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Home seek

By on April 29, 2009

The choice of where to live is one fraught with many considerations, and rightly so: the space where you live sets a strong tone for the experience you will have in all arenas of your life, those that take place both within and outside of the home. Let’s examine some of the important features to look out for.

Shape
Homes with an equilateral shape have a more grounded presence – if possible, aim for a space that doesn’t have an angular floorplan. A regularly-shaped home has a clear sense of horizon, enabling you to more easily see where you are going in life, whereas multiple turns and angles can leave one open to so many possibilities that navigating them can be confusing. The same goes for angular rooms – too many walls caused by angles can present a dizzying array of choices. (I’ve seen apartments that have eight walls visible within a room because of cut corners and how different rooms intersected each other in the apartment – sure enough, the residents were woefully unclear of where they were going in life.)

Size
While it should go without saying that your home should provide enough space for everything that you want to have there, it is important to be accurate in your appraisal. Unless you are planning to release some possessions, take measurements that will enable you to discern whether the space is roomy enough for you and your belongings.

Is there enough closet space in the bedroom, entrance, guest rooms, and everywhere else? If not, be certain that you will have room for extra wardrobes or if you will realistically downsize your clothing to fit. Jammed closets have a huge impact on your psychological state since you interface with them daily – make sure they will be able to be well organized.

Are the kitchen cabinets roomy enough? Not having enough space for plates and your food can seriously cramp your access to good health and nourishment.

Is the bedroom big enough for the furniture that you have? Can you fit your bed with the headboard along an inside wall, with a view of the door? Will you also be able to get any cabinets in there with your bed? Having a cramped bedroom will make it more challenging to rest with ease and to feel that you have space in your relationship.

Do you have room on the walls for your favourite artwork, and for larger pieces of furniture, like bookcases and china cabinets? When looking at a space, it can be easy to forget how much furniture or artwork you have. Rather than have the shocking realization that things won’t fit after you move in, better to be realistic by measuring precisely and taking stock of all the items that you wish to have present in your space.

Entry
The entrance is a key focal point of your home – you go in and out every day (presumably) so you want it to be roomy and welcoming. It should also be attractive when viewed both from the outside and inside. If it’s not going to warm your heart coming through this space regularly, think twice about committing to it. It is preferred that the door open beyond 90 degrees – that is, that it not have a wall immediately behind it. If this is the case avoid placing coat racks and other furniture in that space; if it is not the case, aim to have artwork that features an expansive view to create the illusion of a more open space.

A room with a view
What do you see from inside your home? Windows are an essential component of your living space as they serve to bridge the inner and outer worlds. If you are left only looking at a wall or into your neighbours’ lives, consider if that is what you wish – while there are times in larger cities where you won’t have a choice, aim to at least have a view of the sky and if possible some trees. If your windows will accommodate planter boxes or some potted plants, that can help to soften the impact of an urban view. Additionally, it is preferred that your windows compose no more than 30% of the space on each wall (unusual in newer architecture, I know, but true nonetheless) – a higher percentage places more emphasis on what is going on outside than inside. With panels and drapes you can help to minimize the outflow if the window space is larger than the suggested amount.

Feeling at home at home
Taking in account important details when choosing a new place to live will help ensure that your experience there will be so much more fulfilling. Good luck and enjoy!

About Mark Ainley

Mark Ainley is a Contemporary Feng Shui Consultant and Emotional Stress Consultant living in Vancouver. A former 5-year resident of Tokyo, Mark consults with clients internationally to help them design living and work spaces in alignment with their goals. He also provides consulting in emotional stress management, as well as in the connection between facial structure and innate behavioural and communication patterns. He can be reached through his website: www.senseofspace.com and www.markainley.com.