Feng Shui for your desk placement

Bricksnwall Trusted Experts

It wasn't that long ago that an office was a room with four walls and a door, a desk, a filing cabinet, some family photos, a computer, and sometimes a plant on the windowsill.

However, things are swiftly changing. More and more employees are working from home, travelling as digital nomads with laptops in their backpacks, sharing office spaces in co-working environments, and even sharing desks in hybrid workplaces.

Adaptation is crucial. Even the most adaptive office workers can become stressed out by these changes. That is why some employees have turned to Feng Shui.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and philosophy centred on energy flow. When used in an office setting, it can make a significant difference in generating a calmer, more productive environment.

This article describes how to apply a Feng Shui office layout to add balance to an office environment, including home offices and shared office spaces.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui, which translates to "wind-water" in English, is an age-old Chinese philosophical system that deals with natural principles as they manifest in our lives.

It's been around for at least three millennia and has become intricately woven into the tapestry of Chinese history as a guiding principle for people to live in harmony with their surroundings.

Feng Shui is a vast theory, thus we can't cover everything in this short post. But first, let's look at a few simple notions for improving energy flow in the office.

Chi

Feng Shui works on a central energy known as Chi (also written as Qi). Chi is the vital life force that permeates all living things. This is the same energy that people use when practicing T'ai Chi, Qi-gong, or breathing exercises.

You may be familiar with the notion of Yin and Yang. Yin represents the passive, frigid, feminine side of life, whereas Yang represents the energetic, warm, masculine side.

Together, they control the flow of Chi. When Chi is in balance and there is no excess in either direction, the natural world is harmonious and balanced, and Chi's essential force may flow smoothly through space.

The Five Elements

Similar to the four Western elements (fire, air, water, and earth), Feng Shui is based on five essential components that regulate nature: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

Each of these factors has a distinct role in shaping the energy in the environment around us. Consider them the fundamental building components of the universe, influencing everything from nature to our moods and health.

The Bagua: Mapping the Energy of Space

So, how can you use these factors to direct energy flow in a specific space? That's where the Bagua comes in—a kind of Feng Shui GPS.

The Bagua is an octagonal grid used to map and analyse the energy of a given area. It depicts eight sections or "guas" that correspond to various elements of life in relation to the Five Elements.

The eight guas are listed below:

Wealth and Prosperity

Fame and Reputation

Love and Relationships

Family & Health

Children and Creativity

Knowledge and Wisdom

Career and Life Path

The Bagua's ninth region denotes health and well-being. The Yin-Yang sign is also frequently seen there.

To use the Bagua, place the grid on a floor plan of your current space, aligning the bottom edge with the main entrance. This defines which sections of the space represent which facets of life.

For example, if you overlay the Bagua on your complete home floor plan and the Love & Relationships gua falls in a corner of your living room, it's a good idea to place artefacts that represent love and passion there.

Next, we'll look at how to apply these concepts to your office arrangement. But first, let's look at the advantages of implementing Feng Shui at work. Also, feel free to browse other interesting workplace designs here.

The advantages of a Feng Shui office layout

Feng Shui may transform your environment, whether you work from home or in an office. It allows you to change your office into a source of positive energy.

Imagine a desk where your energy flows freely, allowing you to be in a better mood and more creative.

Consider calming colours and tastefully placed plants to not only beautify your environment but also relieve tension.

With a Feng Shui workplace arrangement, you can even replace midday slumps with a steady spike in productivity.

In brief, Feng Shui may help you transform your office into a haven of harmony and efficiency. What's not to appreciate about that?

Feng Shui for Office Space

Given these advantages, let's look at some Feng Shui principles that are particularly useful for office environments.

It all starts with the "command position."

Determining the Command Position for Your Desk

The Command or Power position is linked to the Career and Life Path gua. This is where you'll place your desk. The perfect workstation placement provides a commanding perspective of the room, allowing you to see anybody who arrives.

The ideal situation is to have a strong wall behind you and a clear view of the room door. A well-placed command position provides a sense of control, safety, stability, and foresight.

Positioning Chairs and Computers

It is also crucial to consider how you arrange your desk chair. Ideally, you should face the door, but if that is not possible, never turn your back on it. Use a supportive, comfy chair, and make sure you have a solid supporting wall behind you.

Avoid placing your computer near a window, as this can produce glare.

The Importance of Natural Light

Natural light improves people's vitality and mood, making it invaluable in Feng Shui. In fact, current research reveals that office lighting can have a significant impact on employee satisfaction, attentiveness, comfort, and safety.

Large windows or properly positioned mirrors can assist increase natural light levels. Here's a detailed post about the finest office lighting alternatives.

Plants, Decorative Items, Water Fountains, and Feng Shui Colours

Plants can filter the air and provide growth vitality to the room.

Rather than cluttering the area with random objects, carefully select a few attractive Feng Shui artefacts that represent your goals — and leave enough of space for Chi energy to flow around them.

A little water fountain, for example, can be pleasant and relaxing.

Avoid strong, startling colours. To promote calm and concentration, choose soothing Feng Shui workplace colours such as blues, greens, or earthy browns or beiges.

Feng Shui Tips for Shared Offices

You might be wondering, what about shared office spaces? And how do you implement Feng Shui concepts if you're a hybrid worker with a flex desk that you don't own?

Let's go into some solutions.

Good Feng Shui solutions for shared office spaces

If you're sharing an office, the first step is to ensure that the room has clear walkways.

If possible, situate the workstations centrally so that both employees have a clear view of the entryway.

Avoid being exactly in line with one another or with the door; this is known as the "death position" in Feng Shui and can cause emotions of vulnerability.

In addition, choose plants that you both enjoy, particularly those that filter the air. Another useful addition is a water feature in the centre of the room to provide a tranquil atmosphere and reduce stress.

If the space is large enough, you may even utilise open bookshelves or plants as natural barriers to create semi-private areas for yourself without interfering with the flow of Chi.