Creating a Cozy Space with Feng Shui
Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash
Creating a Cozy Space with Feng Shui
In the winter, many of us are contemplating the months that we’ll be spending indoors. Depending on where you live, there might be a long, cold winter ahead of you, and making sure your living space is cozy is one way to help you weather the season. In this post, we’re sharing how to use feng shui to make your space cozier. You can use these tips regardless of your interior style – the beauty of feng shui principles is that they can be applied to any kind of decor!
Lean into yin energy
The first thing we’d recommend to make your space cozy is to lean into what we call yin qi or yin energy in feng shui. Yin is a feng shui term that speaks to the idea of being soft, receptive, plush, dark, and quiet. You can add more yin qi by embracing these qualities in your home decor. To learn more about yin and yang, check out this blog post.
To create more yin energy, you can emphasize softness in your space by using curvy shapes, plush materials, and softer lighting. Curved lines and round shapes suggest a soft flow of qi because yin energy is connected to the water element. Think about soft, flowing, formless lines of water, for instance. Soft, plush materials are also a great way to work with yin energy in your home. Natural fibers are very soothing, and you can also think about what materials feel cozy and nourishing to you.
Warm-toned or dimmable lighting through lamps or ceiling fixtures is another way to create a soothing atmosphere. You could also use candles to provide a softer, more yin source of light. Having some darker corners in your home helps signal to your brain when it’s nighttime, which is more of a yin time. Darkness in your home in the evening replicates nature, and having dark corners in your home creates an atmosphere that balances yin and yang.
You can also offer moments of quiet in your home. This can be encouraged with soft surfaces or drapery that absorbs sound. Think about a recording studio with things like foam or fabric panels on the walls. You could also designate certain moments or spaces as quiet times or quiet areas.
Feng shui tips to make your living room cozy
There are certain rooms in our homes that naturally lend themselves to coziness, like a living room where you tend to spend time reading, watching TV, or playing games. In these spaces, you may want to focus on accent lighting like floor lamps and table lamps instead of an overhead light to create a cozier feeling. If you do have an overhead light that you want to use, a dimmer switch can be a great option.
Choose a sofa that is more grounding, perhaps a lower profile. We would also suggest something that doesn’t have a lot of metal details on it, but rather something soft and upholstered that you can really sink into. Next, imagine yourself doing the things you like to do during this cozy season, like playing games or chatting with friends or family, and move your furniture around to support that. For example, set up seating that’s more receptive and inviting, like seats in a “U” shape, encouraging people to sit and face each other, rather than sitting side by side or with their backs to each other. A rug that covers your seating area can also go a long way in making your space more cozy.
Feng shui tips to make your bedroom cozy
The bedroom is another space in your home where you may want to use feng shui principles to create a cozier space. One way to do this is to make sure you have a solid, stable headboard. This creates a feeling of coziness because it anchors the bed visually and energetically. It supports you from behind, like a strong mountain at your back. If you want to really lean into the coziness, you can choose an upholstered headboard or one with curved lines for extra softness. Or, instead of buying new furniture, add more pillows and throw blankets to your bed to add warmth. When it comes to bedding, we recommend natural fibers as much as possible because you’re surrounded by the life force energy of those fibers whenever you’re sleeping. Adding a rug underneath your bed can also help ground your space and create more coziness.
It’s also important to make sure that you and your partner also have equal space and support in your bedroom. We suggest a side table on each side of the bed where you can each place a book or important items, and a source of light for each of you.
What are the coziest colors in feng shui?
We’re often asked what the best feng shui color is, and the answer is: it depends! You can have a space of any color that feels cozy. It’s really about thoughtfully layering different elements and color tones, because curating a space that is thoughtful and meaningful to you is what makes a space really cozy. You can bring in color through rugs, art, or other design details, and you can choose any colors that feel cozy to you.
From a feng shui perspective, there are certain colors that lean more towards being grounding and cozy. You don’t need to paint your whole room to make your space feel cozy, but adding some accents of these shades can go a long way:
Umber is a dark, warm brown, like rich earth. One of our favorite ways to bring in this color is through wooden furniture, especially antique or vintage pieces. Just make sure you space clear your secondhand furniture!
Yellow ochre is a deep, ferrous yellow, and it’s a natural pigment found in artwork as far back as prehistoric times. In feng shui, it represents grounded earth energy.
Cream or chalky whites with yellow or pink undertones are another grounding choice. These warmer whites have cooling qi with a touch of nurturing earthiness. If your aesthetic leans more minimal, these soft neutrals help to create more coziness than a stark white.
We hope these tips help you create a cozy space that nourishes and supports you this winter!