There has been much said over recent years about this Chinese science that has existed for many centuries and grew out of a need to interpret Nature a little better with the potential to harness the elements over a period of time to have a more successful life and career (originally for farmers).  Over time, as the theories left China, they altered to reflect the locale in which they were used, until today the art of feng shui allows us to live and work in more comfortable surroundings – it is not however a cure all for all our ills and nor can we expect to become wealthy purely by changing the position of our furniture, the colours on our walls or the number of water features we add to our houses, gardens or places of work. 

Because feng shui is a science there are a set of formulae used by practioners to determine the fall and rise of energy over a given period of time, the best place to sit in an office, where a bed should be positioned etc.  There are a number of ways of approaching this science but it needs to be considered in a holistic way so there is a need to review lifestyle, health etc as well as environment.   

This is explained by the Tao (the Way) which underpins feng shui and yin and yang (the positive and the negative energy forces) work together to create movement, neither should become dominant, however, as this will lead to an imbalance in the forces.  All things have a Chi (a lifeforce) and the use of feng shui endeavours to ensure that the flow of chi is smooth to achieve positive results.  If chi doesn’t move smoothly or is stopped in its tracks difficulties are believed to arise including disharmony, lack of success and sickness. 

There are five elements each of which have specific characteristics. 

Wood – growth, spring – associated with wooden furniture and flooring, landscape pictures and the colour green.  Positive – a walking stick.  Negative – a spear. 

Fire – heat, summer – associated with candles, lights, red, man-made materials and the colour red.  Positive – fair play. Negative – war. 

Earth – the natural environment, supporting life – associated with stone, cement, brick, terracotta and the colours yellow, orange & brown.  Positive – wisdom.  Negative – nervousness. 

Metal – strength, autumn – associated with all metal objects and construction elements, clocks and the colours silver, gold, white.  Positive – communications.  Negative – destruction. 

Water – rain, storms and winter – associated with mirrors, glass, fountains, fish and the colours blue and black.  Positive – understanding.  Negative – stress. 

Ideally, in every locale there should be a balance between these elements. 

Many of the aspects of feng shui are in fact common sense in as much as water can be good in the form of rain as it helps trees to grow, however, too much rain will leading to flooding.  Living where ‘Nature’ is apparent even if this is only in the form of a good local park is good even for those who live in close proximity to their neighbours. 

Whilst a practioner of feng shui would calculate the angles and positions of your house there are a few simple steps you can follow to

1.  consider the room layout in relation to the door and window for the position of a bed or sofa - placing either facing towards a door or window or with the back towards a door or window will disturb the energy lines let alone making entering and exiting the room difficult and watching tv/read a book tricky in bright sunlight.  So unless you are lucky enough to live in a house with barn size rooms aim to place the bed or sofa near to 'protecting' walls.
 

2.  bathrooms should be designed to offer as much privacy as possible for users should an unexpected visitor appear.  By hanging the door so that it opens inner door face into the room rather than opening edge into the main area and by not placing facilities directly next to each other a sense of privacy can be created.  In addition, windows and doors should not ideally be opposite one another (and for modern western standards the glass should be opaque or heavily detailed).

3.  roller blinds at the bathroom and kitchen windows will also assist the flow of energy better than other types of blinds and curtains which either split the light or cut it out completely.

4.  consider whether the room you are working on is working for or against you.  A room that uses completely modern materials (metal,stone etc) and modern artwork will be as equally tormenting as a room completed in a Victorian style with lots of pattern, ornamentation and mirrors.  Think about 'relaxing' both by introducing some elements of each style into the other - it isn't uncommon for designers to mix
old and new in designs.