Being superstitious about feng shui might seem like a boomer trait, but an increasing number of younger homeowners are getting steeped in its practices. Why? Aside from the touted positives you get from welcoming more good energy into your home, you’re also creating the chance to get a better value on your house in the future.
And while furnishing plays a huge part, here are 7 common feng shui reno mistakes you don’t want to make in your new BTO.
1. Having your front door aligned with other doors & windows
Aligning the front main door with other doors and windows is considered a significant Feng Shui no-no as it disrupts a home’s natural flow of energy. When doors and windows are directly aligned, the positive chi energy rushes straight through, bypasses essential areas, and won’t have time to fill up your home.
Front doors that are directly aligned or near other doors or windows mean that positive chi rushes straight out of your home.
Image credit: Pinterest
According to Feng Shui principles, such a mistake can make inhabitants feel exposed and vulnerable and like there’s a lack of privacy.
If, say, your home’s structure doesn’t leave much room for change, and your main door still aligns with windows or other doors, you can also stop good chi from leaving by placing something in between, such as a dividing partition, screen, or a feng shui crystal ball.
2. Having too many sharp corners & angles
An example of a home with curves that facilitates good feng shui.
Image credit: SIXiDES
Curves in a home are a trend we’re seeing more of in Singapore homes, so you’ll probably be glad to know that this design element is a welcome feature in the world of Feng Shui as excessive corners and angles are considered detrimental to the flow of positive energy.
When chi encounters sharp angles, it’s said that such structures act as poison arrows and disrupt and scatter the positive energy, leading to a sense of restlessness and unease among the occupants.
To offset this, opt for smoother curves and lines instead. This curvy lava lamp-esque condo reno is a great example of how you can incorporate curves into your home.
Non-reno tip: If the damage has already been done, then you can strategically place decorative items or plants in front of sharp corners to help keep poison arrows at bay.
3. Having your staircase in line with the front door
Similar to point one, the position of a staircase in your home is important, as having one directly in line with the front door is viewed as an energy drain. The idea here is that chi will rush up and down the stairs and not linger enough in the main living areas.
As it may be costly to move an entire staircase away from the line of sight of the front door of your home during the renovation process, we recommend homeowners looking to maximise good chi in their homes to avoid such homes.
Placing plants and decorative statues around your staircase can promote positive chi flow.
Image credit: Pinterest
If this is not something that is doable, a way to get around this is to place plants or a large object, such as a statue to stabilise the chi.
4. Not having sufficient lighting
An example of a home with plenty of artificial lighting to promote the flow of good energy.
Image credit: @corub_i
Most of us love dark and moody spaces as they help us escape the world and feel secure and hidden away. But there’s bad news for lovers of such spaces as insufficient or harsh lighting is often linked to bad chi, according to Feng Shui.
Adequate illumination is considered a cornerstone of good energy flow and positive chi as it helps allow energy to circulate freely. On the other hand, areas with insufficient lighting lead to stagnant pockets of energy and areas that feel dull and lifeless. So time to pull back those blackout curtains and let some light into that dark and gloomy room. You and your home will thank us later.
Pro tip: Try to have as much natural lighting as possible to promote a vibrant and uplifting atmosphere with fresh and revitalising chi.
5. Not planning for enough storage
No one likes to see a messy home with tons of clutter strewn all over. That’s why it’s important to plan for adequate storage facilities to hold all of your clutter, as having no clutter leads to better chi flow.
Picture your home as a river with chi as the water. When belongings are scattered or piled up without designated storage, they act as blocks in the river and are energetic obstacles, causing stress and inhibiting the free circulation of positive energy.
Pro tip: Install built-in storage facilities to keep your home nice and tidy without needing storage pieces that will take up valuable floor space.
6. Not planning your colour palette with the Bagua map in mind
Overly bright and colourful areas are considered to be bad as they make the space look and feel chaotic.
Image credit: Pinterest
A Bagua map is crucial in Feng Shui for mapping out the different energy sectors of your home, representing different areas of life such as wealth, relationships, and health, and is also associated with specific colours corresponding to the 5 elements.
A Bagua map with suggested colours according to the elements.
Image credit: Phoenix Rising Home Staging
For example, bedrooms are often associated with the calming element of water, but if you use fiery red tones, this could cause an imbalance in the energy of your home and lead to overall disharmony.
So before you go ahead and paint the walls of your newly renovated home, it is worth thinking of ways to harmonise your colour choices with the Bagua map, to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your space and optimise your home’s energetic flow.
Pro tip: If you prefer one overall home colour theme, opt for a neutral colour and then have furnishings of the specific colour to match each
7. Not planning for ventilation
Rooms with good natural ventilation help to get rid of stale and stagnant air.
Image credit: Rezt+Relax, Dots ‘N’ Tots Interior
Besides having natural lighting to promote good chi flow, proper ventilation is also important to maintain a healthy and harmonious living environment.
Like how dark areas lead to stagnant energy, a lack of ventilation means stagnant and stale air, which traps negative energy in your home. So make sure you open those windows and let some fresh air in occasionally, as not doing so can lead to discomfort and unease.
Pro tip: Those who simply can’t survive without A/C can try introducing a dehumidifier or air purifier to keep the air from stale and musty and promote proper air circulation.
Feng shui reno mistakes
Although there are ways to promote better Feng Shui in a home that you’re already living in by buying houseplants, water fountains, and crystal balls, take it a step further by making the most of your home’s reno and maximising good energy.
Read more about making the most of your HDB space:
- Move-in day feng shui – 10 things to know
- 8 things at home that could be affecting your feng shui & property value
- 7 best feng shui masters to consult in Singapore
- 9 feng shui mistakes most Singaporeans make
Cover image adapted from: Pinterest
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