In the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of people who are working from home, either full-time or part-time. The improvised home offices that include a couch and a laptop are no longer enough for a productive workflow. Designing a full-blown home-based office can be challenging, ranging from finding the adequate space where your work won’t be interrupted by other household activities or chores, to creating an optimal workstation which is comfortable and motivates you to work harder. Fortunately, this ancient art can help with modern challenges. So, let’s see some of the best Feng Shui guidelines that will lead you to your ideal home office.
Free the space to free the mind
Cluttered spaces can drain your energy and make you feel nervous and anxious, which is definitely not good for your productivity. To prevent that from happening, you should use Feng Shui to clear your office of obvious and hidden cluttered spots. Once you find the space that fits your needs for a home office, schedule a decluttering day, and enjoy your success after it. You can either throw away the things you don’t need, store them someplace else, sell them or give them to charity.
Separate the private from the professional
Creating a clear cut between your office and the rest of your home is essential for effective work. So, place your home office away from your bedroom (you don’t want to be tempted to take a nap during the workday). If you can’t completely separate the office from the bedroom, nursery, kitchen and other distractions, at least use curtains or room dividers. A square rug to zone out the area can also help, and according to Feng Shui, it increases wealth.
Get your desk in the position of power
According to Feng Shui, your desk should be placed in a position from which you will be able to face the door, but not directly in front of the door. This is called the power position, and it means that energy is allowed to enter the door without getting in your way.
Make it easier to breathe
The quality and the flow of air in a room are imperative for a room designed according to the principles of Feng Shui. Unfortunately, indoor air is often contaminated with various toxins. To purify it as much as you can, you should keep the windows open and get an air purifier. You can also use essential oils to affect the energy of the room. Peppermint, rosemary and lemongrass will keep you awake and focused, and lavender and chamomile will help you with de-stressing.
Use the power of green to banish stress
Speaking of purifying the air and de-stressing, introducing houseplants can be an immense help to the atmosphere of your home office. Some of the most Feng-Shui-approved plants for the office are the Areca Plant, Bamboo Palm and Peace Lily. Besides bringing in some nature, clearing the air and improving the energy, houseplants also serve a decorative purpose especially if you buy beautiful pots online and complement the style of the space.
Let there be natural light
Natural light is one of the basics of proper Feng Shui, because it is the strongest manifestation of energy. Open the windows to let the sunlight in. If the room is too dark, you can try removing the curtains altogether. Another useful thing for dark rooms, or for working after the sun is down, are full-spectrum lights which provide your home office with the next best lighting after the real deal.
Color it with inspiration
The color of your walls, furniture and accessories can also affect the energy in the room. In Feng Shui, colors are connected with the five elements (fire, earth, metal, water and wood). Fire colors (red, orange and purple) should be dominant in the South area. Earth colors (beige and light yellow) bring stability and they should be represented in the Northeast and Southeast area. Metal colors (e.g. grey) are associated with stability and they need to be included in the North part. Water colors (blue and black) are symbols of abundance and they are welcome in the East and Southeast areas. Wood (brown, green) is related to prosperity and health and it needs to be introduced in the East and Southeast area.
Feng Shui principles can help you usher peace into your office and help you remain focused and creative.
About the author:
Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”
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