Full house

By on August 30, 2010

That your home is a reflection of your life is clear to readers of this column and those interested in Feng Shui. It is therefore imperative that you select what truly appeals to you with which to decorate your home space, as such purchases will impact your state of mind and your well-being.  Shopping for the home is not always the easiest task, as there are many factors to consider. Here are a few hints that can help you make the most of your retail excursions.

Made to Measure

It is essential to ensure that your purchases will fit in your home. I have often seen living rooms, bedrooms, and offices decorated with furniture that was too large for the space. This not only gives a cramped feeling to the environment; you might start to feel as though you need to break free and are being held back because the structure of your space (home = body/mind) is too big for what you have inside (possessions = spirit). Do not make your purchases without careful consideration. Measure your space so that you are aware of what range of dimensions could enable any purchases to fit. When measuring space for a couch, bookshelf, or the like, remember to include ‘empty’ space so that you could have a magazine rack, plant, lamp, or other such object nearby. If something will just fit, it might be too big. 

The same applies for art. You want to have sufficient space on the wall for any framed pieces you will be hanging – and also to ensure that the art won’t be too small for the space you have in mind. Very few people are capable of accurately visualizing the space they have available. You might also consider measuring your car if you plan to bring your artwork home yourself. I once had a challenging situation when a large piece I bought at Ikea wouldn’t fit in the car because it was a meter and a half wide – once I did get it home (in a friend’s van), it didn’t fit above the bookcase where I had anticipated placing it because it was literally two centimetres too tall! (I did find a great place for it, but it wasn’t what I’d hoped for.) 

Bottom line: measure your space before you go shopping, and write down the measurements! If you have something on your wish list but are not explicitly out shopping for it, you may consider having a floorplan with basic measurements in your purse, bag, or car so that you can easily access this information should you stumble across a potential purchase.

Colour Me Happy

The colours of the objects you purchase have a huge impact on every other piece in the same room. You might think that those curtains will match your sofa (or vice versa), but are you sure? In order to avoid major clashes of tones, see if it is possible to bring a sample of the material home to compare. Be certain to examine it in different lighting – if possible, in both sunny and cloudy weather, with only inside lighting, and at different times of the day – so that you are certain you are getting what you truly want. 

In and Out

When purchasing new items, consider what you will do with your old ones. I have one client who will recycle an item of clothing each time she buys something new, a remarkable level of rarely-applied common sense. As a result, she has a wonderfully organized closet not quite filled with beautiful clothing that she really appreciates. Unless you have a large space or are just starting your collections, think of doing the same thing not only with clothing but also with books, CDs, magazines, kitchenware, and decorative objects. You might even place some items in storage so that you can rotate them seasonally and continue to feature your favourites. 

May all of your purchases only enrich you and your home!

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.