Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui and Autism

I found your blog last week and I totally love it. I've already done a couple of simple adjustments that have actually made a great impact on the space. Like moving my couch into a commanding position and clearing my entry way. I also noticed that my son, who is severely autistic, has been affected as well. Our living room seems to now be his perfect place to sit and do a quiet, focused activity- usually reading a picture book. How do you think feng shui applies to those with sensory issues, like autism and Asperger's syndrome? Do you have any recommendations on applying feng shui to an autistic child's bedroom? 

Danielle P., Columbia, MO

Hi Danielle,

Aww thanks so much for your kind words. I’m so happy that the feng shui adjustments have impacted your son in such a positive way! I think this is a really important subject, so I also consulted with two other experts. My sister, Stephanie Cho, is a psychiatrist at George Washington University, and my friend Nancy Guberti, practices functional medicine and has worked with dozens of autistic children.

We all (Stephanie, Nancy and myself) agree that placing autistic children in the commanding position creates a safe and soothing environment. From the feng shui perspective, the commanding position sets you up so that there are fewer surprises; you can literally see what or who is coming into your space. For an autistic child, this helps to prevent opportunities for disturbances and creates a calming space. 

Stephanie advised that for aspects of the environment that are sensory oriented, such as colors or smells, the feng shui guidelines are not as applicable, as this depends on each autistic child. Their associations with their senses are highly individual. Therefore it's best to notice and be aware of what colors, scents, or objects have positive associations with each child. Then it can be helpful to place that in their bedrooms. But by far, the commanding position is the way to go with the bed and, if possible desk or sitting areas. 

The commanding position would place the bed (or other major furniture) such that when one is lying in the bed, that they can see the door while not in line with this door. 

Nancy also suggested clutter-free environments for autistic children's bedrooms. The less busyness, the better. Less sensory input and "noise." I would recommend using storage with doors or bins. This is a great way to cut down the clutter and reduce the amount of noise in a space. :)

I'm thrilled to hear that the small changes you made as a result of our blog have made such an impact in such an important area of life. You and your son are proof that feng shui really does work! Please let me know if you make any of the adjustments Stephanie, Nancy and I have suggested and how they work out! 

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: Decluttering with Feng Shui

Can you explain/describe the Remove/Move 27 items in your home method? I have read different ideas like discard 9 items a day for 27 days, 27 items for 27 days etc. I am cluttered and need to clean! I was hoping for your insight.

Maria S., Yonkers, NY

Hi Maria, thank you so much for your question!

The adjustment to remove or move a particular number of items for a specific number of days comes from the idea that by moving or removing items, you can stir up the qi or energy in your home. If there is no movement, the energy of your space as well as your inner and outer lives may be stagnant and/or stuck. Since you mentioned you have clutter that needs improving, this does sound like a good adjustment for you.

As for the numbers, BTB feng shui philosophy places much luck and auspiciousness to the number 9, and multiples of 9 such as 18 or 27. My intuition tells me that you would benefit from discarding 9 items a day for 27 days. See how that feels, wait 3 days and start again! The numbers are not arbitrary and I usually prescribe the numbers based on the particular client. You can’t go wrong if you discard 27 for 27 days, or discard 9 for 9 days, or even 9 for 81 days. My teachers have taught me that the more challenging the effort, the greater the results while finding balance in what is actually the effort level that you’re ready to exert. 

Finally, remember clutter isn’t always negative. Read my article here.

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Small Bedroom Ideas: The Best Ways to Maximize Your Tiny Space

featured on wirecutter by Caroline Biggs

Small bedrooms pose big challenges, particularly if you’re short on closets or if you need to fit in a home office. That’s why we asked five design and organizing experts for advice on getting the most out of a tiny bedroom, then tested decor in a 275-square-foot New York City apartment. Whether you want a storage bed, a compact nightstand, or a room divider, the 19 items we recommend should help maximize your small space.

Why you should trust me

I’ve been writing about small-space design for over seven years, for publications including The New York Times (now the parent company of Wirecutter), Refinery 29, Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, and Domino. For this guide, I researched hundreds of bedroom furnishings sold through Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, The Container Store, IKEA, Target, and other retailers. I tested more than a dozen items in my own 250-square-foot apartment and I evaluated other products in person at IKEA and West Elm.

I also spoke with five home-organizing experts to get their insights on designing a small bedroom: Emily Henderson, interior designer and blogger behind Style by Emily Henderson; Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, professional organizers at The Home Edit and authors of The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals; Tali Roth, interior designer at Homepolish; Anjie Cho, interior architect, holistic designer, and feng shui educator; and Nicole Anzia, professional organizer and founder of Neatnik.

How to organize a small bedroom

Before you decide what to buy, consider the types of items that work best in a small bedroom. Our experts recommended thinking about these four general guidelines to help maximize every inch.

…read full article

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish.