You’ve probably heard of Feng Shui, but might not actually understand what it’s all about. Pronounced “feng shway,” it is the ancient Chinese art of creating balance and harmony by regulating the flow of energy, or chi, within a given space. When it comes to interior design and architecture, the basic principles of feng shui can work to create harmonious flow and help you make the best use of space.
Bathrooms, however, have traditionally presented Feng Shui practitioners with a bit of a headache. The problem is, when Feng Shui originally started in ancient China, bathrooms, as we know them, didn’t exist. People washed themselves in public spaces, and had outhouses in their back gardens. No one kept themselves clean inside their own home. This is no doubt why traditional Feng Shui practitioners see bathrooms as vast, unclean energy drains. That said however, it is still very possible to have Feng Shui bathrooms in your home.
The secret to good bathroom Feng Shui is balance. Bathrooms are, for example, very connected to water, and the drainage of water. Balance this draining by having wood elements – such as cabinets or vanities, or towel rails. Water also has somewhat mysterious, dark and cold connotations, which can make a bathroom feel overly “yin.” Bring back the balance by upping the levels of Yen with plants, warm colours and luxurious towels.
Important Feng Shui Elements For Your Bathroom
Generally speaking, Feng Shui bathrooms should be relaxing, comfortable and clean, with a functional layout and a pleasant atmosphere. The most important object in any Feng Shui bathroom is the bath itself. While most traditional baths are rectangular in shape, Feng Shui teachings favour an oval, semi-circular or even round bath. It’s important to ensure that your bathroom fittings – bath, toilet and basins – match. This creates smooth, clean lines, and helps create a harmonious atmosphere.
Depending on how deeply you want to embrace the principles, the actual location of the toilet is very important in all Feng Shui bathrooms. It may not always be possible to change the position of the toilet, but if you can, don’t have it in the south east part of your bathroom, as practitioners believe it will wash out your wealth, while a toilet in the north of the bathroom slows down promotions. Unless unavoidable, the toilet should never be the first thing you see when you walk into your bathroom. The door should open in such a way that it hides the toilet if left ajar. If this isn’t the case, try rehanging the door with the hinges on the other side.
Feng Shui Bathroom Tips
At the end of the day, no matter how your bathroom is laid out, or where it’s located in your home, there are little things you can do to increase its Feng Shui aura. Even if you have a small, odd-shaped or quirky bathroom, Feng Shui can improve the feel of the space. This makes it hugely valuable for decorators and designers.
Try these practical tips to incorporate a little Feng Shui into your bathroom:
Keep It Clean
This is definitely not just a Feng Shui thing, but it is very important nevertheless, as Feng Shui thrives on purification and renewal. Even the tiniest bathrooms can attract positive energy if they are kept really clean. Why not take a look at Kohler’s new rimless toilets, which are not only visually appealing, but also easy to clean and ultra hygienic.
Keep It Ventilated
Again, this isn’t just a Feng Shui principle, as a bathroom with good air movement always feels fresher and more pleasant that one with stagnant, stale air. If your bathroom has a window, try to keep it open as much as possible for as long as possible. If it doesn’t, keep the extractor fan on even after you leave the room.
Can The Clutter
Shelves, cabinets and vanities are important in any bathroom, but a shelf that is crammed full of shampoos and lotions is bad for Feng Shui. Try to keep toiletries out of sight inside cabinets, and make sure any storage units match the rest of your bathroom design.
Time For Reflection
Bathroom mirrors are not only useful, but great for Feng Shui as well. Avoid using mirrored tiles, or mirrored mosaic pieces though, as these visually dissect the body into parts, and this is not a healthy Feng Shui principle.
Other things you can do to enhance the Feng Shui of your bathroom include:
- Display flowers, candles or artwork
- Have at least one green plant to help purify the air
- Install a dimmer switch to keep the light in the room comfortable.
If you’re looking at remodeling or building a bathroom following Feng Shui principles, take a look at the wonderful range of bathroom fittings, fixtures and accessories available from Richmond Plumbing. We have a huge selection of beautiful and elegant bathroom fittings to enhance any Feng Shui bathroom.
