Feng Shui is an ancient system of Chinese aesthetics that has been popularized in the last few decades, and has become increasingly popular for home staging. The discipline of Feng Shui focuses on the balance and movement of energy throughout a business or home. Feng Shui is a complex, multifaceted discipline that requires years of training to master. In ancient China, Feng Shui was used to determine the orientation of a dwelling to maximize something akin to auspiciousness — meaning favorable, or lending itself to future success. So, an auspicious environment brings forth future success.
Today, Western use of Feng Shui is mostly limited to interior decorating. Western practitioners have received criticism for misunderstanding and misusing the complexity of Feng Shui. But the principles of simplicity and energy movement allow for a common-sense approach to decorating and home staging.
Two of the Feng Shui concepts that are perhaps the easiest for novices to embrace are the principles of Qi (pronounced “chee” in English) and Polarity. Qi is the energy or “life force” in an environment and how it flows through that environment. The factors affecting the quality and movement of Qi are many. Polarity refers to the male (yang) and female (yin) energy in a room. Ideally, yin and yang are balanced in any room. For example, the male energy of a large piece of furniture is balanced by being placed against a wall.
Whether you personally ascribe to this methodology or not, when staging a home, the practice of Feng Shui can add much needed simplicity and effectiveness to any space. The idea behind most Feng Shui techniques is to keep energy moving in a natural and beneficial way and to balance polarity. When staging a home, this makes sense; you want your buyer to get the feeling that they are stepping into their future. So creating an environment that flows is critical.
Feng Shui experts offer some tips that an amateur can use in home staging. First, you want to create a flow of energy throughout the room. Since energy comes through doors, avoid blocking doorways with furniture that could interrupt the energy flow. Create space in any room by avoiding clutter and over-furnishing. Lots of space not only creates a sense of flow, but also makes room for the imagination. Clean, horizontal lines are used often in Feng Shui. The front entrance especially should be a welcoming place with “great energy.” Plants and a nearby wind chime can help. A wall should anchor any large furniture. Additionally, you can engage the senses — well-placed artwork, a variety of textures or a subtle indoor fountain can add to the overall ambiance.
When home staging, using the concepts of Feng Shui can be a fun and engaging way to approach the décor. CORT is available to help with your home staging needs. With a wide assortment of clearance furniture and our extensive home furniture rental and office furniture rental services, we’re ready to assist you achieve your perfect Feng Shui aesthetic.
