{"id":305,"date":"2017-09-09T18:27:39","date_gmt":"2017-09-09T18:27:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/?p=305"},"modified":"2021-08-24T16:13:50","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T16:13:50","slug":"how-to-feng-shui-your-office","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/how-to-feng-shui-your-office.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Feng Shui Your Office"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Fire

CC0 Creative Commons via Pixabay<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Feng shui<\/a> is an ancient Chinese system of arranging one\u2019s dwelling to promote the flow of life energy (chi). The feng shui philosophy supposes that inhabitants derive much of their personal chi<\/a> from their surroundings. If the energy flow within the environment is enhanced, it will create positive energy within the inhabitants. Home and office transformations based on feng shui principles are said to make occupants more productive, creative, happy, and healthy. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The ancient Chinese recognized five main types of chi energy, each of which served to inspire a different response in occupants of a space. These various types of chi forces are named: tree, fire, earth, metal, and water<\/strong>. Much of these life forces enter a room from the external world, depending on the position of the sun and a building\u2019s windows and doors.  Chi can also be introduced into a room in the form of objects and colors. Occupants can, thus, manipulate a space to inspire a certain frame of mind they hope to achieve.<\/p>\n

Below is a chart that shows the five chi energies, how they can be brought into an office space, and the corresponding states of mind they may induce in occupants. It also displays which energy each chi supports or bolsters. Altering an office area in accordance with some of these feng shui principles may enhance a worker\u2019s sense of contentedness and creativity, and, thus, render him or her more productive.
\n

Chi Addition Chart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
 <\/th>Exterior Source<\/th>Interior Color<\/th>Interior Object<\/th>Supports<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tree<\/td>Rising Sun - Enters through east<\/td>green, teal<\/td>wood, wicker, paper, bamboo<\/td>Fire<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fire<\/td>High Sun - Enters through south<\/td>red, orange, purple<\/td>fireplaces, candles<\/td>Soil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Earth\/Soil<\/td>Sundown - Enters through southwest<\/td>brown, yellow<\/td>plaster, china, clay, bricks, ceramics, natural fibers<\/td>Metal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Metal<\/td>Sunset - Enters through west<\/td>white, metallic<\/td>metal, iron, silver, stainless steel<\/td>Water<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water<\/td>Night - Enters through north<\/td>blue, black<\/td>sinks, glass, aquariums, fountains<\/td>Tree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nView an image version of this table to download or embed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Just as a person can choose to add different types of chi energy to a space, he or she can also cancel out or diminish various chi energies. When one starts to factor in diminishment, feng shui principals can get kind of complicated. For instance, bringing in too much water chi is going to destroy the effects of fire chi, and it\u2019s going to calm the effects of a metal chi. <\/strong>The chart below illustrates which chi forces cancel out or diminish other chi forces.
\n
\n

Chi Depletion Chart<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
 <\/th>Depletes<\/th>Diminishes<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Tree<\/td>soil<\/td>water<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Fire<\/td>metal<\/td>tree<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Earth\/Soil<\/td>water<\/td>fire<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Metal<\/td>tree<\/td>soil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Water<\/td>fire<\/td>metal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nView an image version of this table to download or embed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here are some very basic ways to utilize feng shui principles in your office setting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

De-Clutter:<\/h2>\n

Clutter is the archenemy of feng shui<\/strong> because it physically blocks the flow of energy, which, thus, drains vital energy from inhabitants. Because organized surroundings promote clear thinking, every item in an office should have a place. At least 50% of the desk should be object free at all times.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using a cabinet for storage will help to alleviate desk clutter. If an office contains a lot of papers and files that need work, it might be best to have a cabinet with doors that can be closed. An open view of uncompleted paperwork might impede workflow, as the stack will serve as a constant stressor hindering a worker\u2019s productivity during the task at hand.<\/p>\n

If completed work is easily organized, an open cabinet, such as the Brisa Pier Cabinet shown below, will work well, especially if the shelves contain some items attractive to the eye. According to feng shui principles, because the frame is made of metal, it will stimulate the life forces of strength and independence within the work area. The Brisa Cabinet also contains the element of wood, which brings the chi force that stimulates growth and expansion into the setting.<\/p>\n

\"Brisa<\/a>

This Brisa Pier Cabinet<\/a> is composed of metal, tempered glass, and wood veneer. It is available in two either chrome or champagne colors.<\/p><\/div>\n

Limit Synthetic Materials, Artificial Lighting, Air Conditioning, and Electronics:<\/strong><\/p>\n

