Feng Shui Your Desk

How To Feng Shui Your Desk

  • 01 of 10 Why You Should Feng Shui Your Desk Lumina Images / Getty Images The feng shui of your desk does matter! This becomes especially important if you have to spend many hours at your desk. It is always a good idea to be sure the places you have to spend a lot of time in—from your bedroom to your office—have good feng shui energy.The better the energy in your office and at your desk, the better the quality of your energy. Good feng shui is not just about things looking good. A room may be visually appealing and well-designed, but lack elements that are essential for good feng shui.
  • 02 of 10 Feng Shui Desk Characteristics westend61 / Getty Images The very first step to start in applying good feng shui to your desk is to choose the best desk according to feng shui principles.Feng Shui Criteria for a Good Desk
    1. Material
    2. Shape
    3. Color Feng Shui Desk Materials Out of all possible materials—wood, glass, laminate, and metal—a wood desk is the best feng shui choice. Not only does it bring natural energy into your space, but it also has both nourishing, as well as a vibrant quality of energy. If you want to understand the feng shui properties of wood, look into the Wood feng shui element it represents.A glass desk lacks solidity because it allows the energy to move very fast. If this is your choice, you can work with specific feng shui cures such as tall plants, for example, to create a more grounding, solid energy.A metal desk brings the sharpness, preciseness, and clarity of the feng shui element it represents (the Metal feng shui element). It can be a good choice if you are drawn to it, especially if your birth element is either Water or Metal.A laminate desk has mostly lifeless, passive energy which you can activate with vibrant feng shui cures appropriate for your office space.
  • 03 of 10 The Best Feng Shui Desk Shape Bloom image / Getty Images Most shapes are excellent feng shui, but it all depends on the goal you are trying to achieve with your work.The typical rectangular desk provides grounding energy with an element of growth and expansion. It is best to have a desk with an open front, as this encourages better energy flow.A flowing shape desk is also considered excellent feng shui as it promotes creativity and a constant, refreshing flow of energy. You will position it so you sit on the inside of the curve, not the outside. However, this might not be a good choice for a person who can easily get distracted.An L-shaped desk can be good feng shui when placed in the best feng shui position.The least preferable shape choices for a desk are round, oval or square ones. Square desks can create the energy of stagnation, and the round one is its opposite—it has constant movement. However, these desk shapes may be appropriate for different situations.A round desk or table is an excellent choice for a group meeting as it encourages a free flow of energy, as well as the equality of all people using the workspace. An oval desk is similar in function to the round one, but the distribution of energy is not equal. A square shape can be beneficial for a person who tends to get distracted easily and needs more focus and concentration.
  • 04 of 10 The Best Feng Shui Desk Color kyoshino / E+/ Getty Images Color is big in feng shui as it is the easiest, almost instant way to create a specific quality of energy. Here are the best colors for a good feng shui desk, but you should take care to choose what works for your energy and your line of work. (If you want to understand more about the color of power, dive into the world of the five feng shui elements as each color represents a specific feng shui element.)
    • Brown: It is a grounding color that creates a sense of comfort and nourishment for the body.
    • Black: It is an introspective color that promotes concentration and open-mindedness.
    • White: It facilitates clarity and discipline. It can be energy-draining for some people.
    • Gray: Similar to white, it has more power to aid focus (both white and gray colors represent the same feng shui element).
    • Green: It is revitalizing, creative, and nourishing.
    • Red: It is strongly activating and not a good choice for long-term use.Of course, each color comes in different intensity, so a deep brown desk, for example, will be different in its energy than a light brown one.Many desks also combine several materials, as well as several colors. For example, you can have a wood desk with metal legs, or a desk that has several colors. Always look at the overall feng shui guidelines and then make the decision based on your needs.
  • 05 of 10 The Feng Shui Placement of Your Desk Desk facing a wall People Images/Getty The placement of your desk is very important for good feng shui.The least beneficial desk placements for are:
    • Facing the wall.
    • Facing the window.
    • Directly in line with the door.
    • With your back to the door.The most beneficial desk placement is in the so-called feng shui commanding position. This is when you can see the door to your office, are not in line with the door and have a solid wall behind you.Another criteria for a good desk placement in feng shui is according to your lucky feng shui directions. This means having your desk face one of your lucky directions (there are four of them for each person). Of course, if this places your desk in the least feng shui beneficial position, such as facing a window or with your back to the door, then it is not worth it.
  • 06 of 10 Feng Shui Your Desk Surface Com stock Images / Stock byte / Getty Images A constantly cluttered desk is really bad feng shui. Of course, it all depends on your definition of clutter! If you are working intensely on a project that is due soon, then it is certainly okay to have your desk busy for a while.For a while does not mean forever though. Once the project is done, the desk has to be cleared. Having old, unnecessary items occupying your space is bad feng shui.Ideally, the desk is cleaned at the end of each workday. Not only is this good feng shui, but it is plain common sense, too.
  • 07 of 10 Add Your Own Source of Light NKS_Imagery / Getty Images No matter you work in a comfortable home office or a cubicle, for good desk feng shui—and for your well-being—it is important to have your source of light.For best feng shui, it is recommended to place your chosen light fixture to your upper left, which is the wealth feng shui bagua area of your desk.
  • 08 of 10 Define Your Needs: The Less, the Better! Utamaru Kido / Getty Images It is important to clearly define your needs and place only the very minimum on your desk surface. Do you need to place so many folders on your desk? Can they be placed somewhere else with easy access? Do you need to place on your desk all the pens and pencils you own?The list of questions can go on and on depending on your line of work. It is important to keep in mind that when it comes to a good feng shui desk, less is ideal.
  • 09 of 10 Feng Shui Bagua Magic for Your Desk lechatnoir / Getty Images If you are new to feng shui, it might be helpful to know about the powerful bagua, also called the feng shui energy map, that is applied to various spaces to create good feng shui.There are two ways to define the bagua and quite a bit of learning involved in using it for good feng shui in your home or office.Here are several areas of your desk that are good to strengthen and pay attention to.
    • Upper Left: Wealth and Money area
    • Upper Right: Love and Marriage area
    • Mid Left: Health and Family area
    • Mid Right: Creativity area You can use the typical feng shui cures for each specific area, or come up with your creative solutions. For example, the light source to your left—upper left—is an excellent feng shui cure for the wealth area. A vibrant plant to your left or a family photo is excellent feng shui for health. A photo of you and your beloved or a couple of crystals can be great feng shui for your love area.
  • 10 of 10 Sources of Good Energy Spaces Images / Getty Images When looking for specific items to bring the vital energy of creativity to your desk, look first into the typical feng shui good energy cures.Good air purifying plants are a must for any workspace. You can choose a beautiful vibrant plant with a stunning pot, for example, to maximize its effect on your desk. Crystals are also a very popular feng shui cure, and there are many crystals are suitable for your office. Various images can be targeted to specific goals, and so can specific items that you have a special connection with.Be creative and see what brings you good energy and elevates your spirit. Also be sure to rotate your items from time to time, as well as, of course, do not bring them all at once.

