5 Feng Shui Office Design Tips
Stay Motivated at Home or in the Office
By Lia Menna Gross
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How many of you have gotten to that point in your day?
You know what I’m talkin’ about…the 3pm slump.
Eyelids are half open over your red streaked eyeballs. Fingers are starting to cramp (maybe even a leg or two). Feeling like somebody pulled the plug on your battery pack. On edge or completely bored outta your mind (depending on the kinda day it’s been!).
The uzhe?
Stumbling over to the kitchen or your local coffee shop (aka “the breakroom”) for seconds on that stale coffee.
There’s a better way to spend your workday…with a little help from your Feng Shui Fairy Godmother.
Staying motivated at work, whether working remotely or in an office, involves creating a harmonious and balanced workspace that promotes the positive flow of ch’i (that’s energy).
Intentional office design is a surefire way to nip that 3pm afternoon slump in the bud. And give you the space necessary to work from a state of inner bliss.
The Career Gua - “Go with the Flow”
In Feng Shui tradition, your career is linked to your life path. The energy of this space is represented by water. Think meandering stream that whispers, “go with the flow”.
“Going with the flow” doesn’t mean everything’s comfy, cozy and stress-free 24/7. But rather, you’ve got a built-in resiliency system - tools to help you navigate the twists and turns along your life path.
The tortoise is the symbolic creature associated with the Career gua, or area, of your home and life. The moral of her story? No matter the winding path you take, you’ll eventually arrive at your intended destination.
This is the kind of blissed out headspace Feng Shui aims to put you in whether working in the office or at home. To do so, let’s start off with your statement office piece - the desk.
Tip #1 - Be in Command
In order to fully embrace your inner boss babe, you’ve got to put yourself in what’s known as the “command position”.
From a Feng Shui perspective, if you’re not seated in the right spot, you don’t have a seat at the table. Period.
Feng Shui Rx: Position your desk so that you’re seated with your back towards a solid wall and the door within sight.
Having your back to the door can create a sense of anxiety and vulnerability (the lion’s gonna getcha if you don’t see him coming!). You’re more apt to feeling secure and in charge with the entry point within view.
Tip #2 - Declutter, Declutter, Declutter (& Get Organized!)
Clutter disrupts the flow of ch’i (aka energy). This can lead to stress and decreased productivity.
Think about it. How do you feel when you’ve stumbled into a room full of unorganized piles of paper and a half-eaten box of yesterday’s takeout as your sidekick.
Feng Shui Rx: Declutter your workspace, the Feng Shui way.
Keep the essentials, throw out the rest. That’s what you need, love and actually use on the reg. That stack of magazines that you’re planning on going through someday are not necessaries.
Some decluttering practices will create more clutter by telling you to use bins, trays and other means for organizing your things. If you find yourself throwing unnecessaries in here (“outta sight, outta mind” kinda deal), then this is not for you. You don’t want to perpetuate the cycle of clutter - you wanna nip it in the bud. The key to decluttering, the Feng Shui way, is to eliminate the clutter first. You’ll find that once you do, the need for additional organizing frills may be eliminated (keep in mind, you’re going to need some. The thing to remember is balance!).
A clean space promotes clear thinking, efficiency and overall health. Start parting with your dust bunnies one-by-one. That means vacuuming floors and wiping down surfaces after decluttering.
Want to get a jumpstart on decluttering your workspace? Join my free One Week Decluttering Challenge!
Go from cluttered to clutt-ahh-free living.
Tip #3 - Setup your Workspace with the Five Elements
While they may be reminiscent of the Captain Planet intro, the five elements are a bit more complicated than that. However, your Feng Shui Fairy Godmother is here to get you moving in the best direction.
Each of the five elements pertains to a gua (or area) of your home. From a Feng Shui perspective, each gua within your home is connected to an area of your life. To learn more about these areas, check out this blog post.
Feng Shui Rx: Reflect on what it is you wish to enhance. Add a physical reminder using one of the five elements below (as much as you’ll want to add them all, resist the temptation and remember Tip #2!).
Water: Promotes calmness and stills the mind. This element is linked to your career and life path. Add a small, desktop water fountain, wall mirror or glass objects. Or, if you connect with the symbolism of the tortoise, place a tortoise statue in your office.
Wood: Represents growth and vitality. This element is connected to family, wealth and abundance. Add indoor plants or wooden furniture. Place this one in your office or cubicle’s Wealth gua. Stand in the entryway of your workspace. The far left corner of your office - that’s the Wealth gua. Set your plant here with the intention of “growing your wealth”.
Fire: Symbolizes energy and passion. This correlates to your Fame & Reputation gua. That’s the far center corner of your space. Use candles, lights or red accessories.
Earth: Brings stability and grounding. Incorporate earthy tones, crystals, or ceramics. My favorite Feng Shui office decor piece? This amethyst geode - allow its healing ch’i to permeate your space (and add that lil’ bit of sparkle!).
Metal: Encourages clarity and precision. Children and creativity and supported by the metal element. If you’re having trouble communicating clearly, this element is your go-to. Add simple metal objects, such as a lamp or pen holder. If you have a tendency to collect clutter (‘cuz we don’t want that!), opt for a metal furniture piece instead like this modern yet feminine desk chair.
Tip #4 - Cater to Your Senses
Catering to your senses gives ample opportunity for balancing out the alertness needed to complete a given task while doing so from a space of inner zen.
The benefits of integrating aromatherapy into your office design go far beyond mere scent. According to this article from the National Library of Medicine, aromatherapy “acts on the central nervous system, relieving depression and anxiety, reducing stress, relaxing, sedating or stimulating, and restoring both physical and emotional well-being”.
Yes, please!
Sound is another wonderful area of opportunity to enhance your focus in the workplace. Play music that you enjoy - let’s inspire happiness! Or tune in to relaxing binaural beats to create a sense of calm.
Natural lighting streaming in from a window (let go of the fluorescents…) and soothing imagery adorning your walls are a win-win! Find what eases your eyes. Use these bliss-inducing pictures as a reset when your eyes grow weary from screen time.
Tip #5 - Wide Open Spaces
The number of furniture pieces within your office may be the culprit of stuck ch’i within your workspace.
Yes, honey - that furniture may be the cluttermonger keeping your productivity level in the red after all!
If you have a large armoire filled with old files, consider selling or donating it once the clutter has been cleared.
What about seating? Is there ample room for seating in your office space? Is it even used?
Consider cutting ties with guest seating as well. This will leave open space for ch’i to slowly meander through your office, cube or workspace. And give you that clear pathway to your desk (as opposed to dodging paper landmines and shimmying through furniture blockades!).
Start Small
Whatever you decide to tackle first, remember to start small!
Build up the habit of decluttering your office and the rest will follow suit. You’ll have created a balanced environment that supports your professional goals, personal growth and keeps you in that space of bliss.
Let’s work together! And experience the positive changes in your life.