Feng shui can be integrated into all spaces throughout your home to promote energy flow and enhance your balance with nature, including outdoor spaces.
Yet many people overlook their deck and patio as spaces that need balance. When done right, you can create a personal oasis of calm and serenity. This guide reviews six tips to help you feng shui your deck and bring balance to the outdoors.
1. Clean the Area
If you’ve already got outdoor furniture, remove it all. You want to start with a blank canvas. Grab your hose and wash your deck surface. Be sure to get out any stubborn stains or caked-on dirt. Your deck should be as clean and clutter-free as possible to start.
Take stock of your current furniture. Are there any pieces that are broken or unnecessary? If so, get rid of them. Donate items in good shape and trash broken items. Decluttering your space can create harmony.
Now that you have narrowed down your outdoor furniture, wash the remaining pieces as well. Remove any cushions and fabrics and run them through the washing machine. Breathe new life into your existing outdoor furniture as you clean.
2. Arrange Your Space
Now that everything is clean and you’re only using items you enjoy and that have a purpose, it’s time to arrange your space. You can start with symmetry when arranging your patio furniture. Use pairs to promote balance.
If you don’t have two of the same, that’s okay. You can use symmetrical arrangements or evenly distribute the furniture across the deck. You don’t want to create an imbalance in arranging your furniture. It can hinder the energy flow.
You can also use a bagua to show you how to arrange in different sectors to promote positive feelings. For example, seating can be in the family area to promote unity, while any outdoor cooking space can be in the health sector.
You can arrange your space in feng shui in many ways. There is no single right or wrong answer.
3. Integrate Your Senses
Feng shui helps engage all five of your senses to promote harmony. Take this into account when arranging your deck.
- Smell: Plant trees and flowers to help connect to nature. They also help bring positive energy and good fortune as they purify the air. Avoid spiky plants, as this can do the opposite.
- Hearing: Use wind chimes to promote a sense of tranquility and calmness.
- Sight: Integrate visual harmony to feel connected to your surroundings.
- Taste: Create a safe space to enjoy food and beverages, or plant a garden to promote healthy eating.
- Touch: Your surroundings should make you feel safe and secure.
You’ll feel a sense of peace when you properly integrate your senses into your design.
4. Utilize the Elements
Backyard spaces should balance the five elements to promote harmony and unity with nature.
You can construct the deck using wooden materials and furnish it with metal chairs. Add candles to keep the bugs away, and integrate stone elements to give your deck an earthy look and feel. Water is so vital that it gets its own dedicated tip!
Each of these elements can help influence your space’s mood and energy. If something feels out of sync, your elements may be unbalanced.
5. Add Water to the Design
Water has been critical to feng shui for centuries, symbolizing prosperity and abundance.
Water sources should be placed in the north, east, or southeast corners, and they should be positioned so that the water always flows toward your home’s center.
Water can be integrated into your deck through a fountain, waterfall, or bird bath. Mirrors are another way to easily add water elements to your design.
The flow of life is constant, and your water should always be clean and flowing to reflect that. Doing so can help promote a positive energy flow in your space.
6. Integrate Color Theory
Pay attention to color as you finish your deck. The colors you choose can say a lot about the energy in the space.
- White symbolizes purity, focus, and carefulness.
- Yellow represents joy, cheer, and hope. It can also stand for stability.
- Green can indicate growth and change.
- Red is the color of life, passion, and love.
- Blue and black are calm colors.
Variations of these colors can also represent similar feelings. Using these colors based on the Bagua map, you can further invite the feelings they represent into your space.
Conclusion
Outdoor feng shui begins with design, and googling “deck contractor near me” is a great first step. Draw up plans to see how the energy feels before you start work.
Remember, the energy you invite into your home can influence the mood within your home, so do your best to get it right.