Feng Shui in Office Settings

Offices can often be confusing, loud, anxiety-ridden places. There are telephones ringing, printers and fax machines humming, a myriad of voices, and many other distracting noises and activity that can create an atmosphere of stress. Employees who work in this kind of environment may have difficulty concentrating, feelings of being overwhelmed, and experience tension headaches. But even very busy offices can have a sense of calmness and relaxation with some changes in decor, particularly when using the principles of Feng Shui.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space to achieve a harmonious feel, and promote the flow of positive energy, or chi ('chee'). Feng Shui is rapidly gaining attention as a decorative scheme that is not only beautiful, but very beneficial to those who use it. The most common way to implement Feng Shui uses the relationship of the five elements - earth, wind, fire, wood, and metal. The basic principles of Feng Shui instruct that in their balanced state, the five elements represent harmony, yet each element can weaken or strengthen the other elements in a variety of beneficial and detrimental ways. If you have too much or not enough of one element, this can lead to negative chi.

One idea for giving your office a peaceful feel is to hire a Feng Shui expert, who can personalize it to the space. Feng Shui experts will often give ideas for re-arranging furniture, changing wall colors, and moving different elements around to achieve a harmonious outcome. This option is very effective, but the expense can be daunting. Here are some tips for incorporating Feng Shui into your office yourself:

Reduce Clutter. This will immediately make the room feel more airy and welcoming. Hide small items on desks in drawers or cabinets, and organize paperwork in filing cabinets. Keep desks free and clear by using folder systems and binders.

Use Live Plants. Living plant life increases the flow of positive chi. Place small houseplants on desks, on top of bookcases and filing cabinets, and in the windows.

Add Fountains or Aquariums. The element of water will bring success and prosperity to the office, and the sound and movement of the water will help everyone who hears it relax and breathe a little deeper. Water fountains are the ideal way to bring the element of water into your office.

Arrange Desks so that they are far from the entrance of the room, and are not backed up against windows. This keeps you out of the path of 'negative' energy, and will give a feeling of command and presence.

The Luna Tabletop Fountain, pictured, is a wonderful choice for Feng Shui purposes. To browse a selection of wonderful water fountains that can be used for Feng Shui purposes in office settings, visit KineticFountains.com. If you''d like more information about Feng Shui, you may read our previous article, 'Fountains and Feng Shui'.