The transition from summer to fall is one of the more dramatic periods of change in the year. The arrival of crisp air and the changing colors make it the perfect time to address and refresh your home's energy by introducing fall Feng Shui practices into your home.
Experts say the principles of Feng Shui can help you create a harmonious and balanced living space that embraces the energy around us, so seasonal transitions are the perfect time to edit our homes to welcome new energy in and let go of negativity from summer.
Here, they talk us through how to use Feng Shui in your home in fall, and explain why it may have a dramatic impact on your energy in the new season.
How to Feng Shui your home for fall
Feng Shui can be incorporated into your home through a number of different methods, including specific Feng Shui furniture placement, but there are some important specifics to get right when the weather turns colder.
1. Embrace warm and earthy tones
According to interior designer Elizabeth Grace, one way to Feng Shui your home for fall is by incorporating earthy colors as part of the decor.
Adding warm colors like deep browns, rich oranges, and warm yellows creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere that resonates with the season. These colors connect your home with the grounding energy of the earth and evoke a sense of comfort while also increasing your prosperity, she says.
She adds, 'To truly embrace the season, this can be achieved by adding traditional fall decor such as foliage, pumpkins, or other seasonal decorations to your home.' This is also easily achievable by changing up your home decor for a less in-your-face look, too.
Marie Diamond, Feng Shui master and bestselling author of Your Home Is a Vision Board (at Amazon) adds, 'Orange ignites fresh ideas and boosts motivation for new projects. This vibrant color inspires enthusiasm for life and seasonal changes. Adding orange accents like throw pillows or candles can fuel your creative energy.
'Pro tip, place orange accents in the south area of your home to enhance fame and recognition, perfect for growing your social media presence or launching a new venture.'
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2. Rearrange your furniture
Feng Shui expert Victor Cheung knows the importance of creating good feng shui in your home when approaching life changes, such as that of a changing season. ‘It brings about a sense of balance and tranquility that resonates with the changing energies.
'During the fall you should place furniture in a way that encourages conversation and interaction while also allowing for easy movement throughout the space,' he suggests. This is especially important as the weather cools down and we move our hosting indoors.
An easy way to do this is to place the furniture in a circular or semi-circular layout to foster a harmonious flow of energy, ensuring that there is still space to walk between and around each piece to keep energy moving freely.
3. Enhance natural light
Where there is light, there is good energy, Feng Shui experts believe. When it comes to fall, maximizing natural light is a necessity, especially as the days shorten and the skies become greyer in parts, reminds Punteha van Terheyden, head of solved at Homes & Gardens.
She says, 'Open curtains and blinds throughout the day to let in sunlight, which symbolizes clarity and positive energy. By strategically placing round mirrors, like this one from Wayfair, to reflect and amplify the warm glow of fall sunsets, too,' she suggests, 'just be sure to stick to the Feng Shui mirror rules to avoid bouncing positive energy back out of the door.'
If you make these deliberate adjustments, you will transform your living space into a haven that embraces the fall and nurtures positive energy.
4. Balance Yin and Yang energies
In the tumultuous transition between summer and fall, it can help to balance the Yin and Yang energies in your space to help maintain order. Yin energy is associated with calmness and relaxation, helping you transition smoothly into the cooler months, while Yang energy represents activity and stimulation, symbolizing the joy yet to come with the upcoming holidays.
It helps to create a balance between these energies by incorporating both calming and energizing elements in your home. Incorporate both soothing, tranquil elements such as warm tones and decor channeling the water element, with dynamic, vibrant accents to strike the right balance and embrace the changing energies of the season.
These organically shaped warm toned bowls help channel the water element in a way that still screams 'fall'
With five color options ranging from warm to cool tones, these cushion covers are perfect for evoking the yin and yang energies around your home
With cool green-blue tones, these smooth sculptural vases are perfect for incorporating the relaxing water element into your home in a practical way
5. Declutter the space
Decluttering before fall is important to keep a tidy home in the changing seasons, but cleaning our clutter can also help to improve your home's Chi, reminds Daniel Ulfland, founder of Flitch, an online interior styling platform.
He shares, 'When aiming to create a more positive home environment, it's important to consider both what you add and what you remove. Start by decluttering and removing items that no longer serve a purpose or bring you joy. This can include broken items, withered plants, or objects associated with negative memories.'
For any essential items that add to visual clutter, invest in quality storage baskets to keep them tucked away yet easy to access so they do not impact your energy.
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6. Avoid mirrors across from doors
Hanging hallway mirrors is second nature. They help us to check our apperance before we leave and often help to brighten up darker, smaller spaces especialy in fall. However, Daniel Ulfland, designer, warns us to be careful where we place them, lest we bounce the positive energies that come with the change in seasons right back out the door.
He says, 'In Feng Shui, mirrors are believed to attract positive energy, or 'chi'. Practitioners suggest hanging mirrors on north or east walls, facing south or west. However, you should avoid placing mirrors facing doors or windows as they can reflect the positive energy that enters thorugh your door back out again.'
Instead, when decorating with mirrors, hang them off to one side, preferably behind the door when it opens.
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7. Cleanse the air
After you have cleaned and decluttered your home, the final step to Feng Shui your home for fall is to clear the stale summer energy out of your space. While there are several ways you can do this, Daniel Ulfland, designer, recommends cleansing a house with sage.
He explains, 'Burning sage, also known as ‘smudging’, is an ancient practice believed to cleanse spaces of negative energy. This tradition is thought to have prehistoric origins but today is still used worldwide. Some associate sage with wisdom and increased spiritual awareness.
'For those interested in trying this practice, it's suggested to open doors and windows before lighting the sage, use the smoke to cleanse your hands, before moving around your home to cleanse the air.'
Smudging is a deeply spiritual practice, and you should aim to source your white sage from reputable sources to protect the often indigenous communities that produce it and their land. Alternatively, use loose sage that you bundle yourself to reduce waste and ensure it is not overharvested.
If you want to avoid using sage for ethical reasons, consider practices such as blowing cinnamon on your front door, or cleansing a house with salt instead.
Incorporating Feng Shui for fall does not need a major redesign; rather, it is about making intentional decisions that promote positive energy flow by embracing the natural elements of the season.
You can also use essential oils with warm and grounding scents, such as cinnamon, clove, and cedarwood, to help achieve this, as your home fragrance can affect feng shui as much as your layout. Diffusing these aromas can enhance the overall atmosphere and promote a sense of comfort and balance.
