Home Office Design: Feng Shui Tips

Anjie Cho July 8, 2013

Your home office represents an important area in your home. In feng shui, this area symbolizes your career, wealth and how you nourish yourself in the world. Below are some simple ways for you to incorporate a few changes in your home office to support your career and wealth.

Desk location

The first thing to look at is where your desk is located in relation to the room’s door. I often see clients with their desk facing the wall, leaving their backs to the door. These are major feng shui no-nos. Ideally, you should face your desk so you can see the door, while not in line with directly the door. The most auspicious position is a desk placed diagonally from the door. The desired orientation, called the “command” position, is when you are facing the door and the expanse of the room. It means that you are in command of your life, your career, and can see what the universe has in store for you. The best opportunities will be available to you and you will be able to see them coming. This position minimizes stress and allows the best flow of energy while working.

If space is at a premium in your home and you cannot face the door, set up a mirror so that while sitting at your desk you can still easily see the door in the reflection. Small concave mirrors found in automobile shops are excellent for this job.

Create a separate space

Speaking of space, I understand many of us do not have an entire room for office space in our homes. If you do not have a dedicated room for your office, do your best to separate your desk within the space it is in. Some ways you can do this are with a freestanding bookcase or a room divider, or even with a fabric panel or drape. This is especially important in a bedroom or living room, or you may have difficulty focusing while working, and disengaging when not working. Visual boundaries are very important in keeping your work and play times balanced. At the very least, you can get a beautiful piece of fabric or scarf and cover your desk when office hours are closed!

What are you facing?

What are you facing when you are sitting at your desk? Are you staring a brick wall? Are you looking out at your view? In the feng shui world, we encourage you to face into the room with a good view of the door, while not right in line with the door. As I mentioned earlier, this position puts you in “command” of your life and career. If this is not possible and you must face a wall, there are a few ways to improve this situation. You can put a mirror on the wall behind the desk. Rather than looking a wall that represents a block in your forward movement, the mirror will expand your view and allow you to move ahead in your career. You could also put an inspirational image, an image with depth, or even a vision board. A vision board is simply a collage of words and images of where you see yourself in the future. The idea is, if you can see it, you can have it! And of course, don’t forget the mirror to see the door.

This also brings up the question of having your desk face a window and outdoor view. In my experience, although it’s nice to face a view, it’s not the best position for someone who wants to advance his or her career. Your energy goes out the window and does not stay with your work. Instead, why not have the window to your side so that it’s available for you to view when you want to take a break. But it’s not distracting you from achieving your career and wealth goals.

Desk Clutter

I also encourage you to look at your desk clutter. The purpose is to pinpoint any problem areas you may have regarding career and wealth. Where does your clutter tend to accumulate on your desk? While sitting at your desk, look at the furthest left corner, the furthest middle/top, and the furthest right corner of your desk. Is there a place that you always pile up your paperwork that you plan to get to “one day”? Is there a stack of magazines you’re hoping to go through? Is there a specific area you stash all the mail you haven’t opened yet? Clutter on the top left corner may represent stagnation in your cash flow and money. The middle top symbolizes how people are viewing you, which is your fame and reputation. Maybe you need more visibility and/or recognition. The furthest right corner is the relationship area. This may indicate the need to cultivate new and existing relationships. It’s time for some lunch with people you haven’t seen in months, to just see how they are doing, and get the energy flowing. What is the clutter, and what does it symbolize to you in the area of the desk it’s in?

If it’s cluttered everywhere, well you’re in trouble! Just to be clear, clutter is not always negative, as long as it doesn’t hinder your life or cause guilt and distress. But it may be a problem if it does hurt and prevent you from achieving your goals, keeping you “stuck”. Please do not be too hard on yourself if you do have clutter, take it step by step. I suggest you start with 9 minutes a day. Take a timer and just do 9 minutes of clutter clearing, and then feel good about it!

by Anjie Cho

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How to Create a Relaxing Space: A Color Guide for Homes

Anjie Cho May 22, 2013

featured today on Streeteasy.com

In New York City, we all lead hectic lives, full of traffic, crowds and congestion, so it’s important to create relaxing environments in our apartments and homes. Using color is a great way to create a peaceful feel in your space, but it’s important to understand how wall color and decorative accent color can affect the atmosphere of your home.

Color can be used to harmonize and create your sought-after atmosphere and ambiance. In feng shui, color is one of the 9 ways that you can shift your space and life. People are overwhelmingly affected by what they see, so the appropriate use of color can truly help create a relaxing space. Below are some color suggestions for creating a restful, healing and organic home.

I suggest you use color, not just with paint on your walls, but also with furniture and/or accents such as rugs, drapes, and art. Be conscious of the quantity of colors that you use, especially for small spaces. Use one or two colors as an accent, rather than a smattering of bold colors. It is a good idea to avoid loud patterns, especially sharp angular geometric shapes. Stick with solids or subtle organically shaped designs.

The easiest way to approach the idea of relaxing colors, is to think of the natural world. For instance, beach colors or forest colors. Beach colors are muted and soft tones. Forest colors are deeper tones, yet balancing and calming. In both cases, cooler and warmer colors both work. Below is my color guide for recommended soothing colors, and stimulating colors to avoid.

