Creative Storage Idea -- Feng Shui Friday!

Storage can happen in unexpected places.  Especially if you are dealing with city-living when there is not much storage space.

Today's Feng Shui Friday discusses just that.   

A fan who lives in funky cool loft in Montreal asked:  
In a space with little, to NO storage, which part of the bagua is the best place to store stuff?

Here is an example. 
Since I only have a very small closet, I have a pretty awesome collection of vintage trunks, 
I use them to store things I need (and yes, i try not to keep anything I don't use!)
but that I don't need daily.
Is it okay to use these trunks?

(Source)  Here's a fun example that would be GREAT in the Helpful People/Travel section!

All I have to say is:  GENIUS!  Getting creative with you storage issues will make you feel much happier in your space.  In these cases, a pile of suitcases doubles as a table and some secret storage for the things you don't need every day.

Ahh, white...make it your own personal style!  (Source)

Be warned though:  that that is the key -- use this idea ONLY for things you don't need every day!

Remember when organizing and storing, you want to prioritize.  If you drink tea every morning, you aren't going to put your favorite tea cup on a shelf where you have to use a stool to get to it right?  No!  You're going to have it in the front, in the handiest spot ever.

Same notion with ALL of your items.

(The "priority system" was taught to me by my brilliant teacher, Sharon Stasney.  Her book Feng Shui for Work Spaces goes into depth about it and is a great read.)

Mentally label items as Priority 1, Priority 2, or Priority 3 and then place the *1 items in the handiest, easy-to-get-to spots, the *2 items in the next easiest places, and then the *3 items in places such as these trunks, where you may have to remove the decorations on top to get to it.  Ideas might include crafting projects and art supplies that you only use every so often, or perhaps your off-season clothes.  Brilliant, right?

The suitcase storage idea, with its stacks, is definitely a priority 3 area.  Heck, you can even store your tax documents in there!

And to answer her first question...about the bagua -- the answer is not so clear-cut.  You just want to pay attention to WHAT you are storing WHERE.  For example, if your love life bites, and you have a bunch of old photographs from your first marriage stored in the Romance section, guess what!  Not a good idea!  Similarly, if you are feel stuck in your Career and you have a ton of glue stored in your Career section, please move to your art section!  (Kind of kidding on that last one, but you get the idea.)

Got it?  Other than that, whatever makes sense aesthetically and logically should be okay as far as WHERE storage should be in the bagua.  

Another great question from an awesome gal!

Feel free to email me with YOUR feng shui questions and I may just choose it for Friday's discussion.  katierogersfengshui@gmail.com

Cheers!  Enjoy the weekend!

Exposed Beams -- Shui or Not Too Shui?

It seems like every grand home these days has exposed beams.  I'm not sure when this came on trend, but it. is. everywhere!

For Feng Shui Friday, someone sent me this pic with the message:  "Is this bad fung shei?  Beams on walls - bedrooms - I love the look!!"  

Here's the thing:  in general, exposed beams are NOT good feng shui.

I know, I know -- it's cool-looking, it's pretty, everybody likes it.  Everybody's doing it.

But see below -- these beams have a sharp, dagger-like feel, pointing straight down. Nobody's going to be sitting on those sofas for very long!

Source

The truth is there are instances where trendy, pretty, funky, and fun, and what's in vogue in the design world are not the best feng shui.  Beams are one of them.

Here's why:  They are big and heavy and very prominent in a room (or in the above case, sharp), accentuating the big, heavy, and prominent (or sharp).   Therefore, to our cavemen brain (which is still very much affecting us), they have an oppressive feeling, especially if you are sitting or sleeping under them.  It is a subtle and subconscious thing, but you will feel like "something is hanging over your head" or you've got something "bearing down on you."

This bedroom is especially tricky because the beams are over the bed!  And look -- it's splitting the bed down the middle.  This could signify a "split" in the romantic relationship going on here.

Source

Yikes, and look at this one!  It draws attention to the slanted ceilings.  Please don't!

So what do you do if you have beams?  Like most everything in feng shui, there are cures.
1.  Bamboo flutes.  This is the traditional cure.  Go here for instructions.
2.  Hang a very large round-faceted crystal on the most damaging beam where people congregate or sleep below.  This will help disperse the offending chi.
3.  Paint the beams the same color as the ceiling to make them "disappear."
4.  Remodel to have them covered!
5.  Use fabric to soften the blow.

I hope I didn't crush any hearts with this post, because I know that people love their beams!  But trust me when I say that your subconscious will thank me if you do these easy cures.  Just try it and see if a sense of relief washes over your life.

After all, no one wants to feel weighted down!