The way you design your workspace can have a huge impact on your productivity, by keeping you focused and motivated, or by allowing you to block out distractions and interruptions. Applying feng shui office design principles is one way to foster a calm, productive work environment and create positive energy that carries over into the rest of your life.
Joyel West
What is Feng Shui?
Leslie Close, a Los Angeles-based interior designer and feng shui expert, says the ancient Chinese art “improves focus, increases success, and improves overall workflow.” Feng Shui provides guidelines for room layout, decoration, color scheme, and other elements that help promote a bright sensibility. “Whether you're at home or at work, the energy in your office influences how you feel in that space, and your mood affects your productivity and quality of work,” says Close.
How to create a feng shui office
Use these tips to bring Feng Shui to your office for a happier, more balanced work life.
1. Clean up the clutter in your office.
An organized workspace helps you focus on the task at hand rather than the clutter that surrounds you. Remove unnecessary items from your workspace, such as old documents, extra supplies, and other miscellaneous items needed for a Feng Shui office. This also applies to invisible clutter. “Don't forget to clear out the clutter in your drawers and on your computer,” says Close. “Just because it's not on your desktop doesn't mean it's not important in shaping the energy of the room.”
2. Choose a Feng Shui-friendly office layout.
The key to Feng Shui office layout is to place your desk in a command position. When you're sitting at your desk, you should be able to see the door even if you're not directly facing it. “We want to be able to see what's going to happen,” Close explains. The ideal desk placement is in the center of the room, allowing energy to flow around you, but if that's not possible, at least make sure your back is not facing the door.
Erin Kunkel
3. Bring nature into your feng shui office.
“Nature reminds us to step back, breathe, and flow. Stay focused without stress or intensity,” Close says. He uses images of plants and natural scenes to bring the calming effects of nature into the office. In particular, Close suggests displaying artwork from the mountains. “Hanging a picture of a mountain behind you allows the mountain energy to provide support and help keep you grounded,” she says. Having a window with a view can keep you inspired throughout the day.
4. Avoid the element of fire.
Feng Shui uses the elements of earth, metal, water, wood, and fire to balance your home. Each element brings a certain type of energy to the room and can be represented by different materials, colors and objects. For feng shui offices, Close recommends avoiding fire, as it “can burn up energy and create tension.” She says people should avoid lighting candles or decorating with red colors in their workspaces, which can create “chaos and chaos” in the workplace. your work life.
5. Bring in water and metal elements.
Water and metal, on the other hand, are very suitable for the Feng Shui office. Often seen as a symbol of abundance, water brings calm and flow to the workspace, while metal promotes sharpness and precision. Close recommends placing miniature fountains, small metal sculptures, and other decorative objects on your desktop to symbolize these elements. You can also evoke water and metal by decorating your office in shades of blue, gray, and white.