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Find the Center of Your House
In Feng Shui, finding the true center of your home is an important first step before making any other changes. There are a few different ways to find the center of your house.
Geometric Center
The geometric center is the physical, mathematical center of your floor plan. To find it, measure the length and width of each room on the ground floor. Then measure the overall length and width of the entire ground floor. The place where the midpoint lines intersect is considered the geometric center of your home.
This is useful for modern floorplans and homes with open concept designs. The geometric center balances the energy of the whole home.
Classical Feng Shui Bagua
The Bagua map is a powerful Feng Shui tool used to divide your home into nine sections. Each section governs certain areas of your life.
To use the Bagua, stand facing your front door from inside the home. The center section of the Bagua map aligns with the center of your home. This marks the central energy area connected to grounding, health, and family.
The Bagua shows how each section of your home impacts different life areas based on classical Feng Shui principles.
Black Hat Nine-Square Map
The nine-square grid is another placement tool used in classical Feng Shui. It divides your home into 81 squares, with nine key squares in the middle forming the center.
To use the nine-square method, plot out a floor plan of your home divided into nine columns and nine rows. Just like the Bagua map, the central nine squares denote the center of your home.
This grid style map provides detailed analysis for a classical Feng Shui assessment. It helps diagnose imbalances and choose precise remedies.
Using the Center of Your Home
The center of the home is an important area in Feng Shui, as it represents the heart and health of the entire home. Using the center of your home thoughtfully can promote harmony, strengthen relationships, and support good fortune.
Center Dining Room
Having the dining room located in the center of the home brings your family together in a nourishing way. Shared meals cultivate unity and closeness among family members. The dining table becomes a heartwarming hub where loved ones reconnect over food and conversation.
As the dining room radiates outward from the home’s core, family ties are reinforced with each meal. A central dining room also enables easy access from other areas of the house. This convenient, unifying position makes the dining room a natural gathering place.
A round or oval dining table is ideal for promoting open discussion and connection. Place the table so diners face inward, with their backs to walls or windows. This closed, secure placement focuses positive energy.
Family/Living Room in Center of Home
The central family or living room also unites the household. This communal space draws everyone in the home together regularly. Centrally placed sofas and chairs nurture intimacy. The family room provides a warm venue for playing games, reading, and bonding.
As the core relaxation and leisure area, the centrally positioned family room exudes a welcoming vibe. An open floorplan allows positive energy to freely circulate throughout the rest of the home. A round coffee table mirrors the shape of an embrace, encouraging closeness.
Locate the TV on a side wall rather than above the central seating area. This preserves the space for interacting, rather than isolating people. Place uplifting art, healthy plants, and inspiring affirmations in the family room to cultivate happiness and wellness.
Perfecting the Center of Your Home
The center of your home relates to the energy of health, family, and stability according to classical feng shui principles. Having a staircase located right in the middle can negatively impact these important home energies and disrupt the natural flow of chi through your home.
Staircases represent ‘rising energy’ and when positioned in the center can cause energy to rise too quickly or forcefully through your home. This fast moving energy can lead to anxiety, restlessness, and health issues for homeowners. The central area of your home should promote grounded, stable energy so your family can flourish.
A staircase located in the middle also divides the home awkwardly and blocks the open flow between rooms. This division separates your home into two halves rather than allowing a seamless connection from front to back. The divided sections can isolate family members and prevent the experience of your home as a unified whole.
For optimum feng shui, it’s best to avoid having any staircase located directly in the center of your floor plan. The central area should remain open to allow energy to circulate freely throughout your entire home. If reconfiguring your floor plan isn’t possible, there are remedies to counteract the effects of a center staircase which we’ll explore in the next section.
Remedies for Center Staircases
Having a staircase positioned in the center of your home can create an imbalance in the flow of chi energy. Staircases represent an upward movement, which can feel disruptive when situated in the stable, grounded middle of a home. Fortunately, there are some feng shui remedies and cures that can help counteract the effects of a center staircase.
One simple solution is to install a wide angle mirror at the base of the stairs, positioned so it reflects the entryway of your home. The mirror helps create the illusion of a larger space and draws energy into the center of the home. For an added cure, place a potted plant or fresh flowers on a table at the mirror’s base – living plants are thought to balance the active chi of staircases.
