Roughly this time last year, the world was obsessed with Marie Kondo and her lessons of “sparking joy” through decluttering and tidying up. The Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, dropped on January 1, 2019, and as the world rose from its post-Christmas food hangovers (and actual NYE hangovers) we realised we needed to go on a de-cluttering binge.

Now, with 2020 fast approaching, there’s another way we can reinvigorate our homes. Speaking to Mamamia, feng shui expert Edgar Lok Tin Yung shared his words of wisdom on how people can utilise the Chinese principles of ‘feng shui’ to bring more luck, health and prosperity into our homes.

Because who wouldn’t want more of that?

The Block’s Shaynna Blaze tells us how portable screens can be helpful to decorate a rental home without worrying about any damage.

So what exactly is feng shui?

As a direct translation, ‘feng shui’ means wind (feng) water (shui). The term refers to two of the five elements in Chinese philosophy, the other three of which are fire, earth and metal.

“Feng shui is a set of techniques intended to manipulate the wind and water Qi (or ‘energy’) for a built structure or soon-to-be-built structure to bring in offspring, wealth, health and longevity for the occupants,” says Edgar.

While high ceilings, great lighting and a throw cushion can help, sometimes you’ll go into a room and it’ll just feel right. Edgar puts this down to the ‘feng shui’ of a room.

According to research, it’s got tangible benefits too. In a report from HSBC, over half of Australians would be more likely to purchase a home that has implemented feng shui principles, something Edgar has seen first hand.

“In my 20+ years of experience as a Feng Shui Master, I have seen many cases of homes with correct feng shui activations for sale and in most of these cases the properties sold for more than the expected price,” he says.

“The positive energy will make the house vibrant and attract more buyers to bid for the house.”

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But how can one bring “health, wealth, prosperity, longevity” into the home? Essentially, there are “feng shui rules” and good and bad feng shui configurations which dictate how you should design your home.

So, if you’re looking to revamp the feng shui of your home before the new year, here are five easy tips to get you started.

What should I do to my home before the New Year arrives?

1. Start with the entryway. 

You might think the bedroom is the most important room in the house, but according to the rules of feng shui, it’s actually the entryway or hallway.

“Traditional feng shui tells us that the most important area in a house or office is the main door or the main entrance as this is the connection point to the outside world,” instructs Edgar.

“If the main entrance is set up correctly (in terms of direction and positioning), it channels good opportunities to enter the house.”

2. If you can, get a water feature.

In feng shui, water represents wealth and Edgar says incorporating a water feature is one key way you can attract wealth into your home. But keep them outside of the main entrance, he warns.

“Regardless of the orientation of your house, there are two areas you can place a water feature to increase wealth,” he says.

“Place a water feature about three meters directly in front of the main entrance and place a water feature at 45 degrees measuring from the centre of the main door. The water feature in front of the door should not be over 75cm in height.”

This can look like a diffuser, a little indoor water fountain or a fish tank. (Granted, not everyone has the space or capacity to do this step!)

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3. It’s time to declutter.

A cluttered house equals cluttered Qi, and this will disrupt the harmony of your home.

“It is good to get rid of unwanted big objects which can block the Qi flow and declutter the home as well as the front and backyard areas,” says Edgar.

“With that said, fast-flowing Qi is undesirable and if your front door is directly in line with the back door then the qi flow will come directly in and flow straight out which will disperse the Qi. A big vase or a small table can slow this down.”

So it’s time to make like Marie Kondo, and scrap what does not bring you joy.

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4. We’ve got great news for plant parents.

While plants in general work to smooth the ‘Qi’ in your home, the placement of your plants can also increase the value of your property.

“If your home orientation happens to be facing East, Southeast or South, you can place more plants (at least 1.3m in height) at the entrance area inside and outside of your house to active the directional element. This can help to improve the value of the property,” he notes.

Although most plants will boost a home’s feng shui, those with soft and rounded leaves are especially good for smoothing ‘Qi’. So think plants like fiddle leaf figs, ferns, Devi’s Ivy, calatheas and Chinese money plants.

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5. Be wary of the ‘centre of the house’.

In feng shui, Edgar calls the centre of the house, “the heart of the house”.

“This should be kept as spacious as possible. Do not place any active objects in the centre of the home.”

According to feng shui principles, bucking this rule could apparently lead to health issues like “stomach and heart issues”.

“Most modern houses have the kitchen placed at the centre. I have seen houses with the fridge located at the very centre of the house. This is not a good Feng Shui configuration,” he says.

“In traditional Chinese culture, the heart is responsible for some decision making, and if the centre of this is activated it can make it easier to make bad decisions.”

Have you ever considered feng shui-ing your home? Tell us in the comments.