An expert shares some of the most common feng shui mistake — and how to avoid them in your plate .
Feng shuiis an ancient Chinese art of arranging thing within a outer space in such a way as to make a good flow of vitality that conduce to balance . Sometimes referred to as geomancy , it focalize on the way the " qi " , the life power energy that flows through a place .
The art of feng shui is 1000 of years former , yet remains a practice that ’s still relied upon to take symmetry and harmony into a infinite . Design elements such as a wall color or a furniture layout all play a function in the overall tactile property of a way , and in feng shui term , affect the energy of the space .
Credit: Kritsada Panichgul
If you ’re curious about this philosophy but are n’t sure where to get begin , feng shui expertAnjie Chois share her undecomposed tips . Sometimes knowing whatnotto do is the good starting point , so we asked Cho to share the most coarse feng shui faux pas masses make so you may avoid them . She talks everything from florals to furniture location and storage , and her insights may just surprise you .
Anjie Chois a feng shui expert and co - author ofMindful aliveness : A guide to the quotidian magic of feng shui .
1. Displaying Dried or Artificial Flowers
While displaying dried or stilted flowers in your home may call for less care , when it come to feng shui , you ’ll need to replace them withfresh flowersas they have life energy . " Dried or fake blossom do not have the same qi ( life force muscularity ) , and are often used in homes in stead of fresh flowers because the homeowner wants them to last forever , " Cho says . Although that may be hardheaded , she explain that the beauty of efflorescence is profoundly twine in their momentary impermanence .
If you ’re question whether it ’s hunky-dory to dry and keep a meaningful sweetness of prime , Cho says there are exceptions to the principle . " There are definitely situations where if you have well loved dried or phony flowers , like a preserved wedding fragrancy , they ’re 100 % okay — just do n’t utilise them for a feng shui adjustment , " she says .
2. Placing a Desk in Front of a Window
You might resolve to placeyour home office deskin front of a windowpane so you may take in the view as you work out , but according to Cho , it ’s one of the most common feng shui faux pas . " From a feng shui perspective , it ’s not idealistic because your qi go out the windowpane and does n’t continue with your work or desk " , she says . It may be ok to position the desk in front of a windowpane if it ’s purely for ornamental purposes , but not if it ’s your primary work situation . " If you work at this desk a muckle and are very focussed on your calling success , taste change state it so that the windowpane is to your side , " Cho suggests .
3. Putting a Bench at the Foot of the Bed
It might seem like a work bench at the foot of the bed completesthe sleeping accommodation , but for feng shui purposes , you ’ll want to stay away from this placement . " The foot of your bed can present chance , especially for your career , and order a workbench or other piece of furniture at the metrical foot of the bed will halt access for that vim , " Cho explains .
4. Storing Things Under the Bed
" In feng shui , ideally the energy can fall around you smoothly while you ’re sleeping for the best health , " Cho state . The empty space under the seam may seem like a neat place to store out - of - time of year vesture and other fuddle , but Cho send word against it . She explains the ch’i of the point under your layer affects you while you ’re slumber . " You sleep in bed , unconscious and open , for a third of your sprightliness , so the items that you kip directly over affect you , " she says .
You might be remember , that vocalise great , but what if the place under the bed is the onlyplace to storesome of your holding ? Cho takes a realistic attack tobedroom storage , saying , " I also read , being a New Yorker , that we do n’t have a ton of storage place . So if you have to have warehousing under the bed , deposit to slumber related or soft item like linen , pillow , the alike . " She apprize against storing anything emotionally charged under your bottom , whether it ’s stressful revenue enhancement returns or alive objects like your gym shoe .
5. Only Adding Color Through Through Painted Walls
Color is one of the many tools that are used in feng shui , but Cho say it ’s justonetool . Do n’t make the faux P.A. of taking thing so literally as to think that because the bagua area for riches is purple , you now have topaint your walls over-embellished — even if you detest the color . " There are many way on the feng shui journey and painting your entire planetary house purpleness does n’t need to be one of them , " Cho points out .
bulwark pigment is not the only fomite for integrate a sure colour into your place . " If you ’re call to work with colors , the color can be invited into your home and life , but it does n’t have to be painted wall ; It can be in interior decoration , clothing , watch glass , even underwear , or using a empurpled penitentiary to journal , " Cho notes .
6. Mixing Different Feng Shui Styles
The internet is full offeng shui suggestions , as are book of account , magazines , and hoi polloi you meet — but Cho warns against mixing and cope with different feng shui suggestions . " There are wads of schools of feng shui and so it ’s easy to find infringe information , " she says . Her passport is to trust your intuition and go with the one feng shui expert , book , or tip that resonates with you and comply it through with mindful intention . " Just like a dinero recipe , when you ’re start out , recover one recipe that you ’ll commit to and try it out before you set about to combine various recipes , " Cho says .
7. Tossing Cactus Plants
If indoor plant are your matter , Cho reveal you should never toss your cactus plant . " It ’s true that in cosmopolitan , soft and fondness shape leaf plants are preferable for a feng shui adjustment , but it does n’t mean that you need to fling out any plants that do n’t meet that criteria , " she explains . Cho says that ifthe cactusis healthy , well - loved , meaningful to you , and flourish , then it ’s contribute those qualities back at you .
However , you ’ll want to keep an heart out on the message the cactus may be sending . " A spiky cactus gives off ' stay put away ' or protective vibes — which is totally appropriate and helpful in many situations , " Cho explicate . However if your situation changes , you may want to move or give the cactus away . " mayhap you notice that you ’re quick to day of the month and you have a vast thriving cactus in your passion corner . So when you ’re quick , mayhap it can move elsewhere or you may gift it to someone else in want of its support , " Cho suggests .
8. Confusion With Applying the Feng Shui Bagua
One of the most well known cock in feng shui is called the bagua . While it may be a important tool , Cho stresses that it ’s not the only shaft you’re able to use . " If you have acomplicated flooring planit ’s all hunky-dory to not use it , " she say . To deflect mental confusion with applying the bagua , she repeat that it ’s important not to meld and rival different feng shui schools and suggestions . " It ’s helpful to just work with one Quran , expert , or tip and take after their guideline , " she aver . " Because there are many school , each one may apply it otherwise and likely struggle , therefore obscure you . "
9. Worrying About Bad Feng Shui
Lastly , Cho say you should n’t worry too much about bad feng shui . " It ’s leisurely to get in the weed and start to worry about everything that is ' bad ' about your base and life , " she says . She explains that the foundation of the feng shui didactics is build up upon non - duality , like yin and yang , and notes that ' ripe ' and ' risky ' are two face of the same coin .
" Sometimes we may be pull in to a space that had ' bad ' feng shui , but it was really what we call for ; or maybe it part to exacerbate a combat injury that is ripe to mend , " Cho say . The Francis Scott Key is that it ’s not a one - sizing - fits - all thing when it derive to feng shui : " What is bad for someone may be life - changingly unspoiled for someone else , " Cho says .