These items are said to exert negatively-charged chi energy upon an office\u2019s occupants.  Feng shui philosophy recommends natural-fiber decorating materials<\/a>, natural light and natural airflow, and that electronics be kept covered or unplugged when not in use. Of course, most offices couldn\u2019t function without a computer being on at all times. The unfavorable chi energy from the computer can be diminished by ensuring the space has lots of live plants.<\/p>\n

And what about TVs?<\/strong> If possible, according to feng shui principles, it is best to remove them from the area.<\/strong> In addition to emitting harmful electric and magnetic fields (EMFs), they also pull an occupant\u2019s focus toward the screen, thus producing a constant temptation to escape concentration on the task at hand. For those offices that require access to a television, feng shui experts recommend covering the device. It\u2019s an easy matter to enclose the screen\u2019s associated electronic components inside an entertainment media console<\/a>, but because screens have gotten so large these days, it is more difficult to find closed-door cabinets to cover them. In this case, feng shui experts recommend covering a screen with an attractive scarf.<\/p>\n

\"Tifton<\/a>

This AIM Tifton Oak<\/a> Audio Video Component Cabinet can be used to cover audio-video components. It is made of wood veneers and solids with a tinted glass door. It measures 24″W x 22″D x 42″H.<\/p><\/div>\n

Here\u2019s a nifty idea. A TV screen\u2019s power to entice a worker from tasks can be weakened by introducing an entertainment media stand with a fireplace into the office space. The worker\u2019s focus will be drawn away from the television and, instead, toward dancing flames. The office will radiate fire chi energy which will inspire passionate job performance.<\/p>\n

\"Grover<\/a>

This 54\u201d Grover Cool Gray TV Media Stand<\/a> with Electric Fireplace features wood-framed, tempered glass doors with brushed nickel handles.<\/p><\/div>\n

Use Appropriate Colors on Walls and Floors<\/h2>\n

Recommended wall and floor colors for office spaces are soft golds, yellows, sandstones, even pale orange, and greens and blues. These colors will relax, yet promote growth and expansion. Too many dark browns and yellows will ground and stabilize, but won\u2019t stimulate the mind. Too much red or a blaring orange will overstimulate the mind.<\/p>\n

Use Decorative Touches to Inspire Desired Chi<\/h2>\n

Of course, some people need more stabilizing and grounding. In this case, rather than painting the walls brown or yellow, add these colors through decorative touches. Incorporate brown or yellow objects, and use items made of china or clay. In the same vein, if workers need more stimulation, don\u2019t paint the walls red, just add some red objects to the d\u00e9cor, and maybe introduce brighter lighting fixtures<\/a> or an electric fireplace<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Try It!<\/h2>\n

It takes a bit of thought, but by referring to the Chi Addition and Chi Depletion Charts above, a space can be tailored to induce more or less of a certain type of chi energy. Let\u2019s use the office pictured below to discern how different life forces can be inspired in its worker.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s imagine that the windows in this office face west, which would mean the room receives mostly metal chi energy at sunset. Because the office is also very white colored and contains metal window frames, it is heavy on metal chi. While metal chi promotes strength and clarity, too much of it can render a space sterile and detached.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where an occupant can personalize the space to tone down the metal chi, and add the chi energy that they are trying to attract. Let\u2019s say that they want to inspire more passion in their work. The metal chi can be diminished by adding water, maybe in the form of a fountain or an aquarium. Some orange objects, such as an area rug<\/a> or decorative bowl<\/a>, might be brought into the setting.<\/p>\n

\"Zuri<\/a>

An art object such as this Zuri Decorative Bowl<\/a> would add some inspiration to an office setting.<\/p><\/div>\n

A true expert in feng shui considers many different aspects of chi energy, as well as the desires of the occupant. When applying feng shui principles to your office, it might be best to draw and color a draft of the room, just to test out how your ideas affect you. To learn more about this ancient Chinese philosophy, I recommend Simon Brown\u2019s book, Principles of Feng Shui<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n

For more tips on home styling, please visit Fine Furniture San Diego<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Additional Home Styling Resources:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. How to Arrange an Area Rug<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Basic Color Coordination \u2013 Earn Your Color Credentials<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Eclectic Backyard Decoration Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Fine Furniture San Diego Consultant, Colleen Cochran, is writer and graphic artist who covers home and hearth design.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Feng shui is an ancient Chinese system of arranging one\u2019s dwelling to promote the flow of life energy (chi). The feng shui philosophy supposes that inhabitants derive much of their personal chi from their surroundings. If the energy flow within … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home-decor-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=305"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":668,"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/305\/revisions\/668"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.finefurnituresandiego.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}