Boost Your Mood at Work With These Feng Shui Office Layout Ideas
Whether you work from home or commute to an office, chances are you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk. So why not make sure you're as comfortable as possible by setting your space up for success with a good feng shui office layout?
According to feng shui — the Chinese practice of arranging spaces in a way that positively impacts health and wellbeing — there are plenty of tips you can easily implement to design a more productive, energized space.
Feng shui master Dana Claudat puts it simply: "When you look at it in practical terms, when you're in a great mood, everything is easier. And great feng shui can support you in maintaining a great mood more of the time."
We spoke to three feng shui experts to uncover all you need to know about creating an optimal environment you'll look forward to working in every day. Read on for some of their best tips and tricks.
Place your desk in the commanding position.
According to feng shui, one of the most important foundational principles is related to desk placement — a principle called commanding position. Here, Style by Emily Henderson follows Feng Shui practices with the positioning of the desk.
"Set up your desk so that when you're sitting there working, you can see the primary entry to the space without being directly in line with it (usually this means diagonal from the door). Ideally, you have a solid wall behind you for support," says expert Anjie Cho.
With the entrance in front of the desk, you're making yourself aware of the energy coming towards you. Plus, you'll be able to see your path forward rather than facing a wall that stops you. However, if your space doesn't allow this sort of placement, we have a couple of quick solutions in the list to come.
Photo by: Sara Tramp
Incorporate plants next to your desk.
Incorporating plants into any space is always a good idea, especially the office. In feng shui, they represent growth and life.
"Having one in your office brings some of the natural world in and can invite some kindness and warmth in the work life," says Cho. "In general, you can lean towards soft heart-shaped leaves."
Try placing a plant in the corner of the room like A Beautiful Mess does in this space, or you can even go for a smaller succulent on your desk.
RELATED: 14 Good Luck Plants That Will Bring Positive Energy to Your Home
Add a fun light fixture.
Here, The Handmade Home adds several lighting sources — like the overhead pendant and sconces on the wall — to create optimal lighting conditions. Feng shui designer Reiko Gomez of Reiko Home says this sort of customization is a good idea: "To add some personal style, you might also consider hanging a fun light fixture over the desk, or elegant wall sconces on the wall to create a more attractive environment."
Decorate with art you love.
Claudat recommends decorating your office space with art that inspires you. "This might be a screen background on your computer or art on the wall facing you. It is something you'll register in your mind all day long."
If there's not enough room to hang art right in front of you, borrow an idea from A Pretty Life in the Suburbs and place it on the wall behind you instead.
However, Claudat warns against clocks: "On a similar note, it's very helpful to remove clocks from the wall directly facing you so you aren't feeling time pressure or 'watching the clock.'"
RELATED: 6 Mistakes You're Making When Decorating Your Walls With Art
Consider yin-yang balance.
According to Gomez, there are a few ways you can think about balance in your office — one of them being firm versus delicate items.
"For example, an office with a modern glass desk and metal file cabinets would benefit from a plush rug and velvet drapes. By adding soft flourishes to a space that contains many hard elements, a comfortable balance is struck," she says.
Here, The Home I Create pairs the firm with the delicate, using a fluffy chair with soft throw pillows to offset the hard features of the space.
Let your personality shine.
It's no surprise that personalization plays a key role in how you feel in your office space. Take inspiration from A Beautiful Mess and choose rugs, art and accessories that bring a sense of comfort.
"Personalize your office or workspace as much as possible, even (and especially) if it's a cubicle or open seating," says Claudat. "Photos, your favorite pens, your favorite snacks, momentos — they help you feel more rooted in your office, settled and 'at home.'"
Declutter the entry.
Reiko suggests taking a look a your office from the entrance to see if it's open and uncluttered. Here, Tidbits & Company creates a clear pathway into and out of the office: "This allows Qi energy to flow easily into the space, bringing wealth and new opportunities," says Gomez.
Make sure you're comfortable.
A comfortable chair is key for an office layout with good feng shui. "A high-back chair is the most supportive," says Cho.
If you're sitting in the same spot most days of the week for multiple hours at a time, you should definitely make sure you have the back support you need. One of our editors tried the viral TikTok criss-cross chair (similar to the one in this office by DIY in Progress) and fell in love with how comfortable it is.
RELATED: 11 Best Office Chairs You Should Buy on Amazon ASAP
Hang a mirror.
Although traditional feng shui suggests facing the door when you're sitting, that's not always possible, especially at an assigned desk. Claudat has a solution if you're unable to change the orientation of your desk.
"If you do sit with your back to the door, put a mirror on the wall beside you — or on your desk — to prevent you from getting startled if people walk into your office," she says.
Plus, mirrors also add personality to a space. Jenny Johnston of Jenny Johnston Interiors chose one that adds texture and character to this at-home office.
Photo by: Sarah Baker
Opt for curved over pointed surfaces.
While designing an office for a client, Gomez encountered a challenge: "There was a sharply pointed corner which jutted out from the wall right where we wanted to put the desk. This corner would be at her back as she sat at the desk. In feng shui, this is called a 'poison arrow.' To remedy this, I had the pointed wall curved. It turned this area into a comfortable and supportive space to work."
Gomez also opted for a curved desk so her client could easily see out the window while still being in the commanding or power position.
Perfect the lighting.
If you work in an office space outside your home, you don't always have access to the natural light pictured in this space by Style by Emily Henderson. Luckily, if you don't happen to be seated near a window, you can still create an office space that boosts your wellbeing with artificial light.
"I recommend getting a full spectrum desk light to keep the colors more clear and crisp in your workspace," says Claudat. "In my experience, I find full spectrum light to be a big mood-booster."
Add more seating.
Sitting in the same desk chair all day can get a bit uncomfortable. In this space, Tatertots and Jello adds a cozy spot near the window to change up the scenery.
"In addition to a good sized desk, if you have the space, I also recommend a comfortable sofa or armchair in the room," says Gomez. "This is a nice change from the upright seating of a desk chair, and it makes for a more relaxed space for a meeting, to read documents or have a phone call."
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