Want to create a peaceful, harmonious space? Feng shui experts reveal the items that can bring negative energy into your home and offer tips for clearing them out effectively.
The ancient art of feng shui emphasizes creating positive energy flow within a space, balancing decor, furniture, and layout to foster harmony. While clutter is a well-known disruptor of this balance, other items can also block energy flow and disturb the tranquility of your home. Here are six things to avoid keeping in your space to promote positive energy and harmony.
1. Clutter: The Ultimate Energy Blocker
“Feng shui is centered around creating balance, harmony, and new opportunities,” explains Kristina Hollinger, a feng shui expert. Clutter, especially in key areas like the entryway, blocks energy flow and adds stress. According to feng shui expert Alejandra Brady, “Clutter at eye level—like piles of shoes near the front door—can create a sense of overwhelm.” Tackle clutter by organizing your entryway with functional storage and streamlining belongings in closets and common areas.
2. Oversized Furniture: Too Big for Balance
Furniture that’s too large for a room disrupts harmony, leaving the space feeling cramped and off-balance. Hollinger advises that “feng shui is about finding harmony, not overcrowding a room.” Instead of holding onto oversized hand-me-downs, consider choosing furniture that aligns with the room’s size and layout to maintain an open, balanced atmosphere. Opt for pieces that fit both in style and scale, allowing energy to circulate freely.
3. Sharp Edges: Softness over Severity
Sharp or pointed edges on furniture and decor can disrupt a room’s tranquility. These harsh shapes subconsciously signal danger, creating tension rather than peace. Rounded, softer edges help energy flow smoothly and foster a feeling of calm. Embrace furniture with curved designs or organic shapes to soften the look and feel of your home, bringing a natural, inviting energy into your space.
4. Broken Items: Fix or Discard for Better Chi
Holding onto broken items, from burnt-out bulbs to damaged furniture, can dampen your home’s energy. Brady highlights that even a minor issue like a broken light can symbolize neglect and attract negative energy. A broken clock, in particular, represents stagnation in life’s progress. Fix these items promptly, or if they’re beyond repair, let them go. Maintaining functional items fosters a sense of renewal and flow, vital for positive feng shui.
5. Dying or Dead Plants: Vitality Over Decay
Plants in poor health, or those that have already passed their prime, can symbolize neglect and abandonment, blocking positive energy. “Replacing struggling plants with fresh flowers or healthy greens boosts a room’s energy,” suggests Brady. Fresh plants or flowers radiate vitality and can improve the feng shui of your home, while certain plants, like lucky bamboo, are especially known to bring fortune and positive vibes.
6. Objects with Negative Energy: Letting Go of the Past
Sometimes, items connected to challenging memories or past events can carry negative energy into your space. Holding onto memorabilia from stressful or unhappy times keeps those negative associations alive, creating bad chi. Photos, cards, or art that convey sadness or anger can weigh down your environment. Instead, display uplifting images or artwork that reflects joy and tranquility. Hollinger points out that “your home mirrors your inner world, so cultivating a space filled with joy and peace can attract prosperity and well-being.” By making these thoughtful adjustments, you can clear negative energy and invite peace, harmony, and positive chi into your home for a balanced, feng shui-inspired living space.