Relaxing Colors:

The key is to use harmonious colors together rather than contrasting ones. The colors below all work well together for a tranquil environment.

Dark or Pale Blues: Think the pale sky or the deep blue ocean. Blues give a quiet and settling feeling. It creates a meditative feeling of exhaling, relaxing tensions and refreshing the body. They say that humans see cobalt blue in the womb, therefore blue can provide a sense of security and calm.

Try: Benjamin Moore, Province Blue 2135-40 or Benjamin Moore, Gossamer Blue 2123-40

Deep and Pale Greens: Greens can represent tranquility and healthy supportive energy. It’s a balancing color, and the color of nature and plants. In feng shui, green represents life and renewing energy. Greens can be extremely restorative. Avoid bright fluorescent greens, which can be too stimulating.

Try: Farrow & Ball, Green Blue 84 or Benjamin Moore, Lush AF-475

Pale Browns and Neutral Tones: Earthy tones of sand and soil are soothing hues, representing stability and the nurturing of mother earth. Brown can be elegant and also symbolize the quiet steadiness of a tree. Stay on the light end, but away from the flesh tones and yellow colors.

Try: Benjamin Moore, Harmony AF-90 or Farrow & Ball, Dove Tale 267

Pale and Deep Violets: Violets can be calming and balancing. It’s the combination of fiery red with relaxing blue. Therefore, this color can harmonize and create inner balance and peace.

Try: Farrow & Ball, Brassica 271 or Farrow & Ball, Pelt 254

Colors to Avoid:

These colors are safe to use in small amounts, but best to avoid them if you can.

Red: Red is very stimulating. Try to steer clear of too much of it. It can be very active and while appropriate for many applications, it’s not suitable for relaxing environments.

Gray and Blacks: These colors are considered depressing and isolating. Although Black can be contemplative, it can generate a dark look. Gray is thought of as an ambiguous color, the “gray area." Note: Grayish hues are okay for soothing spaces, just use them in combination with some of the suggested relaxing colors.

Yellow: Try to avoid yellow, especially bright yellow as it can be very hard on the eyes. It puts pressure on people and is not appropriate for a relaxing environment. It says “caution,” rather then “relax." Also yellowish whites hold a murky and aged feeling that should be avoided.

White: White is great as a base, but avoid rooms that are entirely white. White can be sharp and harsh on the eyes. Imagine walking in a field of snow, it’s blinding and exhausting. Choose off whites, and add in some of the relaxing colors to soften things up.

Try: Benjamin Moore, White Dove OC-17 or Benjamin Moore, Soft Chamois OC-13

by Anjie Cho

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Simple Feng Shui Tips When Selling Your Home

Anjie Cho April 18, 2013

featured on Streeteasy.com

There are so many factors influencing the sale of a home, many of which are unique to New York City. Below are some simple feng shui considerations to create subtle shifts in your space, to maximize your selling potential!

Your Entry Door

Within a few seconds of walking in to an apartment, potential buyers often generate lasting first impressions. Repaint or clean your entry door and make sure that the doorbell, buzzer and all door hardware are in working condition. Oil any squeaky hinges. Also clean or replace the number on the door. In feng shui, all these factors influence and attract more prospective and potential buyers. This ensures that people can find you!

Light up the Entry

Replace all light bulbs and de-clutter the entry and foyer. It’s important to have new light bulbs, so replace any bulbs that are more than 9 months old. Remove anything unnecessary or personal from the entrance, such as photographs, shoes or storage units. Keep the foyer as open, spacious and well lit as possible. An illuminated entrance ensures your home will generate a strong first impression. Remember, buyers make much of their decision within the first few moments of walking in. In feng shui, this will create more positive opportunities for you to sell.

De-Personalize

Even if you’re not yet ready to move, start packing up. Focus especially on your family photos and very personal items. If possible, move these items out of the home. First, this allows you to start to detach from the home. Second, it allows for and encourages the future owner to engage their personal energy into the space, so they can visualize this as their new home. You can add plants, mirrors and lighting to replace the personal items. Plants are great for positive energy in Feng Shui.

Clean the Windows

Windows represent the eyes and mouths of the inhabitants in the home. Thoroughly clean all the windows and move any objects that may be blocking the light and view. Be sure to clean both inside and outside of the windows if possible. Clean windows can create an amazing transformation of the space. In feng shui, the windows should be clear and open, so the future owners can feel seen and heard as well as nourished.

Clear the Energy

It’s vital to clear the space of any stagnant energy. This type of energy may prevent a home from selling because it produces negative and uncomfortable impressions. Periodically, open all the windows in the home for a minimum of 9 minutes. Before any showings, spray orange essential oil all around your space to transform the space with vibrant life energy. In feng shui, oranges and orange peels contribute positive, fresh and brightening energy to our inner and outer environment. Orange essential oil spray is easy to find at the store (including Holistic Spaces!), or you can make your own using water and a few drops of essential oil.

by Anjie Cho