Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui for Small Spaces

Anjie Cho June 13, 2021

Can I still use feng shui if I live in a very small apartment?

This is a question that comes up often! A lot of people think it would be more challenging to apply feng shui principles to a small space, but it doesn’t actually make a difference. I’m currently living in a renovation, so I’m essentially living in a really tiny space right now. I thought it would be good timing to answer this question and share some feng shui-inspired suggestions for small spaces.

First, define the entry in some way. Often, small living spaces mean that there is less distinction between the different areas of your home. The entry to your home represents how energy comes into your space, and it’s one of the most important areas to look at from a feng shui perspective. Try to find a way to define and differentiate it, whether that be through a welcome mat, a colorful accent wall, lighting, or furniture. You can also think of your own creative ways to do this!

Next, bring in as much light as possible. Most of my clients want more light in their spaces. All living things grow towards the sun, so having natural light is quite important. You can do this simply by bringing in more reflective materials, and placing a mirror strategically to reflect in a view. The color white is also very reflective. I love white ceilings and walls! It’s also helpful to make sure your windows are very clean, so they can bring in as much light as possible.

Lastly, if you can separate your work place from your sleeping place that is ideal. When those begin to intermingle, it’s hard to keep a well-balanced differentiation between life and work. After the past year, I think we’re all experiencing the line between work and home becoming blurred, and creating a defined space in your home can really help. You may not have a spare room to use as an office, but maybe you can carve out a dedicated corner where you will focus on work. If your bed and workspace are close together, do your best to create some visual separation between the two areas.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Feng Shui Paint Colors for Relaxation

Guest User May 5, 2021

A lot of us are living modern, speedy lives these days, and so we’re seeking ways to find more relaxation and harmony in our environments. We want to feel less rushed and less anxious, which can be a challenge with everything that’s going on around us. Through feng shui, we can work on creating more relaxation and ease in our homes and our lives.

One of the simplest ways to shift your environment and your feng shui is through color, including paint colors. I know it may seem daunting to repaint your space, but it’s actually pretty noncommittal. It doesn’t take as long as many other home projects, and if you don’t like the color you choose, you can always change it. If you really don’t have the bandwidth to paint your walls, you could instead get a blank canvas and paint that. You can also bring in color with accents like pillows, blankets, rugs, drapes, or even small items like candles or crystals.

Colors can have a strong impact in terms of creating an ambiance and shifting your mood. Most of us are visual people, and we’re very affected by what we see. That’s one of the reasons that feng shui is so important: not only do we move through spaces physically, we also focus on visual cues. (That’s why our phones and Instagram are so attractive — they activate our vision!) The color we surround ourselves with makes a big difference.

Feng shui is inspired by nature, so when we talk about relaxing colors in terms of feng shui, think about the colors you see most often in the natural world. Those are usually the most tranquil.

Here are a few colors you can try out in your home to create a more relaxing environment:

Blue: Use relaxing tones of blue to create a meditative feeling. Think of the pale blue of the sky, or the deep, dark blue of the ocean, and how these make you feel. Blue can create a quiet, settling sensation, like an exhale or letting go of tension.

Green: Greens represent tranquility and the wood element. There can be very vibrant greens, but for a peaceful, relaxing feeling we want to look at deep and pale greens. Bright green can be very active and stimulating, so choose something more subtle if your goal is relaxation.

Brown: Browns bring in the earth element — think of the earthy tones of sand and soil that remind us of being grounded in the earth. Pale browns can be reminiscent of sand on the beach, and darker browns call to mind the steadiness of a strong tree trunk, or the support of Mother Earth below you.

Purple: While this might be less common in the natural world, I find that pale and deep violets can be very balancing and relaxing. They can also invite more inner peace and support self-worth and abundance.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

5 Common Room Layout Mistakes to Avoid, According to Feng Shui

Guest User March 31, 2021

Anjie Cho was featured on Real Simple

Feng shui is a philosophy that looks at how to improve the flow of energy in our homes. Feng shui originated in ancient China, and was developed to assist people in how to place their homes in relationship to environmental conditions. In the modern world, I like to define feng shui as "mindfulness of spaces." When we can be aware of the details in the spaces around us, we can connect to and create homes that nurture and support us.

One of the many ways you can begin to incorporate feng shui principles into your life is to fix five of the most common home decor layout mistakes. Luckily, most of these are simple to correct. But if you can't, remember to do the best you can with what you have.

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