For centuries the Chinese have used the special placing of ordinary objects around the home, garden and office to protect and promote healthy energy flow or ‘Chi’ within.

This practice is known as Feng Shui. The principles can be as simple or as complex as you choose them to be. You don’t need to understand the significance of each tradition to make some simple changes to your home.

Using this simple guide you will learn some Feng Shui tips to promote your health, wealth and vitality. So if you are wondering why you didn’t get that pay increase, can’t sleep or feel tired all the time, check out your Chi and fix these hotspots immediately with these great Feng Shui tips.

Feng Shui Tips for Halls and Entrance Ways

* The flow of Chi from the front to the back of your home must be allowed to flow feely. Feng shui makes use of meandering pathways through areas rather than straight lines. If your entrance way faces the street or a garden it will determine how energy flows through the home. For this reason it is recommended to use curved pathways or garden bed plantings rather than direct lines. If you use paving stones scatter their placing so that they don’t from a straight line. For a healthy flow of Chi place a birdbath, water fountain or a small pond along the garden path.

* Doorways should not be large or Chi will escape from your home. The energy can be retained by hanging wind chimes outside a large doorway. Wind chimes also prevent Sha or negative energy from entering your home. If your doorway is too small, Chi will be prevented from flowing into you home but this can be remedied by placing mirrors on each side of the door or on a wall opposite the entrance way.

* If it is possible to see the back door from the front door Chi is able to flow through it without having a chance to circulate. Popular Feng Shui tips from the experts suggest that to stop this dissipation, you must position a large pot plant or a screen between the front and back door.

* In Feng Shui terms, the door is the most important area of the home as this is the place where people pause briefly before entering or leaving. As they do so, they are energized by its Chi. If there are no windows or doors leading from your entrance way chi can stagnate and become blocked. Use a mirror or ceiling fan to provide for a free flow of energy through this area.

Feng Shui Tips for Stairways

* Chi can be defeated by a poorly positioned stairway. If your stairway is located opposite the front door most of the Chi will flow through it and up to the next level. This will cause the ground floor to become lacking in Chi. Using mirrors and wind chimes as well as potted plants and screens are ways in which the movement of Chi can be slowed down.
* Open stairways that use risers and not filled in steps won’t allow enough Chi to flow to the next floor. If you place plants under the stairs Chi will be deflected upwards, allowing the energy flow to continue. Use a skylight over the stairway to improve the Chi in these areas.
* If your stairway curves along its path it is the ideal scenario but if it doesn’t use wind chimes or plants to improve the flow of Chi.

Feng Shui Tips for the Lounge

* This is the area in most homes where families relax and talk or build on relationships. Feng Shui considers it the heart of the home. If possible, situate your lounge on the south side of the home. West is also a good location and the room should have a pleasant view. Avoid a view of geometric shapes and angles like a building or city skyline. Use plants to address this problem.
* This room should be square or rectangular in shape. The furniture must preferably be placed in positions that break opposing straight lines. If you do this, Chi can flow gently through your lounge. Break up alcoves and dead areas with potted plants, large furniture pieces or aquariums.
* Ceilings should be flat for the best energy flow but if you have a sloping ceiling use wind chimes or bamboo flutes to fix the problem.
* If your lounge is next to a dining room or kitchen, place a visual barrier between them like a screen or large plants. Close any inter-leading doors to prevent Chi from escaping.
* Arrange your seating areas to break up direct pathways. Never place the back of a lounge chair against or toward a wall as this will produce Sha energy. Make sure there is an even number of chairs in the lounge and always reserve the most comfortable seat for the guest. Make sure it never has its back toward a door.
* Use gentle colors in the room and choose artwork and furniture that tone in. Soft pastel colors are a good choice.

Try to understand the symbolic definitions, for example:
Yellow = authority, White = purity, Green = longevity, Blue = heavenly blessings, Red = happiness.

Feng Shui Tips for Dining Rooms

* Arrange seating according to the order of the trigram in the Bagwa. The best shape for your table is the octagon of the eight sided Bagwa. This is not always practical and tables of this shape can be hard to find. Some experts believe that round tables are a goods substitute as they symbolize earth and stability. If you have a rectangular or square table, place an octagonal centre piece or place mats to promote healthy Feng Shui. Your health, wealth and happiness will be enhanced by placing the Three Star Gods overlooking the dining table.

* Make sure that chairs do not restrict doorways and that there us plenty of space for your guests to walk alongside the table. You should have an even number of chairs and honoured guests should face the doorway.

Feng Shui Tips for the Kitchen

* It is believed by the Chinese that malevolent spirits come from the north so healthy Feng Shui practice makes sure that the kitchen does not face this way. If it can’t be avoided hang crystals or wind chimes from the windows and doorways to alleviate the chance of mishaps.

* In Feng Shui, the kitchen sink is said to represent water and the stove fire. Try not to place these next to each other. Position the stove so that the cook will not have to stand with their back to the doorway. Use a mirror or a good reflective kitchen appliance to counteract this if it is unavoidable. Use good lighting and air vents above the stove to avoid undue negative energy.

* Paint your kitchen white as it is symbolic of purity and will promote good health. Never store cutlery in a stagnant area of the kitchen as the influence of negative energy on sharp objects is said to ‘cut’ your health. Put these in a drawer near the doorway or window.

Feng Shui Tips for the Bedroom

* A bedroom facing west into the sun’s gentle rays is a good choice for adults while children will be energized by an east facing room. In general deeper sleep is attained in a west facing bedroom while the east is important for an invigorating feeling as you wake.

* Never place a bed so that the feet of its occupants face a doorway. Your bed should not directly face onto a window, either, as the glare will attract Sha energy. Use a wind chime to address this issue.

* Never place more than two mirrors in a bedroom as this creates excitement in the Chi of the room and don’t place a mirror at the foot of a bed or opposite a window. A bedroom that is located next to the living room and above the lounge (in a two-story lounge) is said to be good Feng Shui.

Feng Shui Tips for the Bathroom

* A north facing bathroom is ideal as north and water have a traditionally good relationship. Use blue and black colors for their link to water. However since north is associated with bad spirits you must take care to protect children and older people in the bathroom.

* Bathrooms and toilets are used for hygiene and because of this these rooms can pollute Chi . Chi must be encouraged to flow speedily in these rooms. The idea is to wash away any pollution and replace good Chi quickly. Use a breezy window, a mirror and Feng Shui crystals to help the flow of Chi. Always keep the toilet door closed and the lid down and hang an octagonal (Bagwa) mirror on the door.

* Always be careful to avoid the draining of Chi from a wealth area such as a home office or study nearby.

* Make sure that a bath or shower door is visible by a placing a mirror on an opposing wall.

These Feng Shui tips will give you a good start on making sure the energy in your home is at its most optimal and protective levels. Once you have mastered and implemented the basic principles for good Chi, your home will begin to feel more comfortable and safe and you will be protected from negative or drained energy. These Feng Shui tips are more than just a placing of furniture and objects – they are a way of life that promotes vital health and well-being. Get started on transforming your home today.