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Feng Shui is the philosophy of arranging the space and objects in your home to promote the flow of Chi, or vital energy. Feng Shui principles can be applied to small spaces as well as large, open ones. They can promote energy flow whether the small space you are designing is a studio apartment, a small room, a hallway, or even a closet.

Studio Apartments

The challenge of applying Feng Shui to a studio apartment is less from the small space, but rather from the multiple uses in one room. In various rooms of a home, Feng Shui dictates certain items hold the command position. This is the position in the room that can easily see the doorway without being directly in line with it.

In a studio apartment, the bed, couch, desk, and stove all compete for the command position. Something has to give. Unless your floor plans allows you to easily section off the sleeping area with curtains or screens, often the best solution is to give prominence to the bed.

Place the bed in easy view of the entrance, but avoid pointing the footboard directly toward the door. If you must, place a trunk or bench at the foot of the bed. Next, position the couch or other primary seating, your desk, and other furniture. If you cannot see the door from the seating area, desk, or stove, hang a mirror that reflects the doorway.

As you arrange your furniture, allow for an easy flow of movement throughout the apartment. Opting for furniture with round corners will help considerably in a small or multiple use space. Sharp corners create invisible arrows that shoot through the space, disrupting energy. If your furniture has sharp corners, soften them by draping fabric over the tops.

Add healthy plants to freshen the air and promote positive energy. Plants with broad, rounded leaves and a graceful appearance are best. Be sure to properly maintain plants, as a neglected plant will drain Chi from your home.

Small Rooms

Small rooms are less of a challenge than rooms with multiple purposes. When properly arranged, small rooms can be cozy retreats. Following the guidelines above, place the dominant piece of furniture in the command position of the room. This can be the couch in a living room, a desk in a home office, or the bed in a bedroom.

Selecting furniture with rounded corners and adding plants will improve the flow of Chi. Adding a large mirror can help expand the space. Select mirrors in one clean piece, instead of mosaic or multi-paned mirrors that break up the reflection.

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