Office Feng Shui: Quick Tips for Enhancing Productivity and Improving Satisfaction

Feng shui is a traditional Chinese practice that arranges objects, furniture and buildings to promote harmony and balance in an environment. Literally translating to “wind” (feng) and “water” (shui), the concept dates as far back as the early Zhou dynasty, between 1046 and 256 BCE.

Although seen as an ancient art form, feng shui is still being practised today. What first originated from Taoism has since spread throughout Chinese culture as well as other cultures. One of the main reasons for its popularity is that feng shui isn’t based on superstition alone, but rather observes and casts a light on how we, as humans, interact with a given space. 

Feng shui is greatly adopted to achieve stability and success at places of work. 

What Are the Elements of Feng Shui?

Feng shui is governed by five elements. The practice sees that the world is divided into these components, of which they also make one of the integral principles of feng shui, alongside chi (breath, or life force) and bagua (an energy map that evaluates the energy of your space).

Below are the five elements of feng shui that will help you better understand and navigate optimising your office: 

• Earth: The earth element represents strength and stability. It is characterised by weight and appeal. Its colours include yellow, orange and brown. Earth can also be depicted with imagery of mountains, rocks and terrain. 
• Fire: The fire element is strong, bold and passionate. It can facilitate inspiration and transformation. Invite fire with red, orange and pink tones; or candles, lamps and sunlight. 
• Metal: The metal element embodies focus, order, and above all, efficiency. Enhance your clarity of thought with the sharp and keen attributes of metal, shown by white, silver and gold. 
• Water: The water element is about emotions and intuition. Water can calm and smooth the path for spiritual growth. Incorporate this element into your space by introducing wave-like patterns, blue tones, or water features. 
• Wood: The wood element symbolises flexibility, creativity and growth. Plants and natural hues, like green and brown, epitomise these qualities. Wooden furniture and items work just as well. 

Keeping in mind and balancing these five elements, earth, fire, metal, water, and wood, can help to create a more feng shui-friendly environment for productivity and well-being. 

Below, we list some quick tips to transform your office with feng shui:

Position Your Desk Opposite from the Door

The power position is a fundamental aspect of feng shui. Also known as the “dragon seat”, this position requires the desk to be placed across from the room’s entrance. This spot should allow for an unobstructed view of the door while being positioned furthest from it. It is said that this commanding position fosters control and opportunities through its vantage point. 

Reposition Sharp Angles

Sharp angles have a bad rap in feng shui because they are believed to be the source of negative energy. It’s impossible to completely eliminate sharp angles, so consider repositioning or softening their damaging effects instead. Face angular furniture away so they don’t face you directly when working. Alternatively, intercept the “poison arrows” with the introduction of barriers such as wind chimes, mirrors or partitions. 

Find and Activate the Wealth Corner

The wealth corner is situated in the leftmost corner of your office from the doorway. You can also refer to the bagua map to coordinate it with the rest of the areas. The wealth corner can be activated with purple items, or better yet, the amethyst crystal. Having a wealth corner in an office can attract success for your business endeavours. 

Invest in a Good Desk

Feng shui philosophy states that wooden desks are ideal due to their resilient and renewing properties. Similarly, metal desks can be a compelling second option as they offer organisation and focus. If customising your desk is an option, the right colours can also contribute to a more harmonious setup. Warm wood tones such as brown are associated with earth (grounding, strength) while darker ones like black pertain to water (wisdom, power). 

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Rely on a Comfortable Chair

As much as it’s about ergonomics, feng shui dictates that a strong backing is critical for support and protection. Build a working space with adequate physical support by choosing an office chair that encourages comfort and reduces pressure, such as one with lumbar support and a headrest. Then, reinforce with spiritual support by orienting your workspace, so that at the desk, your back is facing the wall. You can gain additional support by hanging up a photo of a mountain or setting up some potted plants behind you. These aspects help to generate the backing that strengthens an efficient, productive and nurturing workspace. 

Invite Positive Energy with Plants

Nature, notably living plants, are great in the office for several reasons. For one, they enliven the office by infusing the environment with a sense of vitality. On the other hand, they also symbolise growth, and even improve air quality. Indoor houseplants planted in soil represent wood and earth, and their need for water points to the water element. Add feng shui plants like jade plant, snake plant, rubber plant or bamboo to boost health and good luck at the workplace. 

Utilise Natural Light

Natural light influences positive moods and decreases stress levels. The reverse is true for artificial light, which can cause health problems like fatigue, headaches and eye strain when too harsh or dim. In feng shui, taking advantage of natural light streaming in from windows enhances well-being and helps with our balance of chi. Moreover, position your desk near windows, but not directly facing them, as you may get distracted or lose energy through their opening. 

Selecting the Right Colours

Designing and arranging your office according to the five elements of feng shui enables you to harmonise their distinctive attributes. Incorporating a blend of colours, shapes and materials inspired by earth, fire, metal, water and wood ensures a balanced energy flow, preventing any single element from becoming excessively dominant and causing imbalance. In the office, selecting comfortable colours that invite focus, mental clarity and creativity is especially important. Generally, neutral or softer tones are preferred as they promote a calming ambiance without sacrificing professionalism or personality. 

Final Thoughts

In summary, involving the principles of feng shui in your office design can greatly enhance productivity, satisfaction and overall well-being. From positioning your desk in the power position to activating the wealth corner and investing in supportive furniture, each step contributes to a workspace that fosters efficiency and success. 

At MyDesk.sg, we hold a strong conviction that individuals, whether working or schooling, should prioritise enhancing their comfort and thus, their performance to achieve success. Be it leveraging Chinese metaphysics or relying on proven ergonomic knowledge, we believe in leaving no stone unturned when it comes to boosting your capabilities. 

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