ADVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS: Feng Shui - Using Light to Boost Your Home's Energy!

Feng Shuiis comprised on two Chinese words - feng (wind) and shui (water); the two elements that that flow and circulate everywhere on the Earth.  At the heart of Feng Shui is the desire to acknowledge the influences of the natural world and to live in harmony with it. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy that has been around for 3,000 - 5,000 years that believes creating harmonious surroundings will bring happiness, prosperity, and good health. Without realizing it, you may have blocked the flow of chi (life giving energy that flows through our bodies) by the unfortunate positioning of an object. Feng Shui does recommends creating balance and harmony through the use of the  5 elements (water, wood, fire, earth, and metal) in every room.

According to Feng Shui principles, adding light to an area of your home can increase positive chi (energy). An important area to infuse with light is the entryway of your home (both inside and outside). The level of light in your entryway can set the chi level for your entire home. Bright light in your entryway can help your career. If your entry way is dark and cramped, it is recommended that lights be left on all the time.  Feng Shui philosophy also believes that all the main living areas (kitchen, dining room, bedrooms) on your home should have strong, bright lights installed (even if you do not have a use for such bright lights).  



Make sure rooms are equally lit on both sides; research shows that people tend to feel uncomfortable in rooms that are unequally lit. The bedroom should have a light placed on either side of the bed on a night stand and also a separate light capable of lighting the entire bedroom (this typically is an overhead ceiling light).

High-tech or angular task lighting should be avoided; while neutral colored and rounded lights are preferred as they will add harmony to a room. Dark areas (such as dark corners or alcoves) should be addressed with lighting.

The Kitchen should have bright lights to help you cook, but according to Feng Shui it will also lift your mood.  In this age of technology, many of us live out lives out of synch with the natural rhythms of the sun.  Correcting the natural and artificial levels of light in our homes is very important to our health; the sun is representative of renewal and growth. So, do not forget about the importance of natural sunlight in your lives and open your blinds and also go outside for some much needed natural sunlight to recharge our bodies.

When a bulb burns out in a lamp or light, it should be replaced immediately.

When it comes to Feng Shiu and lighting, brighter is usually better.

Kate

Kate's Home Staging and Redesign, serves the Rockland County and Orange County area of New York and the Passaic County area of New Jersey.  We specialize in home decorating, interior design, color consultations, interior decorating, vacant home staging, custom wood signs, semi-custom window coverings, home decor discounts.  Contact Kate for your design consultation at 845-538-3623 or visit www.kateshomestaging.com for more info. Making every home better through redesign.