The Feng shui decorating style of design has become increasingly popular and somewhat trendy in the past decade, with millions of Americans embracing its less-is-more, our-energy-is-our-soul-is-our-mind-is-our-mood-is-our-life philosophy.

While that is a simplified definition, at the heart of Feng shui decorating is simplicity and a conscious attempt to embrace the subconscious in a space.

Pronounced “fung shway,” (literally means “wind, water”) it is the Chinese practice of positioning objects, especially graves, buildings, and furniture, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of chi that have positive and negative effects.

It is an ancient rule in Chinese philosophy that spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to patterns of yin and yang and the flow of energy is crucial to mental, physical and spiritual health and well-being. The favorable or unfavorable effects are taken into consideration in designing and sitting furniture and rooms in a home. The practice has been embraced by countless designers in the States. A lot of this is driven by a new-found American appreciation for oriental art, food, and decoration.

Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!

While harnessing your chi and getting in touch with the yin to your yang is not simply a matter of painting a room red, there are some basic tenants of feng shui decorating that, when applied, have made millions happier, and, they would argue, healthier.

*Clear the clutter. Get rid of everything that is useless, evokes negative feelings or responses, or serves no purpose. The goal here is, as Thoreau said, Simplify! Simplify! Simplify!

*Pay attention to the energy in your room. No, this does not mean stare at the light or put a fork in a socket, this means be cognizant of the feelings evoked by items, different areas in the room, different furniture positions, and different lighting. Having positive energy flow is crucial. If something is having a positive or soothing effect in a certain place, leave it.

*Clean the room from top to bottom. And that means everything; walls, windows, doors, closets, baseboards, heating elements, fixtures-everything.

*In the bedroom, where feng sui is most commonly applied, bed placement is very important. Make sure your bed is placed to provide greatest visibility to your doorway and also provide a feeling of protection and safety. If this is not possible, a mirror on the wall opposite the bed can reflect the negative energy. Your bedroom is your haven, a place of safety and serenity.

*Sleeping areas should not be too dark. Reds, light greens and blues and yellows are positive colors that have beneficial effects on the mind and spirit.

*Avoid overusing whites, which, according to feng shui, deliver “cold energy.” If white is unavoidable, flowers, plants and splashes of well-placed color can counteract.

While feng shui decorating is most commonly applied in the home, many have embraced it in the workplace and are using the same principles to guide the layout of their desks and offices. When applied, feng shui decorating in the workplace encourages productivity, better work, and, ultimately, financial and professional success.

©2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. Kathy is a professional published freelance writer and commercial stock photographer living in Southeast New Mexico USA. Visit ElectronicPerceptions.com to see some of her latest photography, and to read more of her excellent content too.

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• Balance your color scheme. While you may love the bright reds, greens and golds of the holiday season, these colors augment existing energy and should be balanced with more calming shades, such as cream, blues and pale hues.

“There are places and times when you may want to create a lot of energy, and that’s where you can mass those bright holiday decorations,” Binns says. For example, holiday meals can be more exciting and jovial when bright and shiny table settings and decorations are used.

• Decorate for harmony. Your choice and placement of decorations is crucial to the atmosphere of your home and to the harmony of those who enter. As mentioned above, too many bright colors can create an overly-stimulating environment and increase the risk of tension. Yet not enough holiday items will result in a “dull atmosphere,” Binns says.

She suggests that small rooms contain decorations that have a matte finish, rather than lots of reflective surfaces, to help absorb excess energy. The flowing shapes of ribbons and fabrics also help create a soft, gentle atmosphere.

• Don’t overdo the Christmas tree. You may love the sparkling lights and pretty ornaments on Christmas trees, so bigger is better, right? Wrong.

“Evergreen trees naturally have a spiky, ‘yang’ shape that can disrupt the even flow of energy in a room” Binns says. “Just as you wouldn’t want to overpower a room with a piece of furniture far out of proportion to the room’s size, too large a tree is not conducive to a relaxing, harmonious feeling.”

Binns says that the yang energy of a Christmas tree can be tempered by using cream and other muted colors among the brighter ornaments and by putting bows or fabric garlands on the branches to help soften the tree’s harsh edges. Also, it’s important to place the tree away from seating areas to ensure the comfort of friends and family.

• Make holiday meals memorable. Excitement is added to holiday mealtimes when the table is set with hard, shiny items such as silver serving pieces, sparkling crystal and brightly-colored holiday china. Red napkins will also create a festive mood, while green napkins and cream-colored linens will tone down the table.

Speaking of tables, round or oval are the best shapes for feng shui-friendly dining. The absence of sharp corners and hard edges helps energy flow freely and gently through the room. If you do have a rectangular dining table, make sure your guests are not seated too close to the corners, which can cause a feeling of unease during the meal.

In addition to the setting, the foods you choose are important to the overall experience. Binns, a trained nutritionist and holistic health practitioner, says, “It has been found that too much sugar or rich foods create a sense of fatigue and overwork the body’s digestive system. Excess alcohol overstimulates the liver. As with most things, moderation is key, and serving plenty of fresh vegetables will help balance richer dishes.”

Binns adds some general advice: “If people feel cooped-up or claustrophobic, they will be more likely to argue. So remove any unnecessary furniture, open the windows briefly to refresh the atmosphere, and use water features, like small fountains or floating candles, to create a calming influence.”

Candles emit natural energy and supplement the relaxing effects of dimmed lights. Fluorescent lighting, especially when added to the already stimulating effects of holiday decorations, creates an energy drain and should be reduced. Finally, add some relaxing music to your environment and turn off the TV, shutting it into a closed entertainment center if possible.

“Feng shui is an ancient practice that really works to enhance a whole array of areas in our lives,” Binns says. “By surrounding yourself with things and people you truly love and following some basic tenets, you can create balance, harmony and relaxation, which will carry you through the holidays and into the new year.”

Linda Binns shows you how to be more successful in all areas of your life by working with your environment. Get FREE Feng Shui Success Secrets. These powerful and practical secrets can help you transform your life - go to http://www.fengshuiexplained.com now.

Linda Binns is author of Feng Shui for Your Relationships: Changing Your Environment to Create Better Relationships. She has been a Feng Shui Practitioner, Author, Speaker and teacher for over 10 years. She has appeared internationally on television and radio and in local publications. Linda is also the founder of The Feng Shui Success Institute - which teaches in-depth Feng Shui training and practitioner certification.

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