I’ve recently purchased a small two-bedroom flat with a balcony. In total, the flat is less than 500 sq ft, but I bought it because it’s in a great location.
I eventually want to update the kitchen and bathroom, but I’ll only be able to get major works done once my savings pot recovers a bit.
In the meantime, I’ve become interested in the concept of feng shui and I wonder if it could help my small home feel well put-together.
What are the principles of feng shui and how could I start applying these to my flat?
Feeling zen? A This is Money reader wants to introduce feng shui into a small flat
Jane Denton, of This is Money, replies: If the kitchen and bathroom in your flat are liveable, then I think it’s sensible not to rush into making any immediate costly upgrades, particularly if your savings have taken a serious hit.
Let’s turn to feng shui. This is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging spaces and objects to create, in theory, a sense of balance and harmony.
It’s based on the idea that our homes mirror what’s happening inside us.
I’ve spoken to to three experts to explain what feng shui is and outline how you can introduce it to your flat.
Simon Brown, an author and owner of holistic therapies business, Chi Energy, says: Feng shui is the art of creating the ideal living space for individual success.
The process starts with writing out what you would most like to achieve in life whilst you will be living in your new flat.
This could encompass health, relationships, work and career. Next you can start to write down how you want to feel in your flat to achieve these successes. You can be room-specific.
What do you want? Simon Brown authored The Feng Shui Bible book and says you should consider how different rooms can support your personal goals
If sleep is an issue, the bedroom may need to be calm, relaxing and cosy. If you are working from home, the space you use to work may need to be helpful for concentration, focus and getting things done.
Similarly, you might think about what qualities the home might have to support a happy relationship.
Once you know how each room will serve you best you can explore practical solutions with regard to colours, materials, art and furniture.
Colours that help you feel calm, soothing images and soft fabrics might help with a bedroom.
If you want to feel more lively in your living room, then brighter colours, stimulating art and wood surfaces may work better for you.
For a happy relationship keeping objects in pairs can help you feel more positive. For example two plants in the same pot, two candles together, two flowers in a vase, along with romantic images and statues.
Generally, the more indoor plants the better as these help engage with our parasympathetic nervous system in a way that helps us be more healthy, calm, creative and solution orientated.
Similarly, when arranging furniture try to think where the best place for you is in a room.
We normally suggest having your back to a wall, facing into the room, ideally with a view to your window and if possible the door.
Finally, try to celebrate your new home. Give it a good clean, invite people round and really enjoy the process of making it the ideal home for you future successes.
Anything positive you do in your home like yoga, meditation, socialising cooking, creativity or relaxing will feed into positive associations with your home that will tend to carry you through any challenging times.
Jackie Tyrrell, who runs Feng Shui Pathway and is a member of The Feng Shui Society, says: By applying some basic feng shui principals into your living space you can encourage positive energy into your environment and in turn create a balanced and harmonious atmosphere for your home.
There are few things you can do that are not expensive, and it may just mean making a few adjustments.
The priority when using feng shui in any situation is to keep clutter to a minimum.
In the know: Jackie Tyrrell, runs Feng Shui Pathway
This will be especially important if space is at a premium. Being clutter-free will allow the energy to flow in a positive way and with some feng shui tips you can correct any imbalances or blockages in your home.
The entry to the home should be kept tidy, clean and clutter-free to create a welcoming feeling, not only for the people visiting you but also to embrace the positive energy which you are encouraging into your home.
Take care when placing furniture. Allow movement to flow easily. If you can walk freely around your home without bumping into things then that is a good indicator that the energy will flow well too.
If you can get your bed into the ‘command position’ – that is have a good view of the door and a solid wall behind that will provide good support for you.
This will also be useful for a desk in an office or when cooking in the kitchen as it means you can get a good view of anyone coming in through the door which helps you feel at ease on a subconscious level.
Keep colours light to encourage an uplifting and airy feeling. Healthy plants can also provide an enhanced energy and encourage gentle movement of positive energy. Mirrors can be helpful to lighten up dark areas and clever use of natural lighting can encourage good energy flow.
Feng shui works with the five elements which are fire, earth, metal, water and wood and by using the associated qualities, colours, and shapes you can use this system to enhance your home even more.
Keep your outside space neat and tidy and in the case of a balcony use the opportunity to encourage more qi (another word for force or energy) flow into your home with the placement of some decorative plants and maybe create a space where you can sit and relax.
You will be amazed how these simple feng shui principles can help you feel more comfortable and supported in your home and help improve your health and wellbeing.
Dr Michael Oon, a consultant in traditional feng shui, says: For your flat, ensure there is a clear passage of energy from the building door to the main door of the property.
When there is an unobstructed or easier passage of energy to the main door, more energy can be accumulated within the flat. Energy can also enter the property from the balcony.
Knowledge: Dr Michael Oon is a consultant in traditional feng shui and says the flat should be kept neat and inviting
Within the flat, make sure the entrance hall is clear of obstructions. It is best to keep it neat and inviting for visitors. Ensure there is no clutter on the floor so that energy can flow easily to the various parts of the flat.
The two important rooms are the study or where you work and the bedroom.
The study is important as this is where you earn your living. You need energy to make good, relevant decisions.
Hang a board on the wall by your desk showing your aims or targets clearly. Do not look back at your past achievements. You want to look forward to getting where you want to be.
Sit in a position, where possible, with the wall behind you. This symbolises support, which is vital for your work. Keep your desk tidy and well-organised. This is a reflection of your thoughts and the way you think.
The bedroom is where you spend at least one-third of your life. This is where your body and mind get well-rested to recover from the day’s stresses and prepare for the next day.
Fit the bed with a solid headboard. Place the bed against the wall. Where possible, have bedside tables to store the various items that accumulate over time.
A pastel shade is preferred for the bedroom. It should not be striking, like black or red!
The bathroom and the kitchen are lower priorities. However, depending on their condition, refurbishing them can be a good idea. You have to be comfortable in your own home.
In the bathroom, try keeping the toilet seat down to minimise the energy leakage from the flat.
The kitchen should be kept neat, as it is a place for food preparation. Food and water are vital necessities for life.
Do not have the cooker adjacent to the sink. Fire and water do not mix.
As a general comment, try to keep the flat neat and tidy as much as possible. Avoid clutter, as it hinders the flow of energy throughout the flat.
