Feng Shui Tips

Choosing the Right Furniture in a Feng Shui Space

2012-01-09T17:30:00.000-08:00

The walls are painted, the carpet is in, but what color furniture should you add to your home to ensure that it fits with the Feng Shui feel? Often times the furniture is the main focus of your room, so choosing the right color can be an overwhelming task, especially when following the five elements Feng Shui theory. Here are some tips for choosing the right furniture color that is going to have you peaceful and decoratively content in no time.

#1 – Choose Something That Lasts

A bold pattern on more than a few pieces of furniture can more often than not be too much, and you can easily start to feel as though your room has become dated. Choose Feng Shui colors according to the energy you need. One tip is to choose a neutral sofa and then add one or two accent pieces representing your favorite elements. Think fire for passion and energy, metal materials for clarity, and wood for vitality. A harmonious Feng Shui water element will bring a refreshing calm to the area, while a strong earth element in your home can help create a sense of stability. By splurging on the furniture that’s most important to the room as a whole, you will feel good about both the quality and tranquility of the new additions.

#2 – Texture Over Patterns

If you want something that is going to stand out, but you are not necessarily looking for your Grandma’s flower print couch, choose furniture with texture instead of color. In many cases, you can find a couch with fabric that has tone on tone patterns, allowing it to appear neutral, having the ability to blend with the rest of your room. While a solid colored piece of furniture may seem plain, look for one with textures, such as raised lines much like corduroy, which will complement the rest of your living space.

Every room needs balancing by adding varying textures. Think throw pillows,decorative rugs, drapery. In order to have a balanced and comfortable room, combining different textures, shapes and colors is the key. Generally, natural materials like cotton, silk and wool attract better chi than synthetics. Find what textures work for you, and follow your natural instinct from there.

#3 – Be Cautious Of Variation

While Microsuede is currently the ‘in’ fabric, it can be easily manipulated, meaning that the color of the furniture actually changes when you touch it. When choosing a microfiber couch, or other fabric that causes the same effect, make sure you like the color of the fabric no matter which way it is brushed up against. If you’re in the market for new furniture, you should be prepared with the many unique models you’ll face when shopping. Do some research and have an idea of what you want beforehand. With a clear image of what interests you, you’re less likely to make what could be a costly decision on a whim.

#4 – Check Out The Hardware

There are several pieces of furniture, particularly modern sofas that have extra details, such as nail head trim or wood feet. It is important to make sure those elements match with the rest of your room, just as the color of the couch or other pieces of furniture. There are also some pieces of furniture with silver legs, and your room may be accented with gold. Be sure to look at this aspect of your furniture, because although it may not seem to stand out in the showroom, once you add it to your living space, it could become an unexpected eyesore.
Feng Shui accents should include good quality, smooth edges and proper placement. No detail is too small to affect the energy flow in a room. Difficulties can often be cured by placing and rearranging objects within the space. Get a second opinion, consider the thoughts of your friends and family. Sometimes seeing something through the eyes of another can help establish a clear view.

#5 – Don’t Forget The Pillows

Pillows that accompany couches when you purchase them often come in outrageous patterns or obnoxious colors. However, do not let this deter you from purchasing a particular couch, which you know will match your decor. There’s no design problem that can’t be fixed with a little ingenuity. Pillows can be recovered or replaced for only a few dollars. Additional accessories can be found that harbor Feng Shui meaning and symbolism.
For a quick Feng Shui decorating fix-up, turn to accessories and Chinese symbols sure to bring harmony in your home. In the midst of decorating or revamping a space, it can be difficult to imagine the tranquil area of your dreams. But with a bit of patience, and the Feng Shui guidebook in mind, you’ll be relaxing in no time.

About The Author:

Josh Thompson is a blogger and writer for all things related to the art of interior design. He also works for LuxeYard, a new community for group discounts on luxury furniture.

Setting the Scene on Your Patio Using Feng Shui

2012-01-09T16:15:00.000-08:00

You want your patio experience to be as relaxing for yourself as it is for your guests. It’s no surprise that many designers turn to Feng Shui techniques for a tranquil home display. This technique is a marriage of your surroundings with your personal items to accentuate easy flow and connection to nature. Good design following the principles for what you desire will feel good to you on a visceral level when you spend time in your sacred space.

Take stock of your current patio furnishings. Less is definitely more when it comes to designing in respect to Feng Shui. You want all pieces of furniture to have plenty of space around them for easy mobility and access. Think about how your guests will move through the space when you entertain. Remove anything that impedes traffic through the patio. Also, toss out anything broken or not in the best condition, as these items can be unsettling and interfere with the positive energy you are trying to emphasize.

