A Feng Shui Philosophy

Feng shui might seem like new age wackiness to some, but in reality it's an ancient practice rooted in some good common sense. In fact, this philosophy has gained in popularity in recent times, with homeowners, renters and even professionals jumping on the bandwagon.

In its most simple form as it relates to interior design, feng shui basically is the creation of a space that's functional, attractive and free of clutter. The idea is that anything from a bedroom to an office can, and should be inviting to the user, providing a place of refuge or a productive outlet for the creation of work.

As it relates to offices and the purchase of office furniture, feng shui couldn't be more at home. To start incorporating feng shui principles into an office, the first place to start is with the colors.

Colors according to feng shui teachings can excite, relax, motivate or even depress or anger the people in a room. The thought is bright colors can motivate and excite while very deep, dark colors can depress or relax those within a space. Inasmuch as it relates to offices, colors are generally better if they're neutral with dashes of warm tones to excite the brain and get the creative juices flowing.

The colors scheme should compliment an entire room and bring it together - from the carpets and walls to the drapes and office furniture.

Once a scheme has been decided upon, the furniture should be carefully chosen. Office furniture that fits into the principle will be functional, yet attractive. It will afford enough storage space for users to avoid a ton of desktop clutter and it will fit nicely into the room it's placed in.

Seating should never be placed with a back to the door as this arrangement can create a sense of unease in the user, something that, of course, is not productive.

Those designing offices using feng shui principles should also take care to ensure the "flow" of the room works. It should provide freedom of movement while retaining functionality.

Whether it's in an office, a home or a store, feng shui can be a great theme upon which to build a design. Providing some common sense suggestions for the creation a space that's functional, attractive and productive to work in, this ancient art has made a comeback for a lot of reasons.