The tenants of smart interior design are essential for many homeowners, but beyond that, a sense of mindfulness applied to our home’s interiors is also starting to play a larger role in how well we live within our homes. Broader based concepts of these design precepts play out in home interiors through the incorporation of the ancient Asian energy-based principles of Feng Shui. You have probably heard about this in terms of the proper placement of furnishings for good energy flow, but did you know that principles of Feng Shui are also highly beneficial when applied to your bathroom?
Why Feng Shui?
Basically, Feng Shui is defined as the ancient Asian wisdom of optimizing the flow of energies, and it is concerned with five basic elements: fire, earth, metal, air, and water. The water element relates to wealth, wisdom, and social networks. The direct association the bathroom has with water denotes that it is wise to consider Feng Shui in its creation and application. Here are five ways to apply Feng Shui to your bathroom.
Of Special Note…
Did you know that if your toilet was installed prior to 1993, it probably uses almost two gallons more water per flush than a more modern model? For better efficiency overall and to save money on that water bill, plan to upgrade the 20th century toilet as soon as possible.
1. Install a Water Saving Device
Advocates of Feng Shui will note that water conservation is high on their list of practices. The principle, simply stated, is the more water you save, the more good energy you create. Low-flow applications are available for both faucets and toilets, and once installed, homeowners report little difference in efficiency when using them. What concerns some homeowners, however, is the thought of sacrificing the rejuvenating experience of their daily shower. When you consider that you can save up to 60 percent of the water you use in the shower with a change in showerhead, you may wish to re-consider that level of concern, especially since low-flow technologies have evolved from earlier residential iterations that simply mixed the flow of water with air creating more of a mist. Unsatisfied consumers of these applications complained of breezy, chilly showers. Today’s models that produce a quality stream at 6.6 liters per minute, compared with the traditional water-wasting, 9.5 liters per minute figure, are reported to be well-received by consumers. When it comes to water and our homes it is also important to perform regular maintenance checks to ensure that any leaks, which is also water waste, are quickly mitigated.
2. Shut Your Seat
Now when hubby forgets to put the seat down, you have a bona fide rationale to persuade him to remember. Leaving a seat up allows moisture to escape, and that moisture can lead to the unhealthy situation of mold and mildew growth in the home. In the world of Feng Shui this escape of water, is also a wasteful no-no.
3. Decorate with Plants
The principles of Feng Shui teach us that plants have the ability to transform the downward energy of water into vital life energy. With so much “water work” going on in the bathroom, it just makes sense to add the natural vibe of plants to the room. On-trend plants also serve to soften your space and they’re easy to tend, as they are regularly seen and there’s a water source close by.
4. Conceal Your Commode
This can certainly be easier said than done, unless you are currently designing your home. If you do have the opportunity to add a separate water closet (popular in Europe) or even a half wall, that will help obscure the view of your toilet when the door is open. In most already designed homes, this issue can be addressed by simply keeping the door closed at all times. This will help control the flow of energy—and you’ll get a chance to add that super charming bathroom door sign you’ve always wanted.
5. Deep Clean & Replace
In Feng Shui land it’s super important that the materials and surfaces that come in contact with your skin are thoroughly cleaned and of the best quality. Your bath towels, for instance, continually accumulate bacteria and odors so they should be deep-cleaned and even replaced on a regular basis. Your skin, the largest organ in your body, can absorb the energy of the materials that touch it, so to maintain the highest standard of health, choose sustainable and organic materials for your bath whenever possible, and use non-toxic, sustainable supplies to thoroughly clean it.
Applying the ancient principles of Feng Shui to our more contemporary surroundings creates a greater sense of mindfulness and health for the happier modern-day household.