You can draw from natural elements by enhancing the sights and sounds of nature, which are key tools in Feng Shui design. If you are in a busy metropolitan area, for example, a fountain can add the soothing sounds of water to mask the sound of traffic. Metal fountains, in particular, can add not only visual interest, but also make the sound of running water resonate as the liquid hits the surface.

Low lights, such as paper lanterns or discreet solar patio lights, can add just a hint of illumination to blend in perfectly with moonlight. Study the principles of Feng Shui to discover more about what you want to bring into your life. You can emphasize elements tied to money, harmony or happiness with your particular design and placement of items. Even the shape of a table can make a difference to the space’s energy, or chi. Any interruption of your patio space’s chi can bring misfortune, according to certain interpretations of these principles. Always focus on flowing energy as you decide what to keep and what you can live without on your patio.

The direction your garden paths leading from the patio can have a profound effect under the principles of Feng Shui, and you will want proper guidance in making these determinations to best fit your space and needs.

Take care with mirrored gazing balls and potted plants, for example, as they can interrupt the flow of energy if placed incorrectly. Keep in mind that the patio design needs to flow and offer harmonious, uninterrupted space with everything clean and in good working condition. A broken down trash bin, for example, will interrupt this energy and conflict with the cleanliness aspect of your design. Proper handling of seemingly mundane details, such as trash storage, can go a long way to help keep the energy pure in your space. A Feng Shui expert in interior design can be helpful to you as you sort out your life’s priorities in relation to your patio design.

Feng Shui your Kitchen for a Healthy Home

2012-01-04T03:51:00.000-08:00

It’s been said that your kitchen is the feng shui part of your home that ‘nourishes and sustains life’ and it is a symbol of wealth and prosperity, so why not put a little time and effort into making your kitchen as homely as you feel? From the lighting, to the food you buy to the kitchen cabinet doors feng shui is used to make your life more fulfilled.

The rules of feng shui say that you shouldn’t have your kitchen close to your front or back door as feng shui energy can easily escape, keeping the energy in your kitchen and home is important as it leads to a good spirited chef who will put good spirited meals on the table for a happy family. The food you eat gives you energy, so the food needs to be prepared in a well organised kitchen with balanced flow of feng shui energy. It is said that good nutrition is good feng shui and that is why people add organic foods to their diet. Fresh foods and vegetables have a high nutritional value and offer healing qualities that your body needs.

Your kitchen cupboard doors should be made from a light coloured wood as this allows warmth into your home; in fact your entire kitchen should be warm and welcoming with no clutter and a simple design, fresh flowers and a fruit bowl allow for an uplifting energy.

Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, it is where you feed your family, and a healthy kitchen allows a healthy family. Make sure you follow some simple feng shui rules for a happy and fulfilled kitchen.

Feng-shui Your Dorm - Free Those Restricted Spaces

2012-01-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

Feng Shui is no longer a term that is confined just to the Asian practice, it has become a common household name in many parts of the world. It is functional not only for people who live in a house, but for apartment occupants as well. Not many can afford living in huge mansions or big bungalows. No matter how small the size of the living area, there are easy and feasible options by which you can transform and get positive energy in your place. With the right research you can achieve it without having to spend a lot of money and time. In this article, you will learn how to Feng Shui your space restricted apartment with ease.

Tips for Dorms or Space Restricted Rooms

To begin with the space is a major constraint from a design perspective but feng shui can do wonders to the small area. You have to make changes and activate specific areas that an individual wants to enhance in your life.

First things first, the bed needs to be placed in the right area. You have to make a demarcation in the living area and the work area in that limited space only. My best advice would be to place it near the wall and not under a window.

Drape a lovely piece of fabric from the ceiling or erect a beautiful folding screen half way around the bed - compartmentalize your sleeping quarters in a lavish way. This will allow good chi' to flow throughout the small space. The room will appear spacious using this technique, even though it is not.
While designing bear in mind that the whole area is proportionately furnished; do not de-clutter from one end and add it to the other. Keep the balance theory in mind and you can never go wrong.
Make sure the door is not facing the elevator or a long hallway.
Create an illusion with the use of mirrors to expand the room area more than it is.

As a result when you apply feng shui living room and house tips, you are sending best vibes to you and your loved ones. Now you can lay back, relax and feel blessed in every way possible. Make the right changes and you will be surprised at the results in your life.

About the Author: Mary has been freelancing as a guest writer for quite some years. "I like to share my opinions and connect with like minded individuals online about various topics." Mary's other interests include popular topics like Art & Home Design. Mary is also passionate about writing, careers, HR, and the freelance world. She is currently promoting these Professional Resumes, You can check out the latest resume blog for some great resume / CV tips.

