I don’t believe in every Feng Shui rule, but I’ve grown up with them and they’re hard to shake off. Sometimes it’s not about luck; it’s about feeling balanced or simply “right,” in your space.
My first encounter was at 7, when my grandmother brought a Feng Shui master to my home. I don’t remember much, just mirrors being moved and a wooden plaque with the word 福 (fú) hung outside our door.
By the time I had my own room, I wasn’t following Feng Shui as a believer, but I understood it instinctively. The dos and don’ts my elders swore by made sense in their own way. Here are some of the Feng Shui rules I’ve adopted over time, and the ones I don’t practice and why.
Practical Feng Shui rules I adopted for my own home
I may not check the almanac for lucky dates, but I’ve realised some Feng Shui habits have quietly stuck around, mostly because they just make sense.
- Take the mirror rule: never facing the bed. Maybe it’s about energy reflection, maybe it’s just plain creepy to wake up at 3 a.m. and see yourself staring back.
- Not sitting with my back to the door? Feng Shui calls it “energy awareness”; I call it survival instinct because you never know when your cat or a family member might sneak up on you.
- And sleeping position, never directly facing the door. Not because of qi. I just prefer not to be seen in a weird position if a relative decides to drop by (which happens often).
- Even decluttering counts. Feng Shui calls it “clearing stagnant energy.” I just don’t want my house to look like a tornado hit it.
I tell myself it’s not superstition, just common sense. Maybe it’s cultural conditioning. Or maybe, after generations of “better-safe-than-sorry” advice, some habits simply can’t die
Better ventilation = better qi
Take qi, that mysterious “energy” everyone talks about. On weekends, I fling every window open to “let the air in.” In my head, it’s just fresh ventilation. But deep down, I probably believe it renews the qi and blows away any stagnant energy.
Good airflow isn’t just a Feng Shui thing; it’s science. Proper ventilation keeps humidity and mould in check, prevents stuffiness, and literally helps you breathe easier. A breezy home feels lighter, calmer, and more “alive”, which funnily enough, is exactly what Feng Shui has been saying for centuries.
The Feng Shui beliefs I don’t buy into
Image credit: Mr Designer Studio
Not all Feng Shui advice is made equal. Some are rooted in logic; others feel like they belong in a soap opera. I’ve learned to take what’s practical and leave what makes my brain itch.
Compass directions
One of the biggest myths? That your house’s facing direction seals your fate. I’ve heard claims that “Home Feng Shui accounts for 70% of your luck and wealth,” and if your door points the “wrong way,” there’s no fixing it.
Realistically, most of us don’t get to pick. HDB units aren’t Pokémon you can trade for better stats. As long as your space feels good to live in, that’s already good energy in my book.
Element superstitions
Then there’s the classic “never put your stove beside your sink” rule because fire (stove) and water (sink) supposedly clash. In a small flat, that’s like saying don’t breathe next to your plants. Yes, water meeting fire creates an energy contrast, but it’s more “steam” than “doom.” Unless your kitchen’s actually malfunctioning, you’ll survive just fine.
Poison arrows
“Poison arrows” are another dramatic one. Sharp corners or beams supposedly sending bad energy your way. Sure, I wouldn’t sit directly under a low beam (that’s just uncomfortable), but not every pointy angle is plotting your downfall. Sometimes it’s just… bad architecture.
Numerology
And finally, numbers. From “avoid 4” to “chase 8,” numerology can make house-hunting feel like a math exam. I’d rather focus on whether the home has good ventilation and natural light. Those are the real energy boosters, not the digits on your door.
The takeaway is that thoughtful Feng Shui can absolutely guide how we design and organize our spaces. But superstition overload: the rigid rules, fear-based decisions, and obsession over “bad luck” just adds unnecessary stress. Balance matters. After all, the point of good energy is to help you live better, not worry harder.
Using feng shui for mindful practicality
Image credit: Of The Box
A lot of times, Feng Shui gets a bad rep for being mystical or superstitious, but really, it’s about flow, order, and harmony. The same principles interior designers now talk about when they discuss “wellness homes” or creating calming spaces.
Feng Shui for minimalism & decluttering
When you share a space with others, that same sense of flow can make daily life smoother too. Thoughtful layouts help everyone move around comfortably, reducing friction (both literally and emotionally).
Feng Shui for building a peaceful ambiance
Good Feng Shui design often overlaps with what interior designers call functional design. Proper lighting improves alertness and mood. The right placement of mirrors and windows enhances airflow and natural light, making small homes feel larger and fresher. Even your furniture arrangement can affect how focused or relaxed you feel in a space.
And honestly, even skeptics do it without realising. You might roll your eyes at “energy flow,” but when you nudge your sofa a few inches and the room suddenly feels better, that’s Feng Shui quietly doing its thing. Because at the end of the day, designing a home that feels peaceful, balanced, and good to live in is what Feng Shui has always been about.
Why Feng Shui makes sense for smaller homes
Image credit: Happe Design Atelier
Feng Shui isn’t just for sprawling mansions or luxury condos with endless rooms. It actually makes a lot of sense in smaller HDB flats & condos.
In tight spaces, flow and order suddenly matter more. A cluttered corner isn’t just bad for energy; it’s a literal tripping hazard.
Even things like placing a mirror to reflect light or opening up the main walkway aren’t just “old-school rituals.” They’re practical ways to make a compact space feel airy and organised. In small apartments, Feng Shui and modern living meet perfectly. Traditional principles giving structure, and practical design keeping life stress-free.
Why Feng Shui is universal, even if you’re not superstitious
At its heart, Feng Shui isn’t about luck, it’s about how your surroundings affect how you live. Clear pathways and uncluttered corners don’t just “let the qi flow”; they make cleaning faster, reduce mess, and help your home feel more open and breathable. Less clutter also means less stress, both for your eyes and your mind.
Mindful living isn’t just about meditation or journaling, it also shows up in how you arrange your space. Being able to move around freely and letting natural light in doesn’t just follow Feng Shui rules, it makes your home feel bigger, calmer, and more functional.
Image credit: Oblivion Lab
When you plan your layout intentionally, you’re really practicing a form of spatial mindfulness: noticing how furniture placement, walking paths, and light affect how you feel day to day.
Somewhere along the way, Feng Shui stopped feeling mystical and started feeling like something obvious that is shaped by culture. Now, when I think about my future home, I’m not focused on compass directions or unlucky numbers, but on airflow, comfort, and ease of movement. Maybe that’s what modern Feng Shui really is, practical design grounded in tradition.
And at its core, Feng Shui ties me to my cultural roots, a quiet thread linking me to my upbringing and ancestors. There’s something comforting in that, even if I don’t take every rule literally.
If there’s any advice I’d give to someone curious about Feng Shui, it’s this: take the good, leave the fear. Use it lightly to guide your layout, decluttering, and daily routines. Focus on harmony, comfort, and good vibes, not rigid rules.
Call it superstition, cultural habit, or subconscious comfort. Feng Shui, in its many small ways, continues to shape the way I live.
Even if you’re not superstitious, you can still read more Feng Shui:
- 6 easy decluttering tricks to boost Feng Shui in your home
- 7 Feng Shui reno mistakes to avoid at home
- 8 best beginner friendly Feng Shui plants for your home
Cover image adapted from: Of The Box
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