first impression upon arrival? Is it inviting, or a bit messy and shabby? A coat of fresh paint can work wonders!
For those living in a unit, consider placing healthy potted plants on either side of the door, installing an interesting door knocker or a welcoming doormat. Put your stamp of individuality in place.
Wind chimes come in many forms, and some can be quite strident or give off a frenetic energy. It is advisable to select wind chimes carefully, choosing one that has a sound that you enjoy.
Consider playing gentle background music in your home office. This will assist you to relax, masking any distracting sounds and help you focus on the task at hand.
Feng Shui tips are provided by Lesley Vink (Dip. Applied Feng Shui - Design, member AFSAA). A partner in FS SOLUTIONS, and a practitioner of Applied Feng Shui.
For further information, or if you would like to engage the services of a consultant, please contact Lesley on Phone 0500 502 660; e-mail fs_sol@aus3.com; or visit FS Solutions website.
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