by Jeanne Williams

Created on: January 27, 2009

If you're looking for a way to turn your home into a harmonious retreat without spending a fortune, the principles of feng shui may be what you need. Feng shui, a Chinese term meaning "wind-water," centers around the idea that the earth is alive and generates its own energy. That energy, if used properly, can bring prosperity and harmony. Poorly used, it leads to hardship and discontent.

Feng shui uses five elementswood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each element, in turn, is signified through the use of specific colors. According to feng shui expert Rodika Tchi, wood represents health and vitality; feng shui decorating uses the colors brown and green to signify wood . Fire stands for energy and passion and is represented, unsurprisingly, by red and orange. Earth, symbolized by beige and light yellow tones, brings stability to a home. Metal (gray and white) brings clarity and efficiency to a home. Finally, water (blue and black) embodies calm.

The correct placement of these colors and elements is an important part of achieving the balance feng shui aims for. Tchi recommends placing the elements as follows:

Wood: east, southeast, south.

Fire: south, southwest, northeast.

Earth: center, northeast, southwest.

Metal: west, northwest, north.

Water: east, southeast, south.

Why put these elements in particular spots? According to HGTV.com, each section of the house represents different characteristics. The southwest corner, for example, represents love. Fire elements placed in the southwest corner, therefore, bring passion to the most appropriate spot in the house.

HGTV host Stephanie McWilliams gives the following tips for using feng shui when decorating:

Don't allow paperwork or other forms of clutter to pile up. Clutter keeps energy from entering the home.

Use plants (real plants, not plastic) to bring wood and earth elements to the home.

Avoid using fluorescent lighting.

Use round or oval dining tables.

Do not make the television the focal point of the living room. If possible, hide the TV inside a cabinet.

Place your desk directly opposite the door; don't sit with your back toward the door of your home office. This blocks the energy and prosperity from entering the room.

Add a wood or leather headboard to your bed.

Don't put a television in the bedroom.

Sleep in the spot directly opposite the bedroom door.

Applying simple tips such as these can help you create a harmonious home without spending a fortune.

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