A Feng Time to Shui the Bedroom Furniture

2011-12-19T08:55:00.000-08:00

Fenging Fun with Oak Bedroom Furniture

Your bedroom should be a place of rest and relaxation and that is why you are going to want to make sure that the furniture in this room has been chosen well. Obviously the main focal point of any bedroom is going to be the bed, but it is also nice to have other fabulous furniture that will make you want to spend time in this room. A lot of people these days will go for wooden furniture and oak furniture is hugely popular. So what kind of furniture would look great in your bedroom?

When it comes to the bed, you can choose to have a wooden bed frame as this will look fantastic with the other furniture that you choose. However, there are many other types of bed frame that you can choose such as faux leather, metal or faux suede for example.

An oak chest of drawers is a beautiful choice in any bedroom. This will give you a place to put clothes and other items as well as a place for storage on top if you wish.

Oak wardrobes will really complete the look and will give a warm, homely feel to your bedroom.

Feng Shui Tip: The Benefits of Natural Oak in Your Home

2011-11-11T07:11:00.000-08:00

You don't need to rearrange the furniture in your home to get a good vibe. Using natural woods, such as oak or pine can help turn your home into a calm and relaxing environment.

Style
Unvarnished, natural wood matches any decor. For example, an oak sideboard will look great in a classic or modern setting and will stand the test of time. Oak furniture especially creates a great canvas to work with. Oak comes in many different neutral shades and when decorating your home provides a perfect backdrop for coloured candles, and decorations.

Sustainable
Natural oak, pine and ash are usually cut from sustainable sources. This means that when you add wood furniture to your house you know you are being environmentally friendly as the trees are regrown. This is in contrast to more modern furniture materials, such as MDF - which is often finished with a plastic veneer.

Easy to care for
Once properly polished, oak and other wood furniture will last for years with the minimum of care. Once a year it is advised to feed your wood furniture with a wood polish to ensure that the wood doesn't dry out. The advantage of natural wood furniture over modern alternatives is that even the deepest scratches can be polished out.

Feng Shui The Expensive Cost of Bathrooms

2011-11-11T07:10:00.000-08:00

Even if buying cheap bathroom suites, remodelling your bathroom can be an expensive business. Here are some low cost tips to feng shui away the cost of a new bathroom to a minimum.

Shop online
If you have measured your bathroom and know exactly what kind of bathroom suite you require, then shopping online can save you a fortune. Many online bathroom stores are cheaper than their traditional counterparts and bathrooms are often heavily discountied. Cheap bathroom suites can often be found when manufacturers have end of line or clearance sales.

If you do not know what sort of bathroom suite you are looking for then shopping online can give you ideas. You may even pick up a bargain whilst you are shopping!

DIY bathroom
Installing a new bathroom suite isn't as difficult as it seems. Unless you want a custom bathroom or have a difficult space to fill then you may not need a plumber. You can also save money by buying a cheap bathroom suite yourself and then asking your local plumber to do the final installation. This method is often cheaper than buying a bathroom suite from a store and using their fitting service.

Finish the decor yourself
When remodelling your bathroom, once you have installed the main fixtures, such as the bath, toilet, shower and sink you can save money by doing the finishing touches yourself. Tiling is easy to do on a small bathroom and may not need to cover a big area. Adding those extra accessories, such as shower curtains or doors, toilet seats etc. is not as hard as it seems.

Lighting the Feng Shui Path - Flow Chi' Through Your French Wooden Doors

2011-11-01T08:48:00.000-07:00

Do you love remodelling and decorating your home? Thinking of letting the light in with a skylight? Think again! Why not consider a beautiful set of wooden french doors to flood your bedroom with glorious morning light instead? An amazing feature to help spread good chi’ throughout the home! Doors in the home act as energy valves much akin to the blood gateways thoruogh the veins of the human body. Doors can block or stifle chi', or oversely release it allowing it to flow through you're home invigorating every facet.

These lovely style of doors originate from the later French Renaissance era and are famous for their multi-window design. French doors are conveniently fit for both interior as well as exterior doorways.

Working with a limited amount of space in your rooms? Doors of this style work wonders to open up a small space and provide a beautiful partition at the same time enhancing your sense of well being and allowing energy to woosh through every gaping opening. Adding a gorgeous set of wooden french doors to the inside or outside of your home is a relatively affordable way to increase the value of your house and add to its aesthetic appeal as well.

Don't forget about all the natural light that they will let in, reducing your overall energy use and offering an efficient passageway for the sun's light. Absorb that chi’ from the cosmos and smile with bliss.

