Feng Shui (often mistakenly referred to as Fen Shui) is an ancient Chinese discipline with a tradition spanning over five thousand years. It aligns the unfolding of natural events with our vital energy. The study of Feng Shui has become increasingly integrated into the training of those involved in architecture and home design. Many architects, seeking ways to integrate human constructions with nature, have increasingly turned to geomancy, the constant pursuit of seeking and maintaining the balance present in the world. Others have embraced green architecture and eco-sustainable materials, which somehow seek to connect human work with nature. The practice of Feng Shui is based on five fundamental elements that constitute and exist in every part of the universe: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.
Wood is visible and associated with everything reminiscent of it and made from this material, be it furniture, plants, gardens, or floral prints. Fire, on the other hand, is associated with lighting of all kinds: from candles to electric lights. The element of earth is associated with terracotta, ceramic, and brick. Metal, on the other hand, is associated with objects made of this material, but also rocks, crystal, and, in the art of interior decoration, pastel and light colors. The final element is water, associated with rivers, streams, and fountains in nature, but in architecture it is associated with objects such as mirrors and glass. It is important that these elements be present in every room, that they are well-distributed and balanced, to provide the best and greatest psycho-physical well-being for man. Each element is associated with colors, moods, cardinal points, and other elements, which you can see in the following image, which form the basis of the theory and practice of this ancient art.
Feng Shui for the home
Every home, and every room within it, possesses its own energy. Furthermore, the home is the place where we spend most of our time, so materials, colors, shapes, and orientation are all elements that interact and influence the people who live there. First, it is crucial to identify the ideal location for your home. According to Feng Shui theory, analyzing this location is complex: it must take into account multiple factors, such as the morphology, conformation, geography of the land, and knowledge of the area. It is essential that all the elements meet in this location.
The shape of the house according to Feng Shui
According to Feng Shui, the optimal shape for a home is either rectangular or square, as it allows for the proper arrangement of all the elements of the personal sphere. Inside the home, the rooms must be well-balanced, starting with their size, which should not differ too much from one another. Like the house itself, the rooms should also have the regular shape of squares and rectangles, and not have excessively high or low ceilings. Even if the house has an irregular shape, it is possible to apply the rules of Feng Shui; the important thing is to be able to hypothetically restore the floor plan to the regular shapes of the square or circle, in order to rebalance the various elements.
Feng Shui room by room
Feng Shui in the Entrance
The entrance is a very important space, as it separates the outside from the inside and guides guests to the reception area. Every home should have a medium-sized entrance hall. If it’s small, it can be made more airy by using light colors, soft lighting, or placing a mirror on the wall opposite the door to convey a sense of spaciousness. It should not be obstructed by furnishings such as tables, coat racks, or umbrella stands, but should be free and easily accessible. If there are low walls opposite the door or a chain of doors, this art suggests some solutions to prevent negative energy.
Feng Shui in the Living Room
Probably the most active room in the house, given its role in conviviality, it’s important to optimally encompass all five elements. If possible, the living room should be positioned before the other rooms, with direct access from the entrance, and decorated in a creative and vibrant way. To best organize it, it’s important to start with a key element, such as the television, a painting, or a fireplace. Arrange the remaining furniture around this octagonal element. It’s good practice to place the sofa and armchair against the wall, symbolizing protection.
Feng Shui in the Bedroom
The bedroom is where you recharge your batteries to start the day off right. This is precisely why its location is important. Unlike the living room, this room should be located at the back of the house and as far away from the entrance as possible. The placement of the bed is crucial: it’s important to be able to see the bedroom door from it, but the person lying in it should not have their feet facing the door. The optimal bed placement is with the head facing east, resting against a wall or away from the door, and preferably not adjacent to the bathroom wall. Windows behind or above the headboard are also frowned upon, as they could be affected by drafts. Feng Shui theory suggests that negative solutions include installing screens or soundproofing the walls to prevent negative energy and noise from disturbing a peaceful rest.
Feng Shui in the Kitchen
The kitchen is a very important space in Feng Shui theory, as it is closely linked to the physical health of the home’s occupants. It should be located in a protected area and, if possible, not visible from the entrance to the home. It should also have two openings to allow the free circulation of energy and the key Feng Shui elements. Glass walls and French windows should not occupy more than two walls. The ideal orientation for this room of the house is east or southeast, as it fosters creativity and well-being. The ideal environment for the kitchen should be bright, preferably with natural light, and filled with plants placed in the corners, which have the function of eliminating negative energy and rebalancing the main elements, should the kitchen’s orientation not correspond to the ideal one. Even the arrangement of kitchen appliances follows a logic dictated by the cardinal orientation and the antagonism of the elements: direct contact between fire and water must be avoided, and they should not be placed adjacent or face-to-face, but separated by neutral elements. In modern kitchens, where the dining room and kitchen are often a single space, it is important to separate the two areas with fixed or removable dividers.
Feng Shui in the Dining Room
The dining room should also be cozy and secluded from the home’s entrance. The best exposure is south, as it is dominated by warm energies. It should be free of furniture, but should be tidy and minimal: table, chairs, and sideboard. If the dining area is located within the living room, it’s a good idea to define its boundaries with potted plants or other decorative elements.
Feng Shui in the Study
The study is a place dedicated to reading and studying, so it’s important to have it well-organized within the home and away from disturbing noises. The ideal shape is rectangular, with windows overlooking beautiful and evocative landscapes, but not too attractive, so as not to distract from study or work. Obviously, the study should revolve around the desk, which should not be placed directly in front of or with its back to the door. Lighting is important, not excessively bright, but focused above the desk with spotlights.
Feng Shui in the Bathroom
The bathroom should never be centrally located within the home, nor opposite the entrance.
Feng Shui in the Hallway
The hallway is a very important element within the home and should therefore not be underestimated. They bring energy to the rooms and should therefore be bright and free of furniture and bulky objects that can interfere with and impede the flow of energy. The hallway shouldn’t have too many doors, especially if they’re all on the same side and don’t need to be aligned. To ensure proper door placement, Feng Shui masters recommend placing mirrors along the free walls to ward off negative energy.
Misaligned doors in corridors, insertion of mirrors to broaden the perception of the corridor.Feng Shui in Stairs
Stairs are of fundamental importance to Feng Shui; they allow the distribution of energy throughout the home and, therefore, should not be placed haphazardly. Stairs should never face doors and should not be enclosed or narrowed by walls, but should be as unobstructed as possible. Architecturally, steep and narrow stairs are not permitted; they should be wide and well-lit. The number of steps should also not be random; according to this ancient art, the most appropriate numbers for steps are: 1, 2, 5, 10, 13, 14, 17, 22, 25, 26, and 29.
It is therefore clear that the art of Feng Shui, linked to interior design and architectural planning, follows strict and precise rules, determined not only by the abstract aspects of energies and elements, but also by the rigor in the layout of rooms and the furnishings that comprise them.