There are a few feng shui principles that you should follow to maximize the flow of energy in your home. Some of the most basic are to open up space, remove clutter, and use color and lighting to attract positive chi.
1. Create a sanctuary in your hallway: The corridor is one of the most important spaces in a home, according to feng shui expert Kristin Esposito. It should be clean and organized with a shoe rack and hooks for coats, says Esposito. This area also symbolizes the entrance to your spiritual sanctuary, she adds.
2. Remove cluttered surfaces: Clutter can block the flow of energy and bring in negative chi, explains certified feng shui master Marie Burgos. It can also impede your ability to communicate with others, she notes.
3. Keep your front door tidy and open: The front door is a major portal of energy that can influence how you feel in your home, so it’s important to make sure it opens freely and easily. The feng shui master recommends that you clean out the door regularly and put it back where it belongs, as this will help improve the overall energy in your home.
4. Apply the bagua map: This ancient floor plan, which translates to “eight areas,” is a tool used by feng shui experts to identify how to maximize your space’s energy. It consists of eight boxes representing different aspects of your life, such as wealth, fame, family, and love, and is designed to bring good Chi energy throughout the home.
5. Change your furniture layout: Changing the way you arrange your furniture can change the flow of energy in your home. For example, if you have a kitchen that’s too small, you can move your stove into the center of the room and rearrange the cabinetry in this area to open up more space.
6. Eliminate stuffed drawers and closets: These spaces can often be full of clutter that’s not necessary. This can be difficult to accomplish, but it’s essential for the flow of chi, suggests Burgos.
7. Remove a broken object: Having a broken object in your home can prevent the positive energy from coming into your space. It can also be a source of stress, and it can block your ability to receive new opportunities in your life.
8. Get rid of dead or dying plants: These plants can diminish the flow of chi, so it’s essential to replace them with fresh flowers or other greenery.
9. Remove a dead tree: A dead tree can obstruct the flow of chi in your home, and it may also bring in bad luck. To bring in more chi, consider replacing a tree with a flowering plant such as a rose or jasmine.
10. Declutter your living space: To bring in the energy of Yin and Yang, it’s essential to declutter your living space regularly and remove all things that don’t bring you joy or balance. For example, if you have cluttered cabinets or drawers, consider renting a storage unit to free up space in your home and create more chi flow.