1  How  Chi  enters  your  home . . .

The front door is one of the most important areas to consider when starting your Feng Shui journey.

It is where most of the Chi to your property enters, as do you. It should firstly be in proportion to the rest of the house, clean and very tidy.

Try to make it as welcoming as possible, ensuring the door and its furniture are clean and in good working order.

It is also worth noting that your house number or name should be visible and clearly seen from the road, a benefit not only to actual visitors, but to lay the path down for possibilities and opportunities to come your way without difficulty.

The doorway should be free of obstructions and the entrance hall clear of piles of shoes and coats.

It is also a good idea to buy a new door mat every year, throwing away the old one and its negative, foot-wiped Chi.

2  Clear  that  clutter!

Clearing clutter could be one of the very first things you do, in order to improve the overall Chi within your home.

Clutter can be put into numerous categories, such as old paperwork, piles of clothing, stuff on the stairs, old gifts you no longer want and so on.

But the basic principle to follow is this:

· Do you love it?
· Does it have any lasting practical use?
· Have you used it in the last 18 months?
· If it's broken, can it be fixed?
· Is it a gift from a friend or relative with meaning in your life?

If you answered no to any of the above, throw it out, recycle it or give it to a charity shop.

This can be hard to get to grip with at first, and after a long time of hoarding, can often be a real struggle.

Clearing clutter aims to strip away from our lives irrelevant and useless objects and effects that we tend to carry around with us till the end of days.

Purging ourselves of unwanted and broken belongings allows us to let the future provide for us, providing we are positive and open ourselves.

3  Clarity  is  everything

This isn't a commonly recommended Feng Shui tip, but I feel it has a lot of impact on our daily lives.

If you have dirty, cracked or even broken windows, this will have a direct effect on you.

The windows of a property are representative of its eyes. It's the clear vision and clarity of thought that a good set of clean windows can bring.

I also feel that light that enters your home could also be tainted and its purity lost if it has to go through grime, smears and bird droppings before resting on your face.

So get out there with a bottle of vinegar and some newspaper and shine your windows inside and out until sparkling clean.

4  Bedroom

When considering the amount of time we spend resting during our lives making the bedroom a harmonious space adds up.

So reason would suggest that making sure there are no electromagnetic fields close to our heads could severely have an impact on our sleep patterns.

A good, clear flow of air in your bedroom is recommended, and equal space
either side of the bed.

5  Kitchen

Start by throwing away any items of cutlery and pottery that may be cracked or chipped.

This broken sense of completeness can impact on the food and drink we have from the item. It is much better to give your guests an untarnished mug of tea, than one that is stained brown with use.

As food is one of the main sources for our energy and Chi, the kitchen must be kept very clean and preferably situated in the south of any house.

Try to keep your cupboards nicely stocked up, and fresh vegetables in your fridge.

6  Living  room

As this room is generally the one most time is spent in (second to the bedroom), it should be kept tidy and clean.

It is worth finding out your Kua Number to arrange your room in the best way for you and your family. Find this out by visiting the website.

7  Photography  and  artwork

The use of photography and artwork can really bring a room to life.

I recommend using natural textures and images to bring a little of the outside world inside.

Photographs of your family and friends also helps bring your connection to them alive every time you view the picture.

Try to avoid pictures that are dull or somewhat depressing in nature, as this will again have a direct impact on our psychology. So too will pictures of one person reinforce the essence of your single
life if you are so.

8  Lighting

Lights should always be energy savers where possible, and always remove and replace bulbs that have blown.

Clever use of lighting can really make a difference to a room. Try to brighten up any dark corners to lift stagnant Chi that may be collecting there.

9  Plants

Plants have fantastic energy and can really add outside life to inside your home.

There are lots of wide, rounded shaped leaved plants to choose from.

Each type of plant holds certain characteristics, depending on shape, size and colour.

To activate and liven up a dark corner, you could place a slightly pointy leaved plant here with a standard lamp behind it to show off its foliage.

10  You

Good Feng Shui will only ever be as good as you are at keeping it up.

Not only should one try and put positive thoughts and belief into the re-arranging of rooms and space clearing, but also to the whole world.

Consider thought as being as tangible as heat from a radiator, and you'll see that it is vital to be positive when thinking about others.

Having negative thoughts and attitudes will only serve to promote negative events - and negative people - around you.

By David Walters FSSA, Dip. Chiro.

For more information on Feng Shui and David visit Freelow Feng Shui online.