Feng Shui: The Ultimate Guide to Designing Your Desk for Success

Feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging physical objects to attract positive energy. It’s based on the idea that everything in a person’s surrounding environment affects his or her inner life. Feng shui practitioners believe that the placement of objects in a room, building, or other space will affect the flow of chi (life force or essential energy) within the space. If there’s good chi flowing, whoever in the space will get a boost of positive energy. Pretty sweet, right?

According to feng shui expert RD Chin, people often turn to the practice if “they don’t feel right or comfortable in their space.” Perhaps nowhere is this more relevant than in the workspace—painful chairs, bad lighting, and a boss breathing down our necks hardly promote feelings of comfort. That’s where feng shui comes in. If you’re looking to feel a little more “at home” even while at work, or just want to send some good vibes your way on the job (promotion, anyone?), read on to find out how to use feng shui on your desk!

Is Chi for Me?

While there are few to no scientific findings that look at the effectiveness of feng shui directly (just, you know, thousands of years of Chinese tradition), some research backs up the practice’s basic principles. One study suggests that getting more organized can improve time management, which helps boost productivity at work Trusted Source. And psychology research found that adding natural elements—such as sunlight, green plants, and physical movement—to the workplace can boost employee health, happiness, and productivity Trusted Source. How’s that for some positive energy?

