6 Feng Shui Tips For Small Living Spaces

Is it difficult to relax in your small home or apartment? Are you having a hard time getting to sleep? How about your energy levels, do you feel drained while inside your small living space? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your living space might be out of sync.

When this happens, the ancient art of feng shui can snap your living space into a harmonious state. Simply put, feng shui is a way to rearrange your home to improve its effect on your quality of life. There are a lot of intricate rules to this ancient Chinese belief, and it’s tough to practice in tight spaces.

But don’t worry; we’ve compiled a space-saving list of our favorite feng shui tips to make your quaint living space a happy one.

1. Clear the Clutter

A clean, clutter-free apartment is a harmonious one in the land of feng shui. You want energy to flow freely through your living area, and clutter tends to impede your flow.

In a small space, it’s easy to let bills pile up or let magazines take over your coffee table, but if you can keep the clutter to a minimum you may just improve your overall emotional state. Moving that pile of bills to a desk drawer, for example, may help decrease your financial stress.

One of the most important areas you’ll want to de-clutter is your entryway. This is a main energy source, so you want as little junk in that area as possible. Shoes, for example, can add a lot of clutter to the area. Use a decorative storage box to store shoes and only keep a coat or two near the entryway.

By getting rid of the clutter, your small space will not only look bigger, but also increase the amount of positive energy that can enter your home.

2. Divide Your Rooms

Each room needs balance, which means it needs its own division. In a small living space this can be tough because most rooms spill into the next, but there are some space-smart, room-dividing options. Size-appropriate screens are an option, or consider creating a small division line with tall plants. Placing two or three plants between the kitchen and dining room, for example, is enough of a division to balance the energy. A bookshelf or a row of curtains can also divide a room in a small space.

3. Hang Mirrors

Mirrors are a feng shui miracle for small homes and apartments. Mirrors reflect light and give your space a larger appearance.

Try to hang a mirror near a window to bounce natural light into the room. This is especially useful when placed to the side of your front door, never directly facing the front door. Try to mount mirrors where you can see the reflection of outdoor views, as this is believed to bring more beauty into your home.

Another popular Feng Shui technique is to hang a mirror behind the top burners of your stove-top, as this is believed to magnify wealth.

Additionally, make sure you clean your mirrors often and avoid hanging mirrors right across from each other.

4. Select Soothing Decorations For Your Bedroom

When you first wake up in the morning, you want something soothing to greet you. A painting of a nature scene or a waterfall would be perfect. Since you’re tight on space, consider framing tranquil-looking postcards and set them on your nightstand.

You should also consider removing any electronics from your bedroom. Easier said than done, I know, but electronics can make you feel hurried and that’s not what you want first thing in the morning.

At the very least, put your cell phone in your nightstand drawer and don’t bring your laptop into the bedroom at night.

5. Incorporate the Five Elements

In feng shui there are Five Elements  —  wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Each element channels a certain kind of energy. Wood brings about peace and prosperity; fire symbolizes passion; earth encourages stability; metal improves focus; and water enhances communication. Depending on the kind of energy you want, you should incorporate that element in your living space.

You don’t necessarily have to buy a metal desk to be more focused; you can create the same energy by incorporating the color of the element into the room. For example, to encourage a more productive environment you could paint the walls gray rather than buy a metal desk.

6. Add A Small Window Garden

Living plants are a big part of feng shui because they can absorb negative energy and improve air quality. However, adding lots of plants to a small space can make your apartment feel smaller, so you have to be clever in your plant selection and placement. Try planting a small herb garden next to your window, or add a flowering houseplant to your windowsill, such as an African violet.

Despite living in a tight space, you can still achieve the energy you want in your home or apartment, you just have to be a little creative in your application of feng shui. Overall, you’re looking to make furniture and design choices that make you feel happy in your home.