One principle is always at the heart of feng shui practices—to live in harmony with a space. The goal is to understand the flow of energy, how to attract positive forces, and how to reinforce existing good vibrations. If these steps are successful, then a home’s residents will flourish and they will enjoy an environment that is peaceful, beneficial, restorative, and welcoming.
When we move into a new home, it can be difficult to achieve that perfect balance when it comes to different energies and flows. This is especially true for renters who may be limited in terms of their freedom to modify a space as they wish as they pursue a harmonious and healthy environment that is aligned with feng shui teachings. There are some basic steps, however, that will improve a home without requiring any dramatic architectural interventions. They involve only some interior decoration choices and reinforcing the roles of certain parts of the home.
A home’s entryway should be a restful place for both owners and visitors.
The Entryway
The importance of a home’s entrance in feng shui is a topic we have discussed many times. When you move into a new home, addressing this space should be at the top of your to-do list—and it may be necessary to change it completely to achieve an ideal flow of energy. You will want to remove old pictures, furniture that feels worn or dated, and dark paint—a serious mistake in any foyer. You’ll want to make these changes as soon as possible.
Your goal is an entrance hall that is well lit, spacious, clean, and tidy. It is important to create a space with a harmonious feeling since all the vibrations in your home will flow through this space. A plant, a side table, and a lamp are enough to create a welcoming entrance hall. It's all in the accessories and the colours you choose and how you take care of your door. You will want to wash it every week and always make sure that the locks and hinges are not damaged. If you want to go further in assuring that you have good energy, you can add some charms.
According to feng shui teachings, it’s essential in a new house to assure that the five elements are in balance.
Keeping The Five Elements In Balance
When you start to decorate your new home, you’ll need to keep in mind the importance of assuring that the five elements of feng shui—wood, earth, fire, water, and metal—are in balance. To achieve this you’ll want to consider the colours you use on your walls, the material and design of your furniture, the types and number of plants, floor coverings, lighting, and how you emphasise the purpose of each room.
The five elements of feng shui should all be equally present—without any one of them either dominating over others or being subordinate to them. A good place to start is by considering the basic—and not so basic—functions you require of your house. Do you need, or want, a reading corner, an exercise room, a study, or an office, to pick a few examples? The balance of the different elements will vary somewhat depending on the role of a particular space, and this will determine the materials and colours you use. As you perform this inventory of your home, you’ll also want to consider whether you need to correct any bad vibes or energy left behind by the previous residents.
According to feng shui, you should perform a thorough and general cleaning when you move into a new space.
A Clean And Well-Lighted Home
Cleanliness and tidiness are key pillars of good feng shui. In any new and unfamiliar space, you will want to perform an energy cleansing. This can take the form of walking through the home with a smudge stick, some incense, or cleaning each room either with salt water or a mixture of vinegar and water. The process will help you collect negative energy and help your new space recognise you and adapt to your energy.
You’ll want to pay careful attention to lighting both for its impact on the energy in your home, but also because of its impact on your health. The wrong lighting choices can cause a lack of rest, insomnia, headaches, irritability, depression, and other mental and emotional disorders. Natural light is best, and then also assure that you can control the lighting so its intensity is appropriate for every situation. Pay special attention to lighting at your home’s entrance and in its bedrooms.
Another important recommendation that feng shui experts suggest is removing any negative elements in the home and replacing them with your own personal objects.
Keep It Personal
Once you have the foundations of your new home in place, it’s time to add your personal touch so that the space starts to feel like your own home and it also begins to recognise you as its new inhabitant. Accessories and decorative items should reflect your personality but they should also be consistent with feng shui teachings. That is, they should help you achieve a sense of balance and harmony.
When looking for objects for your home, in addition to picking ones that simply brighten the atmosphere, you will want ones that provide protection and emit good energies, such as plants, paintings of landscapes, and photos that evoke joyful and happy moments. Don’t overdo it, however. When you leave some space free, you are communicating to the universe that you are open to abundance and good fortune. Remember the basics, and also think about items that don’t serve any important role and instead merely contribute to clutter.
Perhaps most important when moving into a new home is embracing the opportunity that this moment offers. You can now reinvent yourself and start afresh, using the wisdom of feng shui to create your own tranquil sanctuary.