Table of Contents
Introduction
Designing your workspace can significantly impact your productivity, either by keeping you focused and motivated or by causing distractions and interruptions. Your office’s energy affects how you feel, which in turn impacts your productivity and quality of work.
By addressing the energy, or chi, in your office, Feng Shui sets you up for a more productive day, a more lucrative career, and, ultimately, a more fulfilling existence.
If you work from home, Feng Shui is especially important for home offices since you have complete control over its design, unlike corporate offices.
Hence, we’d like to share some of our Feng Shui tips that you can apply to your office for a more balanced work life. Let’s get started.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui means āwindā (Feng) and āwaterā (Shui). In Feng Shui, objects are arranged according to the flow of natural energy to promote focus, productivity, and overall well-being. It is the practice of harmonising yourself with the surrounding environment.
The concept originated in China over 3,000 years ago and has been adopted in Asian-Pacific places like Japan, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia. Feng shui has gained popularity in Western countries recently, too.
6 Office Feng Shui Ideas to Make Your Workspace More Balanced
1. Clear away office clutter
Clutter restricts the flow of positive energy around your workspace and interferes with your mental clarity and productivity.
Keep 50% of your executive desk clutter-free. Remove any mess from your work area, such as old paperwork, excess office supplies, and miscellaneous items. This does not mean you dump all the clutter into the drawers of your storage unit or desktop. Regardless of whether clutter is visible or not, it shapes the room’s energy.
2. Choose your office colours mindfully
In Feng Shui, the colour of your office depends on the type of work you do. For example, Feng Shui colours for lawyers might not be as conducive to productivity as for graphic designers.
Moreover, you donāt have to paint the entire wall to introduce a specific colour into your workspace. For example, you could introduce a tiffany blue reception desk or a brick red sofa to do the trick.
However, for large offices with open space planning, go for earthy tones like pale gold, sandstone, soft yellow, light grey, and soft brown colours, since bright colours can make you feel distracted and stressed.
A few colours that work well in any office are:
- Black represents the water element and is associated with money and good luck
- Green and blue work great for workplaces that require analytical thinking
- Neutral colours like light grey, pastel brown, and pale yellow relieve stress and promote harmony
- Colours like red, orange, and yellow boost creativity
Also read: How the Colour of the Office and the Office Furniture Can Impact Productivity.
3. Adjust your deskās position
The ideal placement of the CEOās desk is the command or power position. It refers to the furthest spot from the room’s entrance and should directly face the door without being directly in line with it. Such a desk arrangement shows your authority as the head of the office and your ability to see every opportunity coming your way.
Ideally, your executive desk should be placed at the centre of the room so that energy can flow freely around you. Avoid sitting back-to-back or face-to-face with other professionals in an office with open space planning. If you have to sit directly opposite another employee, use a barrier like a plant or an operational desk with a dividing screen.
4. Incorporate nature into your workspace
Research shows that nature relieves stress, makes people think positively, and improves productivity, creativity, and overall well-being.
You could introduce an indoor plant to add life to your workspace. Some of our recommendations for Feng Shui plants for the office are Peace Lily, Lucky Bamboo, Jade Plant and Rubber Plant.
You could also incorporate nature-inspired imagery, such as a mountain behind your seating. In feng shui, a mountain stands for support.
Having a window with a great view will also stimulate your creativity. Consider adding a wind chime to add some extra movement.
5. Consider the lighting
A well-lit workspace is essential, as working in a dark office can strain your eyes and drain your energy. You will feel more energised and productive during the day if you have abundant natural light around you.
However, all offices need artificial lighting from lamps. It is best to avoid yellow-tinted and fluorescent lighting as it can bring about fatigue. Go for incandescent, full-spectrum light bulbs instead.
6. Ensure you invest in the right office furniture
In Feng Shui, sharp edges represent cutting energy and can add pressure and stress to an environment. It is essential to avoid sharp edges that point directly at you. Instead, invest in a round corner executive desk or meeting table to keep your office feeling tranquil and less stressful.
Also, invest in an executive desk made of sturdy material like wood. Ensure that the wooden executive desk has storage drawers so that you can keep the surface clutter-free and is large enough to work comfortably at.
Additionally, investing in an ergonomic, high-back executive chair will give you a sense of support within your workspace.
Also read: How to Choose The Best Furniture For Your Office.
Wrapping Up
Following Feng Shui principles can help you optimise your workspace and create a positive work environment that promotes success. From incorporating specific colours to placing your executive desk strategically to choosing the right modern office furniture, there are multiple ways to make your office feng shui-friendly.
As an end-to-end Office and Commercial Interior Design & Build company, we provide solutions for end-to-end Office Fit-Out and Refurbishment and modern office furniture. As a company committed to creating modern and inspirational workspaces for over 25 years, we strive to exceed our client’s expectations. If you require bespoke services, please feel free to contact us.