If possible, visually conceal the staircase by using an antique screen or hanging tapestry as a curtain to soften the imposing upward movement. You can also place art, wall hangings, or photographs on the visible underside area of the stairs to disguise it. The images should be peaceful and represent balanced elements such as water, trees, or mountains.
Wind chimes placed strategically around the center staircase are another excellent remedy, as they will help circulate the energy. For optimal effect, choose round-shaped chimes to enhance harmony. You can also install wall sconces or table lamps to add fire energy and brightness.
Finally, ensure the area under the stairs remains free of clutter. This space should not be used as closed storage, or the trapped energy can stagnate. By implementing just a few feng shui fixes, a center staircase can be transformed into a auspicious design element.
Cure for Other Home Center Afflictions
Having a hallway or fireplace in the center of your home can disrupt the flow of chi energy. Here’s how to mitigate the issues they may cause:
Hallway in the Center
A hallway running through the center of your home can create a feeling of disconnection between rooms. It also encourages energy to move too quickly through your home without gathering in key living spaces.
To improve the flow, place seating or attractive furniture in the hallway to slow down movement. Beautiful art pieces along the walls also help energy accumulate. If possible, close off one end of the hallway to prevent chi from rushing straight through your home.
Fireplace in the Center
Fireplaces tend to draw energy towards them, which pulls chi away from other areas of your home. This is especially problematic if located in the center. The rush of energy may cause family members to feel unsettled.
Try keeping the fireplace unlit as much as possible. When a fire is burning, keep the room doors open to circulate warmth and energy to other rooms. Hang a crystal near the fireplace to break up the strong pull of energy. Beautiful flowers, peaceful artwork or feng shui symbols above the mantle also help counter the sharp energy.
Feng Shui Tips for Furniture Layout
In feng shui, furniture placement is very important for promoting positive chi energy flow in your home. Follow these tips when arranging furnishings:
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Position your bed so you can see the door when lying in it. This allows you to monitor the energy entering your space. Don’t position your bed under a window, as the energy can flow right over you as you sleep.
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Angle your bed so your feet don’t point out the door when you are sleeping. This is thought to cause energy to drain away while you rest.
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Place nightstands on either side of the bed to provide balance and stability. Make sure lamps and other items on the nightstands are equal in height and size as well for harmony.
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Position dressers and wardrobes against solid walls, not freestanding in the middle of the room. Allow space for chi energy to circulate around and behind them.
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Arrange seating areas so people can see each other when conversing. Facing each other promotes connection. Avoid seating directly in line with doorways.
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In the dining room, make sure the table is accessible from all sides so chi energy can flow freely around it. Position the dining table so diners have a solid wall or visual anchor behind them when seated.
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Mirrors are powerful feng shui tools. Strategically place them so they reflect areas you want to expand, but avoid reflecting the front door, kitchen, bathroom or sleeping areas.
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Keep floor space in the center of rooms open. Furniture crammed into the middle of the room strangles the flow of positive chi.
Choose the Right Feng Shui Colors
Color is an integral part of Feng Shui design for the center of the home. Different colors evoke different energies and meanings that can enhance or disrupt the chi flow.
When decorating the center of your home, aim for colors that promote positivity, warmth, and family togetherness. Earth tones like tan, brown, yellow and terra cotta are excellent choices. They bring a grounded, stable energy. Greens and blues also harmonize well in home centers.
Specifically for center living and dining spaces, consider:
Yellows – Cheerful, bright shades promote communication and clarity. Avoid neon yellows. Soft buttery yellows are best.
Blues – From aqua to navy, these colors cultivate calm, relaxation and security. Light sky blues are especially nice.
Greens – Emerald to sage greens nurture family bonds. They also symbolize health and prosperity. Avoid dark forest greens.
Tans & Browns – These natural, earthy neutrals provide a sense of comfort and belonging. Warm beiges, mochas and browns work well.
In addition to walls, accent furniture like sofas, armchairs and window treatments in these harmonious tones can help unify your home’s center. Avoid extremely bold reds or blacks in substantial areas, as they may feel overwhelming.
