Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese system of laws that concern how items are arranged in a space that allows energy – chi – to flow unhindered. It is a system that is applied to the where a building is built, the direction it faces and how interior items of furniture are arranged.
To prevent blockages of chi in the home and garden, even when it is not possible to knock it down and start again, the principles of Feng Shui can still be applied in spaces and areas that exist. This is why many people and gardeners who understand the concept of Feng Shui and the power it has for balancing harmony in a space, use it to determine the final design of their outdoor space.
So, where is the best place for your stylish rattan garden furniture? Should you incorporate a waterfall? Are you mixing the wrong colours in the wrong places, blocking harmony and chi?
Simple ways to include Feng Shui principles
Many believe that by composing a garden that works in harmony with them and nature, it becomes a place that relaxes and revives the mind, body and soul in equal measure. And so, without knocking down walls or heavy lifting, how can you apply Feng Shui to your garden?
We assume that everything in the garden is ‘natural’ but in recent decades, our penchant for cheaper materials has meant this is not always the case. Rattan, for example, is a better alternative to plastic garden furniture, simply because it is a natural material and from a sustainable source too. But it is not just the materials we use. It can be the design of the garden and its contents. For example, leave a patch to become a wild garden, allowing wildflowers and native species to thrive, for insects to visit and not be harmed by chemicals and for birds to enjoy the space too.
Trees are an important part of Feng Shui in the outdoors but pay close attention to them. They should not be overgrown or touch your property.
Is there water in your garden?
Flowing water is generally good within Feng Shui, promoting the flow of energy in a space and is also thought to increase income too. Water in the Feng Shui system includes natural bodies of water, such as lakes and ponds, as well as man-made ponds. Waterfalls and fountains are also good news when it comes to Feng Shui.
If you haven’t already, why not add running water or create a pond, both create for wildlife.
Bagua is a principle of Feng Shui that concerns where things are placed according to eight trigrams. By having the right things in the right places, key aspects of your life are harmonised.
For example, it could be that if a relationship is under stress, there may be an aspect of the Feng Shui within your home or garden that is out of line. By moving it, harmony is restored.
The simplest of changes can have a huge impact on how people enjoy a space. The principles of Feng Shui suggest that a round dining table is more harmonising in a space, including the garden, perhaps people linger longer. There is no ‘header or footer’ at a round table, no one in charge, no one at the bottom of the pile – all equal and all harmonious.
Have you considered the five-elemental colour cycle?
The colours representing fire, earth, wood, metal and water need to be incorporated in your garden in a way that accents and harmonises, rather than hinders and damages. Not come across the concept before? The five-elemental colour cycle is easy to adapt to your garden.
Is your garden too still?
We associate calmness with stillness and whilst this may be true, no movement in the garden can cause your chi to stagnate. Windmills and bunting flags that gently flutter in the breeze could be the very pieces that allow the harmony and energy to flow through the space.
Feng Shui is not just about adapting the space for your own ends but for your family too. Better still, your summer BBQ guests or friends that pop by for afternoon tea will have no idea how the ancient art of Feng Shui is having a positive impact on them. But you will because you will all linger, for lingering and be more relaxed and revived…
Feng Shui is not just about adapting the space for your own ends but for your family too. Better still, your summer BBQ guests or friends that pop by for afternoon tea will have no idea how the ancient art of Feng Shui is having a positive impact on them. But you will because you will all linger, for lingering and be more relaxed and revived…
Rattan Direct help customer achieve harmony and balance in their gardens with a range of garden furniture made from sustainable materials.
*PR collaboration
*PR collaboration
I have looked into this for my home, but never thought about the garden - really like the sound of it. I'd love to get a water feature in the garden
ReplyDeleteWater features add something special to a garden I think and they are so relaxing when you watch it.
DeleteThis is so great. We have spent 3 years making our garden wildlife friendly but still a functioning garden. I adore sitting outside listening to the birds and watching the frogs in the pond. Feng shui is a bit like shirin yoku which I recently tried where you absorb yourself in the outside being around nature, it's so good for your health.
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to sit and watch nature isn't it?
Delete