Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese tradition and belief that focuses on striking a balance of nature in architecture and interior design. Its popularity has not only stayed in China – Feng Shui is now practiced worldwide, with many people incorporating Feng Shui designs into their living spaces. It’s also common for business owners and managers to bring Feng Shui into an office, as it can help promote productivity, positivity, and relationships.
With Feng Shui, the goal is to strike a delicate balance that helps promote the flow of chi (energy) and incorporates all five elements. Here, you’ll discover exactly how to do that in an office space.
Lots of Greenery
Feng Shui focuses a lot on nature. A Feng Shui space often includes a lot of greenery, so boost positivity in your office by placing plants around the area. Some of the best Feng Shui plants include:
- Money Tree
- Philodendron Heart Leaf
- Bonsai Tree
- White Bird of Paradise
- Pothos
- Jasmine Plant
- Peace Lily
Many of these plants offer round leafy greenery, which can help boost positive energy. You can use these plants in a clever way, too – if you have any harsh, sharp edges in the office space that disrupt the flow of chi energy, try covering those edges with some cleverly placed plants.
Add a Social Seating Area
Feng Shui promotes positive relationships. To boost this, create a comfortable social setting within the office with the right seats. Armchairs can work well here (as long as they are not alone), as can a large sofa. Leather sectional couches work perfectly, as they provide a considerable seated area for multiple people while also helping to section off one area from another, which can help distinguish where the social setting begins. In particular, brown leather sofas work well in Feng Shui, as the brown adds to the earth element design, which should always appear in a Feng Shui office space. It’s also a good idea to choose one with a high backing for additional support.
Consider the Position of the Desks
In Feng Shui, the placement of furniture almost matters more than the furniture itself, so consider the way each desk faces. For managers and business owners (or people wanting to decorate a single-person office), it’s best to put your desk in the power position, which means far away from the entrance but facing the door. For Feng Shui, it’s also essential for the desk to be visible upon entry, as a hidden desk will disrupt the energy flow.
Let Natural Light Shine Through
Feng Shui is all about the natural world, so it makes sense to bring in sunlight as much as possible. Of course, you may be limited somewhat by the placement of the windows. Every office will need some kind of artificial light, so always use a full-spectrum light to mimic natural lighting as much as possible – fluorescent lighting should be avoided at all costs.
Add Feng Shui Art
One of the easiest but most effective ways to create a Feng Shui office is by hanging up Feng Shui art. There are lots of excellent pieces that represent this Chinese practice. It’s all about invoking the right element – for example, if you need more earthy representation in the office, choose a natural painting filled with browns and greens.
Balance the Colors
Feng Shui has a preference for certain colors over others. Typically, it focuses on earthy shades that represent the five elements of earth, fire, water, wood, and metal. You should have a balance of all five of these within the office. For example, for fire, incorporate some soft oranges or reds. For water, opt for sage greens and blues. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t go over the top with splashes of contrasting colors; Feng Shui is all about harmony, so opt for softer shades where possible (with some bold touches here and there).
Offices worldwide have been incorporating Feng Shui into their design decisions. It’s a fantastic idea, as it provides you (and your employees) with a more enjoyable, spacious, and harmonious work setting. Even some small additions like adding greenery and balancing earthy colors will transform your office space enough to make a positive difference.