FENG SHUI

Feng Shui is one of the oldest design ideas around. The ancient study of 'good energy flow' (literal translation) is so integral to eastern design that it is considered at every single design stage and can sometimes drastically change year to year. The aim of Feng Shui simply is the understanding of how we live, and how we connect with the spaces we inhabit. The main focus is the wellbeing of every single occupier, controlling the flow of energy surrounding us to create calming and relaxing spaces - the very best spaces you can make in your home. Like all ancient ideas though, Feng Shui in its truest form can be very complicated, incorporating studies of astronomy, philosophy, physics and astrology, but (like all the best design ideas) it is quite easy to take individual aspects and apply them to your own home, creating calming and relaxing spaces that really improve both your home and your wellbeing.

Feng Shui can be as light a touch as arranging furniture, moving the placement of your bed or sofa, thinking about how the colours you paint the walls are affecting your mood, storing away your clutter or bring nature indoors ...

A really simple starting exercise is to evaluate the energy flow of your house.

Close your eyes and imagine a tidal wave of water bursting through your front door. Which way does the water flow? How does it twist and turn into each room? Even though you may not notice it, this is usually the route that first your eye line and then your feet will follow. How long does it take for the water to get to your living room, your kitchen, your bedroom? Are there any corners that escape and stay dry? Is there any power left in the water by the time it gets to your 'important' spaces or has it been thoroughly diffused by clutter or furniture on the path?

By exploring this technique, you can begin to build up a picture of your home... where there might be problem areas in hallways or corridors ... which rooms are gathering lots of energy and which are not getting any... how your clutter or piles of stuff are acting as a barrier. It also might start bringing to light how underused certain spaces are. Is there a more natural flow of movement around each room that you have ignored?

Once you have visualised the torrent of water, you should be able to draw up a little route map of your house. It doesn't need to be fancy or complicated, but can be a very effective way of really unleashing your home's potential. I do one for almost all the projects I work on, including my own home and it still brings up some surprises! Moving house in particular can be a very overwhelming with lots of decisions to make in quick succession, but if you just set aside 5 minutes to track the energy flow it sometimes makes the decisions about living rooms (high energy spaces) and bedrooms or offices (low energy spaces) that little bit simpler.

Now you have a clear guide to your home and the energy levels of every space. From this point you can start to make some exciting decisions. Are there any pockets of quiet and calm around the house where you can sneak a little reading corner? I find a big armchair and lots of books is a guaranteed way to top up my self-care levels!

When you really start to feel connected to your home and understand it how it works around you, it's possible to feel a whole new level of calm and wellbeing that perhaps you didn't even realise was missing.

Written by Annabel @bambledesign

You can find more great posts and information from Annabel on her website and her Instagram.