So how is feng shui different from just getting organized or decorating better? “It goes beyond just decorating because feng shui has a psychological component to the principles, says Laura Cerrano of Feng Shui Manhattan. “Your surroundings have a deep and profound impact on your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.” Since the daily nine-to-five makes up a big part of the day, improving the chi in the workspace will help you out at work and in the rest of your life.

Getting Started: How to Feng Shui Your Desk

One of the basic tools for a feng shui practitioner is the bagua map. It’s a nine-part grid depicting the different areas of a space (home, desk, office, what have you) and how they correspond to different areas of life. Think of it as a general blueprint for any feng shui endeavor. To let the positive energy flow, follow the basic guidelines below.

Orient Your Desk

If possible, place your desk directly opposite the front door of your office. If you don’t have a private office, try to orient your desk to face the main door. Cerrano calls this a “commanding position.” If your boss isn’t willing to accept furniture rearrangement in the name of chi, Cerrano says that arranging a small mirror on your desk to reflect the office’s entrance is the next best thing. “According to the principles of feng shui, this arrangement offers protection and symbolizes you seeing opportunities as they come to you during your career,” Cerrano says. In other words, you have to be able to see opportunities in order to seize them.

Make Room for Creativity

Once you have a full view of any incoming opportunities, it’s time to tackle the desk’s surface. Chances are there’s a bit of clutter, which Cerrano defines as “anything unfinished, unresolved, tolerated, or disorganized.” Clear the clutter and organize things in a way that suits your work style and personal preferences. Cerrano suggests organizing by date or category, using colored binders if that appeals to you. Getting organized can boost productivity, while clearing clutter can provide a space that allows creativity to flow Trusted Source.

Desk for Success

Now comes the fun part: arranging your desk to promote the flow of positive energy.

Imagine the desktop divided into a nine-part grid, as in the bagua map shown above. Choose several areas of your life that could use a little boost, and use the following tips to attract good energy to those areas. Each section is associated with a color, and you can use objects of that color if you have them. Just don’t go overboard—remember, clutter blocks creativity, so at least 50 percent of the desktop should be clear at all times. Don’t focus on all nine sections; instead, select two to three priorities.

  1. Wealth and Prosperity The back left corner of the desk represents prosperity. Target this space to attract money and abundance. It’s a great place for a plant, but if your green thumb is more on the brown side, consider placing a valuable item (such as a crystal vase or jar of change) in this corner. This could also be a good spot for a (well-functioning) computer.
  2. Fame and Reputation Want more than 15 minutes in the spotlight? In the center back of the bagua map, you’ll find the space for fame. Place business cards or a nameplate here. Cerrano also recommends “motivational images that highlight who you are and your accomplishments” (think: a photo of your first marathon finish or your hard-earned diploma).
  3. Love and Relationships To find a little love today (or in the future), focus on the back right corner. Single? A fresh flower, which can bring luck and maybe even spark romance, goes here. Already have a special someone? Place a photo of the two of you here.
  4. Family Although it’s a cliché desktop feature, a family photo, according to feng shui principles, fits well on the left center of the desk. A wood frame enhances the energy of this particular space.
  5. Health Although sitting at a desk doesn’t do much for your health, there are a few ways to promote health even while working. Keep the center area of the desktop free of clutter to attract good energy to the area. In addition, Cerrano recommends taking short breaks throughout the day to reduce stress and maintain focus.
  6. Creativity Boost creativity by adding inspiration to the right center of the grid. Aspiring writers, place a journal or book here. A blank sketchbook would be ideal for artists, while a metal object may work well for others. But really, anything goes—just get creative!
  7. Knowledge and Wisdom Struggling to learn new material, or just want to be wise beyond your years? Focus on the front left corner of the desk. Place a reference book (or maybe a picture of Albert Einstein) here.
  8. Career Front and center is the career space—definitely appropriate for a desk. Keep this spot free of clutter. Cerrano suggests displaying affirmations or motivational quotes around the office; this would be a great place to stick one of those.
  9. Helpful People and Travel If you’re in need of a little help from your friends, focus on the front right section. This is a good spot to put a phone or an address book (do people use those anymore?). This area also represents travel, so a travel guide or a photo of a dream vacation locale would work well here.

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