Category: decor

Best Feng Shui Plants For Abundance

As the weather starts to cool down it is great to bring some life into your space. I just got into growing plants and herbs on my doorstep. Have I killed some plants? Yes. But once you find the best plants that are low maintenance it can make all the difference. From a feng shui perspective no matter the plant you need to think lush and expanding. What are some types of plants that work best for most homes and what to avoid?….

Rubber Tree….

The rubber tree in feng shui symbolizes wealth and prosperity. You can place it in your wealth corner, but, more importantly, is to place it with indirect sunlight. It does need water, so make sure to check the soil often.

White bird-of-paradise….

This lush leafy plant takes up space, but will take about five years to fully mature. It brings lucky energy and growth since it continues to expand. It is said to help with passion and creativity. Place it in indirect light so the leaves do not burn.

Lucky bamboo….

You can separate the stalks to see if the plant has enough water. It does not need soil so a good idea is to keep it in a clear vase with a few small stones. The number of stalks have different meanings. Avoid four stalks since it means death in Chinese and is considered unlucky.

Pothos….

Everyone loves a leafy hanging plant. It represents positive energy, good luck, and wealth. It is a very easy plant to propagate and gift to friends. Works wonderfully in a shower.

Orchids….

A very romantic plant that is a living flower. I don’t love cut flowers since they die (more on that). It gives feminine energy and royalty. In feng shui, it helps with fertility and attracts love. It is a perfect plant to place in your love corner.

Are fake plants ok?….

As long as the plants look real then it is fair game. Some people might travel a lot or live in a dorm room as an example, and can’t maintain living plants. I actually have a mix of real and fake plants.

Dried and dead plants….

When you have anything dead or broken you are squashing the flow and chi in your home. Keep up with cut flowers or purchase flowers that are preserved and can last for years. It is always best to have living plants to create more life and breath in the home.

Spiky plants….

Cactus and aloe vera or any plant that has sharp points is not recommended. However, if you want to have a cactus and succulent garden in your yard, that is fine. Any plant that does not grow, such as bonsai trees or dwarf trees, is not good feng shui. You always want a plant that is going to keep growing.

Bottom Line….

The plant world can get complex. It is best to go for plants that are leafy and lush. I recommend going to Home Depot or Trader Joe’s for plants. Plants will improve your air quality and bring life into your space. It is also a great idea to get into herbs while you are at it. Basil is a wonderful herb for starters and mint is also easy to care for. Make sure to place plants in indirect light and check the soil to make sure it is always moist. Fake plants are not illegal and can work great for dorm rooms or people who travel constantly.

How To Attract Guests With Home Decor

Feng shui is not just a “woo-woo” practice. It has some practical takeaways that can give peace of mind. Most important is feeling like you can be a great host for guests. For anyone in the process of moving or thinking about revamping their current place I have some notes on what makes a hang-worthy environment….

Location….

Do I always mention this? I do. Location is key for having willing guests to swing by. I understand people want to save money by renting somewhere outside of town. Personally, I feel if your goal is to attract more friends or have an easier dating life, I would suggest going for a studio in town versus a 1-bedroom on the outskirts.

Furniture…

Let’s get with the basics. Comfortable furniture is a must. I have sat on too many cheap rock hard futons. There are ways to get furniture secondhand and to get things reupholstered. Even an outside porch chair should feel comfortable to sit in.

Layout…

In feng shui what is talked about a lot is “flow,” meaning intuitive ways to walk through, sit down, and relax. Have side tables to place a drink and the perfect angle for the TV. Play around with living room layout to see what makes sense. You don’t have to shove all the furniture up against a wall. Create your own seating nook so people can engage and chat. Watch design shows on Youtube to get some inspiration. A good follow is “apartment therapy.”

Dual purpose furniture….

Going back to the goals of hosting. Maybe you want to host dinner parties. There are types of tables that can fold out into larger tables. (I am obsessed with functional dual-purpose furniture). For smaller spaces, it is great to provide more seating that can be tucked away later.

Make sure you have drinks and snacks…

Offering a drink is a must. Stock your fridge with a few wine bottles, beer, and some seltzer water. You don’t want to only have tap water. It is more of an adult vibe to have a drink fridge and some snacks around. This doesn’t mean high-end expensive drinks. You can pick these staples up at Trader’s Joes, etc.

Tidy up the place….

Be in the habit of having a clean space. You might have to give yourself daily chores to keep up. No one wants to sit around empty pizza boxes and go to a bathroom with no toilet paper.

Art on the wall and decor….

You don’t have to emulate a dentist office waiting room, although there is something to be said for calming art and overall zen paint color choices. Plants can help to make a space more alive. Pick full lush leafy plants or a Pothos that can dangle on a shelf.

How are you entertaining….

For extra credit it is nice to have streaming services or music services without ads. A pet peeve of mine is when you are in deep conversation and a blaring ad about ED juts in. You don’t have to have every streaming service to be premium, but just pick one for guests.

Lighting….

No overheads allowed. Have dimmers or lamps with an amber glow bulb.

Finally, energetic blocks….

It has to be addressed if you may be subconsciously preventing friendships from forming. Do you hide behind clutter and excuses and wave people away? You might not want people to fully connect and enjoy your space because of fear or past trauma. Our homes reflect how we are feeling about ourselves and what we are shutting out.

Bottom Line….

When considering where to move to or just wanting a refresh it is good to keep these tips in mind. Ask yourself what goals you want from your living situation. Do you want to be host and have a few friends over on occasion or do you want to have full dinner parties or poker nights? A big point is to ask yourself if you honestly want company. Guests can get a little out of hand if your home is too welcoming. If this happens, then make sure to place boundaries up and describe the hosting with other friends so the burden isn’t always you. Lastly, recognize your energetic blocks for having a welcoming home.