Ultimately, choose colors that make your family feel positively uplifted in your home’s heart. Let the hues you select enhance the close connections shared in this important space.
Enhance Chi Energy Flow
In feng shui, chi refers to the natural energy flow in a space. Chi energy nourishes your home with qualities like harmony, tranquility and luck. There are several enhancements you can add to strengthen the chi flow through your home’s center.
Mirrors are excellent feng shui enhancers to promote chi circulation in central spaces. Mirrors multiply energy flow and light. Place a large mirror on the wall opposite your front door to double incoming opportunities and positive energy. You can also hang a faceted crystal near your mirror to amplify its power.
Fountains and other moving water elements boost prosperity and success luck energies. The element of water boosts career opportunities, so place a small fountain or aquarium in your central living room. Opt for a circular fountain shape rather than sharp angles. Ensure the central water feature is kept clean and well-maintained.
Plants lend natural wood element energy to nourish your space. They also promote healthy chi circulation through oxygenation. Place a potted plant or fresh flowers on your central dining table. Opt for rounded leaf shapes rather than spiky plants. Keep live plants looking vibrant by watering them daily and giving them plenty of sunlight.
Display Feng Shui Symbols
Incorporating feng shui symbols and artwork into the center of your home can enhance positive chi energy. Here are some recommendations for displaying feng shui symbols in your home’s center:
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Dragon and Phoenix: These are two of the most powerful feng shui symbols, representing the perfect balance of yin and yang energy. Display them prominently in your living room or family room. You can use wall hangings, sculptures, or even pillows and blankets. Position them embracing each other for harmony.
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Laughing Buddha: The laughing Buddha statue is thought to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness. Place this in your dining room or family room. Make sure his belly is prominently displayed and he looks approachable and friendly.
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Elephants: Symbols of strength, protection, and wisdom. Use elephant sculptures or artworks in entryways or living spaces. Place them in pairs for balance. Elephant heads are also said to draw luck.
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Crystals: Clear quartz, amethyst, and citrine crystals boost positive energy. Place them on shelves, coffee tables, and counters throughout central home spaces. Group 3 or 9 together based on feng shui principles.
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Bagua Map: Hang a traditional bagua map in central rooms aligning with your home’s layout. This reminds you to focus on different life aspirations in designated areas.
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Yin Yang Symbol: Represents perfect balance. Display in entryways or living room in a graphic print or subtle artwork. Black and white color scheme is ideal.
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Mandarin Ducks: Represent love and marriage. Use mandarin duck artworks or figurines in living room. Position male and female ducks facing each other.
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Lucky Bamboo: Known to bring financial luck. Place in bright, indirect sunlight in dining room or family room. Use healthy, thriving plants with stalks grouped in 3, 5, or 8.
By thoughtfully incorporating feng shui symbols into artwork and decor in the center rooms of your home, you can enhance the flow of positive energy and bring meaning to the spaces. Consult a feng shui practitioner if you need help determining the best placements and pairings for optimal results.
Consult a Feng Shui Expert
For more advanced Feng Shui dilemmas, it’s often best to seek the guidance of a trained professional. Feng Shui is a complex ancient art and science that takes years of study and practice to fully master. A qualified Feng Shui consultant can provide an in-depth analysis of your home’s energy flow using traditional principles and calculations.
Some signs it may be time to call in an expert:
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You’ve tried common Feng Shui tips but still feel your home’s energy is unbalanced.
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There are major obstructions or challenges in your home’s layout that can’t be easily remedied.
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Your home faces an unfavorable direction according to classical Feng Shui formulas.
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You are undertaking major renovations and want to optimize the plans for good Feng Shui.
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You need guidance on selecting auspicious move-in dates or blessing/dedication rituals when purchasing a new home.
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You feel there may be deeper metaphysical or inauspicious energies affecting your home that require specialized remediation.
A professional consultant can conduct a site visit and provide custom recommendations to restore harmony and favorable energy flow based on your home’s unique layout, orientation and surroundings. Though their services are an added expense, a Feng Shui master can save you time and frustration compared to tackling issues on your own through trial and error. For complex Feng Shui challenges, investing in an expert assessment can be well worth the investment.