Feng shui is the well-loved practice of arranging living spaces in a way that promotes balance and harmony with natural elements to improve an individual’s livelihood. The meaning of the name comes from the Chinese words ‘’feng,’’ meaning wing, and ‘’shui,’’ meaning water, connecting human life and the environment we surround ourselves in.

In this article, we discuss how self storage can help to improve your feng shui at home and how it can have a positive effect on your life in the new year!

Declutter every room

Every home improvement begins with a declutter. Decluttering every room of things you no longer need or perhaps items you don’t always use can make a huge difference – and using self storage can help make the decluttering a lot easier and less stressful.

What do you see when you enter your home? The front door is where energy enters your home, so ensuring it’s welcoming and free of mess is essential. Bringing light and greenery to the doorway can hugely improve positive energy as you enter and leave the house. A home entrance sets the entire tone for the property!

Light

Great lighting is crucial for a happy home. Natural light from windows is key, but for artificial circumstances, it’s better to focus on warm lights rather than cold, blue tones. In smaller homes, mirrors can help make a space feel bigger and reflect light in darker spaces.

However, mirrors also reflect energy, and it’s important to consider their placement carefully. Avoid having mirrors directly across your bed, as this is believed to bounce energy away rather than create positive vibrations.

Balance elements

There are five elements in feng shui: fire, earth, water, metal and wood. All of these elements together build a stable, heartwarming home, whether it’s candles, plants or plenty of wooden furniture and mirrors in the correct placements.

Fix furniture faux pas

Furniture can affect the flow of energy more than you might think. While something might fit the room aesthetically, that doesn’t necessarily mean it will bring harmony to your home. With feng shui, there are rules to follow for optimum living. Avoid sharp-edged pieces and opt for rounded furniture – this will create a more calming atmosphere. Natural materials are also welcomed, bringing in the favourable earth element.

Colour coordination

Colours are a huge part of feng shui and are believed to influence energy and increase well-being in our environment. Each colour belongs to one of the five elements – fire, earth, wood, water and metal, and these all connect with different areas of life. For example, red is associated with fire as it brings passion and love to your life!

Invite outside nature in

Nature is at the heart of feng shui; bringing the outdoors in by inviting plants and greenery into your home is the first step to harmony. Plants are a natural way to improve air purity, here are just a few that can add a touch of serenity:

Feng shui plants

• Money Tree: The money tree originates from feng shui practices, carrying the belief that it brings positive energy and good luck to the plant owner and space. It requires infrequent watering and is perfect for any living space!
• Pothos: These plants are brilliant for naturally purifying the air, and are equally low maintenance – great for beginners wanting to up their feng shui game without the fear of dying greenery!
• Jade Plant: Jade Plants bring good luck and fortune, thriving in sunny areas and bright indoor spaces.

Bed placement

The placement of your bed can impact how well you sleep and your overall well-being. Based on best practice, it’s recommended that you position your bed to have a clear view of the door, without being directly in line with it. This placement supposedly offers a great sense of security and management of your space and avoids the ‘coffin position’ which promotes stress and anxiety!

A headboard is essential, representing support and safety, while leaving both spaces on each side open provides the perfect balance of yin and yang.

Better living spaces with Apex Self Storage

While decluttering is at the forefront of feng shui, hiring a self storage space, whether temporary or permanent,  is essential to home improvement. Get in touch with us today to find out which storage unit is right for you.