What images do you have in your head when I say "feng shui?" Most people think of rooms or other enclosed areas when they hear this term. Feng shui isn't just for inside; many people are surprised to learn that it can be used effectively in their gardens and patios. The backyard, like the inside, is where you spend a lot of time, so it's important to put some thought and care into its design. Spending some time on your outdoor space's feng shui layout will help you and your loved ones relax and enjoy it more.
If you want to employ feng shui to design your backyard, you'll have to give some thought to the meaning and placement of certain features. In this brief lesson, we'll look at a few popular backyard features, how to approach them from a feng shui perspective, and how to arrange them for maximum positive energy.
Furniture
and Seating for Outdoor Usage
Having a gathering place outside with comfortable seats and tables is a great way to bring people together. A comfortable seating area can help keep the peace in the home and serve as an extra living space for the family. It's important to make sure there's enough seating for everyone in the family to feel comfortable and at a similar social level. Even something as simple as a round outdoor coffee table can improve the flow of qi and make it easier for people to congregate. One option for enhancing the cosiness of a seating area is to install a fire pit or other similar focal point.
Outdoor Dining Sets
Outdoor dining sets are a
reflection of the friends and family you value as much as any interior dining
table. Having a backyard patio set is a wonderful way to bring people together
and foster closer relationships. Having guests over for a meal is a great way
to increase the amount of qi (life force energy) in your home. As you choose
what size table and how many seats to buy, keep in mind the types of meetings
you intend to have in the room.
When shopping for a
dining set, you might also give thought to the colour scheme. In accordance
with the five-element theory of feng shui, below are some potential colour
choices and their associated meanings:
Peace within the family
Colors:
• Red and orange,
signifying warmth and affection;
• Black and dark grey,
signifying a calm, relaxing vibe
White or cream: lucidity
and introspection
Earth tones have a calming, reassuring vibe that is ideal for nurturing and grounding.
Pools
Backyards are a great
spot to install a pool, which stands for the water element. It's preferable to
have the pool behind the house rather than on the side or in front. Having a
pool next to the house is also not a good idea. If your pool and house are in
close proximity to one another, you can restore harmony by inserting wood
elements like trees and shrubs in the space between them.
If you currently have a
square or rectangular pool in your backyard, don't fret over it; kidney-shaped
or oval pools are ideal. Adding vegetation, trees, or contoured hardscaping to
the perimeter of a rectangular pool can help soften its sharp corners.
Hot Tubs
Hot tubs, like swimming pools, have a natural affinity for the element of water. The fire element is also present in a hot tub due to the high temperatures reached there. Creating a more tranquil outdoor environment requires striking a balance between the elements of water and fire. Adding wood by way of plants and shrubs surrounding the hot tub is one way to accomplish this.
Fire Pits
Fire pits, symbols of the
element fire, can be used to create a welcoming and comforting atmosphere in an
outdoor living space. A good spot for a fire pit is the bagua's Li sector,
which corresponds to the area known as Fame in English. The heart of the yard's
back half, this spot is linked to the element of fire. A fire pit is a great focal
point for any backyard to attract the best feng shui. The earth element is
represented by the Tai qi at the core of the feng shui bagua.
In feng shui, each of the five elements has a mutually reinforcing relationship with the others; fire serves as a source of nourishment for earth. Lighting a fire in the Li or Fame area can strengthen the home's central ground energy.