Do you sometimes just feel like a space's vibe does not click with you? Sometimes, we can't seem to point out what's wrong, but our heart knows it too well, right? Living in a house that does not instinctively feel comfortable can be a weird, uncanny experience like there is something that is out of place that is making you anxious.
All of us have had to spend a night in a place like this. And in fact, many people's homes make them feel like a stranger. A house is supposed to be its inhabitants' ultimate safe space. You should feel comfortable and cozy in it at all times.
There could be many explanations for why space alienates you. But one possibility is that its Feng Shui is out of alignment. Fortunately, with just a few adjustments, like adding curtains to bring everything together or creating peaceful surroundings. You can undoubtedly better the Feng Shui of your space through curtains and make your home a comfortable and inviting place-as it should be.
But what is Feng Shui and its connection with curtains? Want to know how it can improve your house's interior design while imbuing it with positive energy? Read on to learn more.
Feng Shui Explained
So what is this intangible "vibe" that makes you uncomfortable in your own house? While many modern researchers and designers tried addressing this issue, ancient Chinese scientists figured out what it was.
They discovered a universal energy flowing in the world, Qi. This force has the power to impact our lives in tangible ways. If the energy flow is negative, then it would harm people. Conversely, positive Qi flow can significantly benefit people.
Ancient Chinese scientists also discovered that spaces are also brimming with Qi. Unless that Qi is channeled positively, those spaces can become inhospitable and even hostile to their inhabitants.
Feng Shui was developed to address this issue. It seeks to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment by redirecting Qi in beneficial and positive ways. With the correct application of Feng Shui, you can make any space more welcoming, home healthier, safer, and more auspicious.
Indeed, there are various ways negative Qi can make a space unhealthy for a person, such as incorrect color choice and poor furniture placement. These errors occur when you do not consider a space's North-South orientation, layout, and location.
To rectify negative Qi, you must incorporate Feng Shui principles into your interior design. This science has been a guiding principle for making livable spaces for centuries. Even today, much of Hong Kong's distinctive skyline can be attributed to local architects incorporating Feng Shui into building design.
But before we get into that, it is crucial for you to understand just why this 3000-year-old practice is so vital for your well-being.
Why Feng Shui Matters
Many people might not understand why Feng Shui is relevant to them. You might be tempted to think of it as some distant "foreign" pseudoscience that is not scientifically grounded. But nothing could be further from the truth.
The fact is many people around the world continue to practice it - for good reason. Feng Shui has been inadvertently endorsed by science. Indeed, many of its guiding principles to make an interior more livable are now core tenets of modern architecture-such as the significance of a building's North-South orientation.
Similarly, Feng Shui has received the approval of color psychologists. It strongly emphasises color choice, and its principles are remarkably similar to the findings of color psychologists. Color psychology was pioneered by the respected 20th Century psychologist Carl Jung. He discovered that different colors imbue different emotions and feelings inside of us. Red can capture people's attention and increase our lust and hunger. Yellow can make us feel cheerful, whereas white indicates innocence and purity.
In fact, color psychology can have tangible impacts on our mental health.
Red stimulates our bodies and mind, improving blood circulation and making us active.
Blue has a calming effect on our nerves and even soothes pain.
Yellow makes us sociable and refreshed.
Orange is used by color psychologists to heal lungs and make us feel active.
Today, you will see color psychology incorporated into various aspects of our everyday lives. It is why so many hospitals incorporate blue hues in their interiors and why McDonald's color scheme is red and yellow. Moreover, there are clear health benefits to being selective with our interior colors. Consequently, choosing the color palette of space is a crucial decision.
Feng Shui encourages people to arrange furniture by suggesting certain positions and layouts must be avoided - selective ways maximize the ebb and flow of Qi. The significance of headboard and bed layout in Feng Shui is vital as it should adhere to principles. The bed is the largest piece of furniture, so it must be in a commanding position when facing the door. In case you have an awkwardly-shaped bedroom, adding a mirror can visually reposition it. In the same way, curtains - their fabric, texture, color, and lighting- influence the ambiance.
Incorporating said guide into your interior design can have measurable positive impacts on your mental and physical health.
Here is how you can go about it.
How Good Curtains Can Boost Your Space's Feng Shui
In a perfect world, every aspect of your house will be custom-built to maximize positive Qi and achieve excellent Feng Shui. Indeed, many of those aforementioned Hong Kong skyscrapers have massive holes in their structures to allow energy to pass through.
Naturally, not everyone can manage that. But that does not mean Feng Shui cannot be incorporated into your interior design. Targeted adjustments around your house can go a long way in improving Qi flow.
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to achieve this goal is to get custom curtains that complement your house's Feng Shui needs. They are relatively inexpensive as well since you will not have to make substantial renovations around your house. You will be able to benefit from Feng Shui at your present residence without either moving places or completely disrupting your life to re-do it. Just put them up, and you will eventually notice your space's "vibe" improve exponentially.
Moreover, according to Feng Shui, custom curtains give the most importance to light, so curtains must not cover much of the view. One can also hang valances and swags higher up to frame the window.
