Declutter Your Home with Feng Shui

Spring clean-up is right around the corner, causing people like me to enter into a clean up, de-clutter frenzy that usually leaves our home cleaner and more free of junk – well, for a while. Soon before I know it that chair and broken shelf I threw out in April has only been replaced with some other item, much to my chagrin.

A couple of years ago, I decided to take serious steps to not only de-clutter my home, but to also de-clutter my life. I underwent what I like to call, “Project Feng Shui”.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng shui is a Chinese science and art that is all about bringing the good energy into your living spaces. This ancient practice strives to harmonize both human beings and nature by looking at object arrangements in our bedrooms, kitchens, and even our basements and offices at work.

Why does it Matter if I Declutter?

In feng shui, everything has its place. If it doesn’t now, it certainly will after you undergo the process. Having toys, articles of clothing, boxes, books… if any of these things are strewn about the house and even blocking doorways is also blocking the flow of positive energy. Placing items back where they belong is essential if you want to truly benefit from nature’s “chi”.

So where do I Start?

Start the clean up process by acknowledging that everything should have a place to go (and no, on the coffee table is not good enough). If your child, for example, has a lot of toys and no chests or bins to place them in, invest in some. If you throw your dirty clothes on the floor and wait until laundry day to pick them up, buy a hamper or laundry basket to hold them. It’s all about everything having a place and putting it there.

Here are some other basics about starting with feng shui in your home:

• • Bathroom: The bathroom must be clean and the door should be closed at all times. There’s a belief that negative energy is contained within the bathroom, so closing the door acts as a barrier to this negative energy
• • Bedroom: Where your bed is placed within your bedroom is incredibly important. Though the placement of one’s bed will differ from person to person, a general rule is that the headboard MUST be against the wall, and there must be room to walk around the bed on both sides. To find out where to place your bed, perform a quick Internet search for a “feng shui compass”.
• Your bed also must be about 2 feet away from anything electronic (including speakers) and at least an arm’s length away from the television. And remember: nothing can be on the floor and everything must be in its place. The bedroom is definitely a place where you want the positive “chi” flowing!
• • Kitchen: General rule for kitchens is that any “water” appliance not be directly opposite to the stove (a “fire” object) due to these two elements clashing. It is believed that because of this clash, fights may flare up in what is usually the heart of any home. If at all possible, move your washing machine, dishwasher or refrigerator if this is the case.

The goal with feng shui is to choose on aspect of it at a time and work on it. Do that and it will help you rebalance your house as well as your life.

photo by Fleur Suijten