Feng Shui 101 is a concept I have come up with to help you learn about the basic concepts of Feng Shui. Basically, this is the barebones and completely distilled version of everything and anything you need to know about Feng Shui without any of the filler. So here we go. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese interior design philosophy, based on the principles of the I Ching. It doesn’t actually have anything to do with what style of interior decorating you’re following. Throughout Asia, Feng Shui enthusiasts consider that your home and environment, affects how you feel, as well as the energy and luck you attract into your life. Basically put, this means that your interior design affects your life and determines if you have good luck, or bad luck. Feng Shui is a way to generate an effortless (key word: effortless) stream of positive energy into your home and life.

You’ve probably realized from personal experience that cleaning your home gives you a sense of inner peace and makes you generally feel better. And redecorating certainly does the same. What you’re missing though, are some guidelines so that when you are redecorating, your home will be better, more chi-friendly and flourishing. Feng Shui is a set of those guidelines. It is really an art and science that has evolved in the Far East over thousands of years. When you put the basic Feng Shui 101 principles to practice in your home, you’ll notice the difference. Feng Shui is based on the conviction that everything in the universe contains chi, and uses time-tested principles to balance that energy correctly.

The principles behind the philosophy of Feng Shui are actually quite intricate and complex. Most practitioners undergo numerous years of training and mentorship to learn everything. Regardless though, there are basic principles you can apply to your home. One such principle is the size of your front door. Is it congruent to the rest of the house? Is it in proportion? Your fortunes may not be so good if your front door is excessively large. Is the front door visible from the kitchen? Anyone preparing meals (which symbolize prosperity in Feng Shui) should be able to see the front door without craning their head more than 45 degrees.

The dining room is not supposed to be of a lower elevation than the living room, and the southern aspect of your home must contain the color red (symbolizes congratulations in China), which represents fame and reputation. You should avoid sharp lines in your home and furniture choices – gentle curves and lines are much better for generating a chi equilibrium. Any mirrors you have should be cleaned regularly to keep their chi-enhancing properties in effect. Any other reflective surfaces should also remain spotless. Your home should also be well ventilated, with fresh and clean air entering and circulating at all times. A pair of Fu dog statues can also bring fortune to your home, as they are symbolic guardians of the home.

Jackie Tan is a Feng Shui writer and enthusiast, and part of the team behind BeingBlissful.com