Dear Shanon, What is this “Fun shwee” and how can I use it to help my home?
Feng Shui (pronounced Fung shway) is an ancient Chinese art of placement to enhance the flow of “chi” (life force, energy). Derived from the “wind and water” elements, Feng Shui is believed to create harmonious environments that support health, beckon wealth, and invite happiness. Usher in the New Year using my top five favorite Feng Shui tips and tricks that are simple and easy for everyone to enjoy:
1. Cleanse: They say when your home is clean, your thoughts are clean and you can think and even feel better. Start by purging the holiday clutter and excess clothes in your closets from the 80s, because let’s be honest, the “hammer pants” aren’t quite back in style yet! Scrub the floors, walls, and bathrooms. Drink Water. Tackle the kitchen, laundry room, and vacuum. Rid the dust by changing the air filters. Pat yourself on the back!
2. Bed: The placement of your bed is one of the most important pieces of proper Feng Shui in your home. Research group Mirror reports that “humans, on average, spend a total of 227,468 hours, or 26 years of their lives sleeping.” That’s about 33% of a person’s life! This goes to show that your bed and its proper placement could potentially have a big impact on your overall health. Try using Feng Shui’s “commanding position,” where you place your bed facing the door, but not directly in line with the door. You can also place the bed diagonally across the room from the bedroom door for steady energy flow.
3. Kitchen Cabinets: If you have space between the top of the cabinets and the ceiling, try filling it with things you love. Plants, décor, and lighting are great ways to add life and energy to the space. Start by placing one of your favorite objects in this unfilled area to help brighten places where “chi/energy/positive life force” can often get stuck.
4. Windows: If your eyes are the windows to your soul, then the windows are the eyes of your home. They should be clear and bright. It’s still a little cold outside, but you can start washing from the inside now, and as spring comes closer work your way outside. You can even go old school and use lemon and vinegar to naturally cleanse.
5. Front Door: Your front door is the opening to your home. According to Feng Shui, this entryway is important to keep warm & inviting with red and purple colors and to keep it clean. If you enter through the garage, try entering through the front door as a new routine. If you are looking to sell, the front door is the area that buyers spend the most time in when looking at a home so be sure to have a nice door mat with fresh and bright colors in sight.
The New Year is a great opportunity to rid your home of negative energy and clutter that can cloud your environment. But remember, this process of cleansing and creating a harmonious can also be enjoyable! As Helen Keller said, “When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.” So turn on some music, roll up your sleeves, grab some boxes and brooms, and bring the positive energy of Feng Shui into your home this New Year! Cheers!
*Published article Medford Sneak Preview Magazine January 2017
Shanon Pewtress
Real Estate Broker, Licensed in the state of Oregon
Published January 2017
Shanon holds an MBA in International Business, loves writing in her “At Home with Shanon” column that has been delivered to 47,000+ homes in Medford since 2014, has appeared on the Real Estate Radio Show, and was also featured on A&E TV network’s Real Estate Reality TV show.