Feng Shui Bathroom Decorating Tips

Feng shui, which is translated as "wind and water," is the ancient Chinese art of changing the flow of chi or energy within a house. Although the bathroom is specifically associated with health in feng shui, using this system in your bathroom can help to enhance the wealth, health and happiness in your entire home.

The Five Elements of Feng Shui

In feng shui, you must use the five elements of wood, water, fire, earth and metal in proper balance. The bathroom naturally represents the water element. However, you can still use the water element in the form of an aquarium, sea shells or a fountain when decorating your bathroom. Bring in some natural potted plants such as ornamental bamboo to enhance the wood element. Add an extra mirror or two to increase the metal element. Add some candles and lights to enhance the fire element. Install tile or add pottery to bring in more of the earth element. Keep in mind that the color scheme you select will also increase one of the feng shui elements in your bathroom. Red and orange are fire, black and navy blue are water, brown and yellow are earth, blue and green are wood and white and gray are metal.

Using a Bagua

A bagua is a type of map that you can use to figure out how to use feng shui in your home. A bagua is octagonal in shape. It also has nine areas or guas, each of which corresponds to a different aspect of home life. There are several places online where you can download a bagua to print. Hold the bagua so that the sections representing "Knowledge," "Career" and "Helpful People" are facing you. Divide the space into nine sections using the bagua as a guide. If your bathroom is very small, stand at the threshold of the front door of your home and use the bagua to determine what role the bathroom plays. If your bathroom is large, use the bagua at its door to divide the bathroom into nine sections.

Changing the Energy Flow in the Bathroom

There are many places within the bathroom that can allow chi or energy to escape. If you have adequate ventilation, keep the door closed when the bathroom is not being used. Also close the lid to the toilet when it's not in use. Make sure that the plumbing is in good repair and there are no leaks. Also, turn off the lights when you leave the bathroom. You can also use one element to help balance another. For example, place a potted plant or a ceramic bowl full of pebbles on the toilet tank to increase the earth element and balance the water element.

References

• 10 Minute Feng Shui Room by Room By Skye Alexander
• What Is a Bagua?

Resources

• Color-coded bagua to download and print

[Dawnella66]

on 8/10/2009 This was an informative and well written article, I enjoyed it very much!*5