So with that said, there are five Feng Shui principles to keep in mind when selecting curtains for your house:
Color and Pattern
Each of these two factors is critical to channeling positive Qi on its own. First of all, as we have already established, color choice is vital for positive Qi flow. For a start, you have to strategically utilize certain colors in certain parts of your house - otherwise known as Feng Shui Bagua. Every color has the ability to attract certain attributes into space and, therefore, your life.
Here is a simple guide for them:
Of course, these are brilliant attributes to attract into one's life. Normally, the idea is that you have to incorporate colors into your house's interior design based on this Bagua. But when it comes to curtains, your options are limited by what direction your windows and doors are placed.
So just follow this chart, and you will know that if you have a window opening North, you have to get red curtains to attract positive Qi that will improve your reputation and public standing.
On top of this, you should also consider what hue and pattern these curtains would have. If you are putting up a curtain in a bedroom, try getting a lighter shade since dark tones attract energy intensely, disrupting your sleep. Similarly, if you have a home office, then dark tones might be a good idea since they would keep you alert and active.
Similarly, you also have to consider their pattern - unless you are getting solid curtains. Obviously, it is important to avoid negative patterns - anything that includes skulls or beasts. This would attract negative Qi, make you and guests uncomfortable, and even affect your health.
The best patterns are simple, artistic designs that are able to integrate with the curtain's color - such as florals and geometric shapes. Stripes work, too, but keep in mind that horizontal and diagonal stripes will impact your mood and health, respectively. Whereas vertical stripes can make you feel relaxed and lazy. So consider vertical stripes for your bedroom and bathroom and horizontal ones for your living room since they make people more active.
Maintain Balance
Feng Shui insists that you strive to achieve a healthy balance in the different elements of your interior space. While it is important to have the right curtains for certain windows in your house, it is also important that they do not stick out. Suppose your curtains are incompatible with the rest of the room's interior design. In that case, the lack of harmony will end up disrupting energy flows - even if those curtains are best for that location. In other words, when we are dedicated to implementing Feng Shui rules to discover the best curtains for your living spaces, it's by creating a balance between room requirements and aesthetics. According to Feng Shui, specific colors, fabrics, and patterns are indeed favorable, but that doesn't mean they will complement the space or décor.
For instance, if you get solid black curtains or a room facing South, but the room itself has a regal, classic interior design, then the sharp dissonance will only attract negative Qi. A good way to maintain balance in this situation while still integrating black would be to get curtains with a soft hue and gentle, classical patterns in black color.
Allow Natural Light In
According to Feng Shui principles, natural is the bedrock of positive Qi. Therefore, the more you let in, the better. So make sure you get curtain rods that extend significantly beyond the window frame so that when you open your drapes, they do not obstruct any light from entering the room.
Sheer curtains can be particularly helpful in this regard. They will allow natural light to enter the room, even when closed, while enabling you to benefit from the curtains' privacy. You could even get a double-layered treatment so that when you open the outer layer, the sheer inner curtains can stay closed and still allow sunlight in.
Alas, sheer curtains are not a good idea in every instance. It is better to keep your drapes open as often as possible if you have a window that overlooks greenery, like trees or a park. Feng Shui principles dictate that greenery accelerates positive Qi flow, giving residents numerous health benefits. So maximize your green views by getting the right set of curtains for them - ideally solid curtains since patterns might become an interference.
Cleanliness Is Critical
Curtains come in contact directly with dirt, contaminants and other allergens, hence, become quite filthy over time. Often, we aren't aware of the allergens and other particles present on the curtains as they aren't visible through our naked eyes. Curtains are designed to hang over windows or even doors, so the fabric comes in contact with moisture, insects, and mud, leading to a higher risk of molds or mildew growth.
Indeed, cleanliness is at the heart of Feng Shui. So, you must regularly clean your curtains. Dust not only disrupts the smooth flow of natural light but also Qi. If you want to ensure smooth and positive energy flows in your space, then you must make sure your drapes and spotless. Plus, your curtains once again get a new look.
The Right Way To Hang Curtains
Curtains have the power to block negative energy from entering the room when hung according to Feng Shui principles. Simple tricks like hanging the valances and swag higher up the wall allowing only their hem to be visible, can create an illusion of a frame for the window or even door.
Another great trick is to mount curtain rods closer to the ceiling. In such case, your room will look spacious and bigger. Simultaneously, it allows more natural light to flow and create positive energy. Longer rods and opened curtains tied at the back of the window edges are in harmony with Feng Shui approaches.
Get Custom Curtains That Are Feng Sui Compliant
Evidently, Feng Shui has the power to drastically improve your lifestyle and make your home inviting and comfortable. Curtains are an easy and affordable way to improve Qi flow in your house. But because of how specific you have to be to make sure you get the right set of drapes to encourage positive energy flow, off-the-rack curtains simply will not do.
With us, you can ensure your house is imbued with the values and wisdom of Feng Shui, ensuring the well-being and prosperity of you and your family. We offer custom curtains at affordable prices. You can order online and get your drapes in a matter of days. And to help you make sure you are getting the perfect Feng Shui-compliant curtains for the right window, we even offer free swatches to consumers. This way, you can know for sure you are getting the best drapes to boost your space's energy and vibe.
Start a live chat at Curtarra to get yourself a set of custom curtains that will imbue your house with the power of Feng Shui.