Article originally posted by Architectural Digest
What is feng shui? It’s a question anyone interested in interior design has likely asked at one point. But if you’ve ever walked into a room and felt instantly calm—or, alternatively, uneasy—you’ve already experienced it, in its essence. An ancient Chinese practice, feng shui offers principles for design based on the flow of life energy (or qi). Pared-down to its most basic explanation, qi flows easily through a space with good feng shui, and the inhabitants feel better in it.
“When a person has a balanced and supportive home and feels secure, they are relaxed and grounded,” says Susan Chan, certified feng shui consultant. “A feng shui adjustment can be as simple as making sure your artwork is at the right height. Hang it too high and your attention, and therefore your energy, goes upward, which can leave you feeling ungrounded.” Feng shui can be applied in anything from the smallest of interior details to the grandest architectural plans, and even to real estate decisions. Below, AD consults designers and feng shui experts to unpack what exactly feng shui is—and how you can use it in your own living space.
What is feng shui?
Practiced for thousands of years, feng shui views the built environment, driven by qi, as a living system—one that can either support or hinder our well-being, depending how it’s arranged. Designers and architects who draw upon its principles consider factors such as spatial flow, natural light, and the relation between interior elements and surrounding landscape as primary facets of a space’s design and purpose. Though interpretations vary, the goal is consistent: to create spaces that feel both aesthetically pleasing and energetically balanced.
“Feng shui isn’t just about moving your sofa or adding a lucky bamboo plant in the corner,” says Phyllis Harbinger, principal at DCI Studio. “It’s an ancient Chinese philosophy centered around creating balance and harmony between people and the spaces they inhabit.”
What are the origins and history of feng shui?
Feng shui, meaning “wind” and “water,” has roots dating back more than 3,000 years, to neolithic China. Ancient builders aligned structures with celestial patterns and land features to align with the natural flow of qi. “In ancient China, you wouldn’t do anything without feng shui if you knew what was good for you,” says Chan. “The emperor would use feng shui to choose who he would marry, where he would live…. Feng shui was also used to choose the plots of land where empires or family homes were built, and even where loved ones would be buried.”
Over time, feng shui evolved into a refined system. During the Eastern Jin period (third and fourth century CE), historian, poet, and geomancer Guo Pu authored the Book of Burial, marking the first formal mention of feng shui. By the later Tang and Song dynasties, two major schools emerged: the Form School, focused on natural landforms, and the Compass School, which utilized the luopan, a specialized feng shui compass, for precise directional assessment. Principles from both schools are still practiced today. “The forms around us still influence us,” notes Chan. “In ancient times, it was mountains and rivers; today, it might be highways, electromagnetic fields from technology, telephone lines, or the proximity of neighboring buildings.”
What are the main principles of feng shui?
At its core, feng shui is guided by several principles that shape how a space feels and functions. One of the most fundamental is the flow of qi, the life energy believed to move through all things. Good feng shui encourages qi to circulate smoothly, avoiding both stagnation and rushing.
The five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—form another essential framework. Balancing them through color, texture, and material creates harmony and supports specific intentions. “In feng shui, it’s ideal to have a balance of the five elements, adapted to the individual and their goals,” says Chan. “For example, I had a client whose home was dominated by white walls and metallic decor, which felt too cold and unwelcoming for her needs. By adding warmer lighting, textured fabrics, fire elements like candles, and grounding scents, the space began to feel softer and more nurturing—and her perspective on her goals shifted as well.”
The command position is another key principle of feng shui: It encourages placing furniture, especially beds and primary seating, in clear view of the entrance, often against a wall or other grounding object. “If a wall is not available behind you, create a sense of support with tall furniture, plants, or another visually solid piece,” advises Chan.
Feng shui also considers yin and yang, the complementary forces of stillness and activity, softness and strength. A well-balanced space blends both: For example, pairing soft fabrics and warm lighting with bold accents. “Too much darkness can create stagnancy, while too much brightness can make occupants feel ungrounded,” says Chan.
Lastly, there is the bagua map, which divides a floor plan into an eight-section energy map, or grid, with each gridmark corresponding to an aspect of life, such as career, health, and relationships. It is often used to guide the placement of a piece of furniture, color choices, and focal points, but not all designers choose to follow it to a T. “While popular, I personally diverge from the standard application,” says Gala Magriña, designer and principal at Gala Magriñá Design. “Instead, I focus on the function of each room to make adjustments, like addressing a marriage issue in the bedroom or career challenges in a home office.”
How is feng shui used in interior design?
“In residential design, feng shui often mirrors what we already strive for as designers: clear circulation, balanced layouts, and spaces that feel intentional and calming,” says Harbinger. “But feng shui takes us deeper. It asks how the energy moves through the space: Is it getting stuck? Is it rushing too fast?”
This added layer of intentionality in interior design makes itself present in every step of the process: from the specific choice of finish on furnishings, to the particular orientation of a chair or table, to the use of a consistent palette when choosing accent colors in decor. And it certainly isn’t limited to interior design in residential spaces either. “Whether it be a hotel lobby that feels both grand and grounding or a restaurant layout that subtly encourages flow and connection, these spaces are often designed with principles that echo feng shui, even if not by name,” adds Harbinger. Regardless of the space, tapping into elements of feng shui can be key to creating an everyday experience that enhances and promotes one’s personal lifestyle goals.
How to feng shui your home
When it comes to feng shui tips for your own home, experts suggest you start with the basics. “A great place to start is decluttering. Clutter blocks the flow of energy and often represents emotional baggage,” says Magriña. “I once worked with a client who couldn’t figure out why she felt so stuck in life—until we cleared out years of paperwork, unused kitchen gadgets, and decor from a past relationship. As soon as we cleared that space, new opportunities started flowing in.”
In addition to decluttering, Harbinger suggests a few small additions to attract more positive energy into a space: “Bring in something alive, a leafy plant, a bowl of citrus, or a fresh arrangement of flowers. It’s also important that your bed and desk allow you to see the doorway, which creates a sense of security and control. Let natural light and fresh air in whenever possible.”
The placement of your bed’s headboard and desk can make a truly influential change in your space—following feng shui, placing your headboard or desk in the “command position,” with a solid wall behind and a clear view of the door, helps ground the space. And while smaller spaces or differing configurations might make that difficult, there are always other creative possibilities. “In one New York City apartment, we couldn’t fully reposition the bed,” recalls Magriña, “so we used a mirror to reflect the door instead, creating the same subconscious sense of control.”
Aside from the bedroom, another focal point of the home is the front door. “The entryway is everything in feng shui—it’s how opportunity comes to you,” says Chan. “If it’s bright, beautiful, and welcoming, people, as well as opportunities, are naturally attracted.” And there are simple ways to make that happen, adds Magriña: “A potted plant, fresh doormat, or even just clearing away packages can make a meaningful difference.”
For one more approach to incorporating feng shui into your home, consider turning to the five elements to balance your space. “If a client is seeking more grounding or stability, we might add [earth-inspired elements], low furniture, and ceramic decor,” says Magriña. “If they’re looking to boost energy or recognition, [fire additions through] touches of red, triangular shapes, or candles can activate those areas.” Tapping into the five elements and intentionally curating your spaces is a part of the feng shui practice that can truly be applied at any scale, and can bring that sought-after sense of balance, even with simple, small changes.
