Feng Shui is often associated with superstitious rituals and gaudy ornaments that may look out of place in a modern home. But can design and Feng Shui go hand in hand?
To find out, we spoke to local Feng Shui Consultant Master Ling — and the answer is yes! “We don’t have to rely on ornaments, rather, it’s about the right space, environment, energy and what feels good to you,” she said.
For some inspiration to put this into practice, here are 8 Feng Shui design do’s and don’ts for the best chance of improving your health, career and relationships.
1. Do: Look at floorplans when picking homes
Image credit: The Local Innterior
This one goes out to all the homeowners-to-be! While the competition for new units in Singapore is fierce, take time to pore over details like the location, direction and floor plan of your potential home to sniff out and minimise negative energies.
“Having a good start is the best way to make your home naturally help you advance in other areas of your life such as personal and professional growth,” said Master Ling, “If the starting point is not exactly right, there might be more challenges.”
To illustrate, some units naturally have better Feng Shui from the get-go, such as homes with fully squarish or rectangular floor plans. It is said that missing corners can represent missing energies, so to be safe, you should make sure you have good sectors such as those representing wealth and luck.
Image credit: @absolookid
Space is also associated with a good flow and positive energy, which is great news for those who love open-concept homes. Master Ling recommends that the overall proportion of the home should be balanced to signify harmony in the home. Corridors that are slightly wider, for example, are preferred.
Another point from Master Ling is to avoid “suspended” units, or units that are on the second floor right above a road or driveway into a carpark. The vehicles passing through the driveway symbolise a destabilised energy — and from a practical perspective, makes for a lot of noise and disturbance.
2. Do: Open the windows more
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Leaving your windows wide open will let wind and sunshine into your home, and with it comes energy and warmth. The positive energy has a revitalising effect that helps to improve the mood of the home overall.
“Don’t be afraid of a little bit of West sun,” she said, addressing a common concern that sunlight coming in from the west can generate more heat. “Any sunlight coming in is better than living without.” In contrast, if your windows are closed all the time, the air can become stuffy and damp. This creates an environment for sickness and health issues, she said.
For air-conditioning lovers who have our windows closed often, introducing a dehumidifier or air purifier can reduce the water element associated with melancholy, not to mention keep the air from going stale and musty.
3. Do: Position “friendly” plants to boost positive energies
Image credit: @fifithavenueinterior
Have a green thumb? In Feng Shui, plants can boost or cut down certain energies in your home, so placing them strategically can improve the overall energy. “The plants are placed specifically for a purpose,” said Master Ling.
Even if you’re no expert on where to place the plants, one general rule of thumb is to opt for leafy plants over dry plants. Leafy plants include Rubber plants or Money plants, she said, while cacti are to be avoided. Hydroponic plants, or plants that grow in water, are also preferred over potted plants that grow in soil.
4. Don’t: Put the stove next to the sink
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The sink is where water flows, while the stove represents the element of fire. In fact, in the entire home, the kitchen is the only place where the element of fire is present — representing energies like passion, motivation, warmth and family bonding.
“In Chinese metaphysics, water and fire clash,” said Master Ling, “so we try to keep the stove at least 60cm away from the kitchen sink.” To enhance the stability of the fire element, she also recommends storing pots and pans instead of sharp tools like knives under the stove cabinets.
Another kitchen tip is to keep the toilet entrance away from the stove, as it makes for negative energy interaction. Beyond being a well-known superstition, it could just be a very jarring visual to see your stove right after doing your business, she said.
5. Do: Keep the main door area bright
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You may have seen homes with a small light affixed near the main door, and according to Master Ling, that is something you can do to attract positive energy if your main door is positioned correctly. Fixing a light is especially effective for doors that sit in darker areas, such as those facing a neighbour’s door or sitting in an enclosed space.
In the interior right after the door, avoid installing mirrors as they can reflect certain energies, she said, and it can also be shocking for visitors to suddenly see their reflection. Instead, display items with welcoming energy such as quotes or family photographs.
6. Do: Ensure good ventilation in the bathrooms
Image credit: @met.interior
As a gauge for good circulation, air should be able to easily flow in and out of the bathrooms. “If there is too much air moisture kept inside, especially if the ceiling is not high, you could face issues like mould that are tricky to solve,” said Master Ling.
For layouts where the bathroom is in the centre of the home, such as in condominiums, ways to mitigate this include installing an air vent, dehumidifier or even painting the bathroom a brighter colour to lift the energy of the space.
7. Do: Choose colours carefully
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Colours make a world of difference in the look and feel of your home, and can be used to complement your characteristics in Feng Shui. According to Master Ling, ideal colour schemes differ from person to person, depending on your stage of life and personality traits.
But in general, there are certain spaces that should be warmer, such as children’s rooms or home offices. Warm colours like yellow and pastels are said to give energy, support and vibrance, she said. On the other hand, bedrooms tend to do better with cool colours as they are associated with rest and sleep. For example, blues, greys and earthy greens have a mellow and calming quality.
That said, balance is still key. “If your bedroom is already dark with little sunlight, you may need a brighter colour to achieve the balance,” she advised, “and try not to go for neon-bright colours in your home as it can be too shocking.”
8. Don’t: Have low ceilings or hanging beams
Image credit: Habitus Living
“Sitting under a low ceiling or a beam naturally adds pressure,” Master Ling said. This is a result of air being suppressed under the beam and pressing you down. Of course, this only applies to low ceilings. “It’s fine if your ceilings are high and you don’t feel the weight or the pressure,” she said.
If you’re facing this issue at home, try adding some light to the ceiling or put a picture under the ceiling to lift the energy of the space.
Feng shui tips at home
While Feng Shui does have roots in old superstition, there’s no doubt that it can be compatible with modern home design. “Good Feng Shui at home is important as space influences energy, which can change the way we live, work and play,” said Master Ling, a local Feng Shui and Qi Men Dun Jia Consultant from Qi Men Oracle.
With this in mind, it’s important to note everyone has a different set of perfect Feng Shui practices for them — similar to how everyone has their own version of their dream home. It depends on things like your personality, birth chart and timing, she explained.
But as a start, small actions like these can be a beginning point for a change of environment and a change of perspective, which could ultimately change your character and outlook in life.
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