by Angela Lord

Created on: November 20, 2008   Last Updated: January 23, 2009

According to the Oriental art of Feng Shui, creating a harmonious home helps to bring about health, happiness and success in life.

Feng Shui, which means "wind" and "water", refers to the two most powerful elemental forces that are deemed essential to our survival.

Achieving a balance between the calm, "feminine" side known as Yin, and the dynamic, masculine Yang, establishes a healthy flow of energy in our lives, and the same concept can also be applied to our homes.

Quick fixes for improving the energy flow around the house include clearing rooms of clutter, placing pot plants in corners, and using wind chimes to create good vibrations.

Each part of the house has its own significance and there are ways of altering the living space to enable the energy, known as "chi", to flow more freely:

*The living room: Furniture should be arranged around a central focal point. Chairs should not be placed with their backs to the doorway. If you can move around the room with ease, the energy should flow freely, too.

*The kitchen: Associated with nourishment and health. The oven should not be too close to the fridge or sink, as this causes a clash of the fire and water elements. Green is a good colour to use for decoration.

*The bedroom: Mirrors should not face the bed, since reflections are thought to cause restless nights. Don't hang pictures above the bed as their presence could also disturb sleep. Placing the head of the bed against the wall provides a sense of security. Avoid sleeping with feet pointing towards the door.

*The bathroom: As running water can be a drain on "chi" energy, any leaks should be fixed immediately. Make sure taps are not left to drip. The toilet should be unobtrusive, and not placed against a wall with a bed on the other side.

*The garden: Soften rectangular layouts by adding curved features, such as flower beds. Rockeries are best placed along the northern wall of the house, to give support, while a pond should ideally be situated to the south.

The colours you choose to decorate your house have different properties which can affect the atmosphere of the room and perhaps the mood of the people in it!

Red: a warm colour symbolising happiness.

Green: stands for peace, prosperity and harmony.

Gold: a precious metal whose brilliance symbolises strength and wealth

White: the colour of purity, calm and peace

Blue: represents the sky and the heavens.

Yellow: a bright colour representing cheerfulness

The most favoured colours in Feng Shui are red, green and gold. These colours are traditionally used to decorate the Pa Kua, an auspicious symbol which can be hung in the hallway of your home to bring good luck.

The Pa Kua is made up of eight sectors, each associated with a particular aspect of life. Use a compass to check which area of your home belongs to a particular sector. If there are any areas of your life you wish to improve, start by enhancing the associated areas in your home.

South: Recognition and home

South west: Marriage

West: Children

Northwest: Mentors - useful or influential people

North: Career

Northeast: Education

East: Health, family relationships

Southeast: Wealth and prosperity

Suggested reading: Feng Shui by Stephen Skinner, Quick Feng Shui Cures by Sarah Shurety, Feng Shui Fundamentals by Lilian Too.

The Feng Shui Company www.fengshuisite.com stocks a range of books and items.

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