Feeling Feng Shui - Underfloor Heating Zen

2011-11-01T08:38:00.000-07:00

There is nothing worse than stepping out from a hot morning shower onto an icy cold bathroom floor that rudely ends your morning relaxation.

You know exactly the feeling I refer to. It's that moment that your warm, wet foot touches that freezing bathroom tile and knocks the wind right out of you!

Ever considered underfloor heating to solve this unpleasant daily fact of life? This type of heating is ideal for bathroom spaces and is relatively simple to install yourself or have professionally installed by a contractor in no time at all.

Sounds great, right? So about how much are we looking at total for underfloor heating cost? Depending on the size of your bathroom or other area, the typical range is somewhere between £10,000-£12,000 including installation.

Not only is this one efficient method of heating your home and its cold surfaces, but it also adds a valuable asset to your home and increases its worth if you decide to sell in the future.

Be the Envy of Your Friends with One of the Solid Oak Kitchens

2011-10-28T07:09:00.001-07:00

There is nothing quite like genuine solid wood to provide an air of quality and comfort to any home. Whether you live in a modern property or a listed building solid oak kitchens will give you the country look that everyone with envy. You can choose warm, polished oak or if you want a lighter look plain oak that has simply been sealed and where you can see the true beauty of the wood. You will get solid oak kitchen units much more cheaply if you decide to install it yourself. You may need the help of professionals when it comes to things like dismantling and putting in a gas cooker and anything to do with gas or electricity. Nowadays equipment and wiring have to be installed or at least checked by a person who is Corgi registered. If you don’t have a Corgi certificate for your installations then you could be breaking the law.

Most people love the idea of solid oak kitchens and visualise a large, homely space with plenty of copper bottomed saucepans suspended from the ceiling or hung on the walls. When it comes to splash backs and work tops, granite looks great in light oak kitchens but if you prefer dark oak then you may want to think about contrasting work tops and splash backs. Why not get one of the solid oak kitchens installed and be the envy of all your friends.

e-Decking Ideas - Make use of unusable garden slopes and inclines

2011-10-28T07:08:00.000-07:00

e-Decking Ideas - Think about how you can really make use of that wasted space resulting from eroded banks and poor landscape foundations that cause ugly slopes and drainage in the back garden. You need to feng shui that uphill garden and put a paper bag on the head of that tarnished garden space. It's easy! Top Garden Feng Shui Tip: Make use of unusable slopes and inclines in the back garden with a clever use of decking materials!

Decking is a great way to spruce up your garden and to provide a separate space for al fresco dining. If you are lucky enough to have a fair sized back garden then you might welcome some decking ideas that will make it uniquely your own. Not all gardens are flat or square and some of them have a steep incline, which generally means that area of the garden is wasted. Some quick and easy decking ideas will mean that the space you thought was a lost cause could actually be a great spot to start with. If you do plan on having a deck in a sloping area then it’s a good idea to consult a professional to find out what is needed. You may need information on building codes and planning restrictions. Decking doesn’t usually need permission but councils differ on this so it’s always a good idea to check before you buy any materials.

If you have a garden that is fairly regular in size and shape then you might want to put some decking at one end. A lot of people now have water features in their gardens and often put these close to the decking area from where they get a good view of the rest of the garden. If you have French windows then you may want to consider having your decking right outside rather than up the other end of the garden. If your garden is quite small then you could build a triangular shaped deck in one corner rather than something that stretched the whole of your garden. It’s worth taking a look online to find some more decking ideas for your home.

Tiffany Lights | Art Nouveau | Art Deco | The influence of Louis Comfort Tiffany

2011-10-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

There are fashions in lighting just as there are fashions or fads with most other things. The kind of lighting that you have in your home can either add to or spoil the interior of your home. For a number of years Tiffany lights have been extremely popular, largely because of trends towards Art Nouveau and Art Deco styling. Tiffany, was actually Louis Comfort Tiffany was an American who designed windows, glass mosaics, jewellery and lamps. By the turn of the nineteenth century, Tiffany had made a name for himself among elite New York socialites as a designer of merit. The artist was commissioned to undertake some work in the White House he installed new designs in several of the rooms and redecorated and painted them. Part of his design plan for the Whitehouse was to use brightly patterned glass shades for gas lamps, and these shades became known as Tiffany lights.

In 1885 Tiffany had become sufficiently wealthy to start his own glass making company and by 1902 the firm was known as the Tiffany studios. The designer built a further studio in 1893, eventually named the Tiffany glass furnaces. Tiffany used brightly coloured, opalescent glass to give the appearance of stained glass, and the first Tiffany lights date back to 1895 – the beginning of the Art Nouveau movement and enjoyed further popularity in the Art Deco period.