Feng Shui Tips For Creating A Backyard Retreat

Although often associated with interior decorating, feng shui actually began as a theory on placing homes within the natural terrain, and balancing outdoor elements, so it can easily be used to create a relaxing atmosphere not just inside, but around, the garden. Even without a total re-design, a few small changes can be made to make your garden a more relaxing getaway using feng shui.

First, it is important to understand that feng shui is based on physical layouts and balance. There are five elements in feng shui; water, earth, fire, metal, and wood. It is important that each is represented. Elements made from wood should be no stranger to your backyard. However, how you incorporate them into this area will depend on what you want to achieve. Some people want aesthetically pleasing feng shui elements that complement the home’s theme. If that’s your preference, find out what professionals like Core Timber offer in terms of doors and windows made with feng shui elements while transforming your home simultaneously. There are also eight segments of the yard, corresponding to different areas of influence in life.

The career segment is to the north, and benefits from water and metal elements. Wisdom, to the northeast, and relationships, to the southwest, are positively affected by the earth. Family is to the east and is strengthened by wood, as is wealth in the southeast. Reputation is direct to the south and is represented well by fire. Children and creativity in the West benefit from the constructive element of metal, as does travel in the Northwest.

In addition to focusing on the areas of the yard the decorator needs the most help in, and using the appropriate element within the areas, there are a few general concepts which should be followed.

The garden should never be a simple rectangle, and its paths should wander and meander. This keeps the flow of the chi moving and picks up extra positive energy on the way. The garden should also be kept neat and alive. Any dead plants or clutter, as well as plants or dirt creeping onto walkways, should be immediately removed. Plants, including trees, which die, should be rooted out completely, rather than cut at the trunk or stem.

When it comes to a seating area you might like to think about something unique like hammocks, which could be attached to existing trees or use a stand. This is something you can bring out when you want to relax and put away when you want to enjoy the flow of your garden.

Open gates are said to be as welcoming to Chi as they are to guests, so these are never a bad addition. Items which create motion are an important part of attracting chi and keeping its flow.

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Water is the essence of chi, and water features are an important part of the feng shui garden or yard. Even in a small yard, there should be at least one water feature. It is important that the water flows and is not stagnant, as stagnant water leads to stagnation in chi and life energies.

Waterfalls or meandering streams are ideal. If there is space, a fish pond should be added, with eight red or goldfish, and one black fish. The black fish will attract the negative chi. If there is no space for nine fish, a different odd number should be used, and never four. If a fish dies, it is said to have absorbed negative chi, and this is not a reason to fret or change the layout of the pond.

Long-living plants with plenty of flowers, fruit, or foliage are best. Evergreens are a good choice as they flourish all year, and do not lose their leaves during the winter months.

Although any bright colours can be used in feng shui design, if the goal is specifically to create a relaxing retreat, blues and purples will be the most soothing.

Because of its origins as a method for placing the home, feng shui is challenged by a downward-sloping backyard. Symbolically, a backyard which is lower than the front yard symbolises an unmovable mountain at the door and will stop the flow of chi. However, there are some ways to redirect chi into and through the home using feng shui in the backyard.

Planting a tree as high as the roof, or directing a spotlight from the bottom of the slope up to the roof will redirect chi to the roofline and the house. A large boulder at the beginning of the slope indicates a mountain supporting the house. In fact, a bowl-shaped boulder will also bring prosperity, since it can represent a large bowl of rice.

Even those with very Western taste in design can appreciate the use of feng shui to create a peaceful, serene, and relaxing getaway in the backyard.