What do you know about Feng Shui? I had heard about this ancient Asian practice through my sister, and I wanted to understand better the relationship between our surroundings and the energy we feel at home. So, I interviewed Ashlina Kaposta, an expert practitioner who also happens to be a realtor. Get comfortable as you watch this interview and learn a few basic tips that any non-Feng Shui practitioners can apply in their homes. 

You will be glad to know that, just like the KonMari method (in this post), Feng Shui teaches that both designing our interiors and choosing what to bring in are strongly related to what makes us happy and what works with our individual lifestyles.

What exactly is Feng Shui and how does it relate to our interiors?

‘Feng’ refers to the “wind” which represents intention and the unseen. On the other hand, ‘Shui’ refers to “water” and the tangible objects that can be moved around in a space. Thus, Feng Shui is the art of joining thoughts and intentions as we move things around our homes. Said in simpler terms, Feng Shui aims to:

• Letting positive energy enter the home and flow smoothly throughout the house without any blockages.
• Removing negativity in our lives by getting rid of items that may bring the wrong vibes into our spaces. 

Mirrors, Plants, and Colors

I had heard that mirrors are powerful forces in the world of Feng Shui creating ‘excitable energy’, so I was happy to understand this concept better. Ashlina explains that when deciding where to hang mirrors, we should also take into consideration what else is reflecting on them, aside from ourselves. Placing them in front of a beautiful painting or fresh plants can reflect their beauty and energy back to us. 

Plants are just as important! They are living organisms and as such, they bring in good energy by helping us relax, adding a sense of peace, and cleaning the air within our walls. If you are a “brown thumb” like me, don’t worry! There is no need to force yourself into having live plants at home, especially if caring for them is more troublesome than the benefits they bring. You may use artificial plants if the objective is to bring color and texture and not as a replacement of live flowers. 

Addressing colors is more complicated, especially when looking at the Bagua map, but Ashlina advises against going overboard. Practicing Feng Shui can be as simple as changing the motif of the decor to a dominant color that follows the energy you are looking for.  For example, if you want your bedroom to be a place focused on your well-being, choose yellow, a color associated with the sun, cheerfulness, light, and freshness. Doing so can be as simple as adding a featured wall, a large painting on your walls, and pops of color in the form of pillowcases or accessories.

Let the good vibes enter in.

Our front door is where the energy comes into our homes, or like Ashlina said, it is “where opportunities come in”. And the best way to attract the right kind of energy is with a clean slate. The following are simple steps that we can all apply today:

1. Clean your front door and its surrounding windows, repair any broken moldings, remove old stickers or signs, oil the hinges, and shine the hardware.

2. Place a new doormat and while you are at it, try layering the mats for a more stylish look.

3. Install a new outdoor light or clean the one that you already have. Even the simple act of changing any dead lightbulbs is already a step in the right direction.

4. Add plants and flowers to your front entrance too. They will freshen up the space and will immediately bring you joy as you approach your home.

5. Change or refresh any exterior house numbers as well. Dust them off and remove any debris or cobwebs. Follow up with a good polishing.

6. If there are rails, columns, or any other type of decorative elements, clean them up or give them a new coat of paint.

You will be amazed at what these 6 steps would do to improve the curb appeal AND attract positivity into your home. So there you have it, Feng Shui tips that you can apply in one day. Whether you decide to relocate mirrors, add plants, or a pop of the right color, or even give your entrance a deep cleaning, I encourage you to be intentional about loving your home today. Don’t wait for the perfect time, the perfect budget, or the perfect style to make changes that will serve you and your family better. Your “future self” will thank you.