Q&A Sunday: How Should I Lay Out My Therapy Office?

Anjie Cho October 6, 2019

I’ve just been assigned my first office, see attached floor plan with the current furniture layout. Help! How would you recommend I lay out this office, keeping in mind that I’m a psychiatrist and see patients here?

Stephanie C., Washington D.C.

Hi Stephanie!

Congrats on your new office! There are a few things to consider in laying out your office. Please see my suggested layout below.

Desk

Since this is your office, your desk is of the utmost importance, so we should try to locate it in the commanding position. Ideally, you would want it on the right back corner so that you’re not behind the swing of the door. However, I felt like the chairs in which you see patients are also important. The location on the left side is still OK. Because you’re in line with the door, you could place a feng shui crystal ball (available at the Holistic Spaces store here) in the line of qi, between the door and your desk.

Chairs

I mentioned earlier that because you are a psychiatrist and see patients in this office, it’s also important that you and your patients feel comfortable in this space. This is why I placed the chairs on the right side so they are not in the line of qi (in line with the door). But with the desk still further back in the office, spatially you’re still in the authoritative position near the back of the space.

Bookshelves

I put these in areas that you would easily be able to access and where there was room left. You could also consider that they’re located in the Knowledge and Relationship areas of the feng shui bagua map. In a sense, the books support your knowledge and skill to help your clients in their relationship with you and with the world.

Diplomas, Artwork, Plants

Diplomas above the desk area, placed in the Abundance area of the feng shui bagua map, support your wealth and self worth. The artwork can be placed so that both you and your patient have something lovely to look at while sitting in the chairs and at your desk. Plants all along the window sills can provide growth, support and kindness to support your prosperity, recognition and relationships.

Thanks again for this great question!

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

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Feng Shui Must-Haves for Your Living Room

Anjie Cho October 2, 2019

featured on The Spruce

Inviting Seating

There are a few approaches to arranging furniture with good feng shui in the living room.

First, you should ensure your home has comfortable seating. It makes a huge difference if everyone is cozy and relaxed. And it doesn't have to be just sofas and armchairs. You can create mini-spaces like a side table with some chairs.

Also, try to provide enough seating for everyone in the home with some extra for guests. Then, take the time to arrange the furniture so that when you sit you’re facing others. The idea is to encourage conversation. If possible, minimize any seats that have the back facing the door.

Also try out each spot to sit in your seating area to make sure it’s a comfortable place to linger and chat.

Living Green House Plants

One of the five elements in feng shui is wood. Wood invokes kindness, flexibility, and compassion.

Placement of well cared for living green plants bring the wood element into the living room where we connect with others. Plants also bring in vital life force energy and nature.

If possible, it’s best to select healthy plants with rounded and soft leaves. But, if there's a pointy plant you are attached to, like aloe, it's okay to keep around if you love it!

If you truly have no light in the living room, you can substitute real plants with fake ones. Keep in mind though, that your fake plants must be high quality and look very realistic

…read full article

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.

Dive deeper into feng shui to transform your life!

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Create sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

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Q&A Sunday: Using Colors in Your Space

Anjie Cho September 29, 2019

Hi Anjie, Love your podcasts and I am in need of your guidance again :) I am aware that using certain colors may affect the energy of the room...for example, we should avoid using colors that are too fiery/energetic for the bedroom. What about the color blue? As it's also a water element, would it have a negative impact if I use too much of it in my home? We are thinking of pale blue walls for our kitchen and bedroom.

Samantha C., Malaysia

Hi again, Samantha!

First thing, you need not necessarily avoid fiery/energetic colors in the bedroom. For instance, if a couple needs to spice things up, it may be helpful to use red or fire colors to invoke more passion. It may counteract that “I’m too tired, let’s go to bed” feeling. Also, someone who’s very depressed and lethargic may benefit from energetic colors like red or brighter greens and blues if they need an energy boost. It’s not always good to sleep your way through life, right?

But in general, the bedroom is a place for rest and regeneration, so blues and greens are great healing colors for the bedroom. It’s all about the shade, though. I think that pale blue is perfect for a bedroom. and also fine for a kitchen, especially if you want to lose weight. Images of the ocean are relaxing and are the water element, however light blue is not water in BTB feng shui. Water is black and dark blue.

One other thing to watch out for with the water images: water can also be depressing, dark and sinking, energetically. So if you or your partner has the tendency towards that, it would be best to have other sorts of images in the bedroom.

Too much water isn’t necessarily bad. For instance, I have a weak yin wood daymaster in my four pillars chart, so actually water really nourishes me. I live on the East River, and I love to vacation around water. And I’ve only lived in California and New York, on the coast near water. I absolutely love images of water and they really make me happy!

Taking care to use certain colors in your space can definitely be beneficial! Just be sure you also take into account the needs of people in your life who will be using each room. Different colors can cause different effects, but it always depends upon the person, just like feng shui!

by Anjie Cho