Hop into 2023 with these feng shui tips for your room

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice of using design to enhance health and prosperity.

And what better time to practise it than now, when Chinese New Year is fast approaching?

Chinese New Year is celebrated across China and wherever Chinese communities can be found. It marks the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

Known as the Spring Festival, the celebration starts with the first new moon that occurs between the end of January and spans the first 15 days of the first month of the lunar calendar.

It is a time for feasting and honouring ancestors and deities. To prepare, many often spring clean their homes to sweep away any ill fortune and to make way for incoming good luck.

Just because you’re away doesn’t mean you can’t continue this tradition with your student room.

And while you’re at it, why not make the most of feng shui, i.e. “the way of wind and water” to usher in luck and prosperity in 2023?

Simple and free ways to use feng shui in your student room:

Use feng shui to bring more positive vibes into your life. Source: Adek Berry/AFP

What is Feng Shui? 

Feng Shui is a method of balancing yin and yang. With its roots in early Taoism, it stems from the belief of “chi” (or “qi”) – the life force that inhabits everything. 

Chi is made up of yin and yang elements. Taoists believed that by balancing yin and yang elements, people can improve the flow of positive “chi” in their lives and keep the negative ‘chi’ away.

You can strike this balance through your home decor, by arranging furniture or adding decorations.

It is believed doing so would ensure good health, improve relationships, and bring luck and prosperity.

Some early examples of feng shui can be found in the placement of ancient Chinese grave sites. Feng shui followers believe good geography can protect the owner’s offspring.

Do these things to bring luck and harmony to your dorm room:

The bedroom is considered one of the most important rooms in a house. Just because you’re in a student room, it’s even more important to make your space a harmonious one. Here’s how: 

1. Good luck doesn’t like a mess 

Chinese traditions and superstitions say that homes should be clean before the start of the new year to open up spaces to invite new and good luck into your life.

Let go of old things and get rid of stuff that is broken, redundant or has not been used in the last six months. 

Priya Subberwal, Hong Kong-based feng shui consultant, interior designer and founder of Disha Consulting, shares that “this will allow a better quality of chi flow in your home.”

Do note that there must be no cleaning done on the first day of Chinese New Year to avoid “sweeping” away your luck. So be sure to finish the cleaning the day before!

2. Add colours 

As feng shui has a lot to do with shapes, colours, materials and structures, it’s good to add some colour to your room.

Lucky colours for the Year of the Rabbit include azure blue, apple green, red and pearl white. 

Nina Kati, Ireland-based feng shui interior design consultant, also advises that “warm, soft, earthy colours, deep blues, rich accents, plain white and luxurious metallics are great colour choices.” 

You can switch the colour of your bed covers, pillows and throws too. Earth tones and the use of ceramic can also attract positive energy, making your life more stable and healthier.

3.  Light some candles! 

 

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Try this if you want to improve the quality of your sleep. Take your muted colour scheme with the use of low-light bulbs or light some candles during your downtime. 

This will help create a relaxing ambience in your room and provide a calm environment essential to rest away your blues and get a good night’s sleep.  

It’ll also help create a sense of balance within your room, once again improving the all-important levels of “chi” throughout.

4. Close all drawers and doors when not in use

For good feng shui, limit all distractions.

One way to do this is to keep drawers and wardrobe doors closed when you’re trying to sleep or relax before bed.

If you’re already nicely tucked in bed and notice your wardrobe slightly open, get out and close it before you nod off. Trust us, you’ll fall asleep faster. 

Want to be part of the festivities as an international student? Cook up some auspicious Chinese New Year food with your friends! More about that here.