10 Apartment Feng Shui Tips to Create the Perfect Urban Oasis
April 23, 2019
In an ideal world, your apartment isn’t just the place you crash after work—it’s a bona fide urban oasis. But in the real world (you know, the one where you’ve got several roommates, a teeny bedroom, and one shared closet), creating a haven of zen isn’t always straightforward.
Don’t fret: These 10 easy-breezy tips for improving your apartment’s feng shui are adaptable to even the smallest and most cramped of living spaces. Because you don’t need to be a practiced meditator to know that a clean and comfortable space just feels right.
1. LET THERE BE LIGHT: Glaring overhead lights: not a good look, as far as apartment feng shui is concerned. Instead, make your at-home illumination about desk lamps, floor lamps, strings of lights, and candles, which you can place at different points throughout your room. While you’re at it, opt for smart Philips Hue LED bulbs, which modulate their hue throughout the day to ensure your environment remains serene.
Image courtesy of Philips
2. COLOR THEORY: Speaking of hues, most feng shui experts recommend blues and neutral colors in lieu of anything bold and brassy. If your lease forbids you from giving your pad a fresh lick of paint, browse the offerings at Tempaper instead, which specializes in design-led, peel-and-remove wallpaper that won’t damage your walls.
Image courtesy of www.tempaperdesigns.com
3. SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN: Getting your apartment feng shui right is a multi-sensory endeavor; it’s no good if your bedroom looks stylish but reeks of gym socks. Tackle any errant odors with Muji’s ultrasonic aroma diffuser, which doubles as a sleek lamp, has four settings, and uses only essential oils and water. Pick a scent like lavender for peak relaxation.
Image courtesy of Muji
4. GREEN THINGS: Can’t bring a pet into your apartment? A plant is a good place to start—especially because they add pretty pops of vibrancy while simultaneously freshening up your air. Get started with this guide to the care and keeping of houseplants, from choosing the right plants for your light to avoiding over- or under-watering.
5. THE GREAT OUTDOORS: In fact, bringing the outside in is a winning strategy when it comes to zen-centric interior design. Scavenge for driftwood, collect seashells or stones, suspend pretty branches from the ceiling, or display thrifted coral pieces for a soothing, natural touch.
6. CLUTTER KILLER: It may sound obvious, but you simply can’t have a calm apartment environment with piles of stuff everywhere. There are different ways to tackle clutter, from the much-hyped KonMari Method (do your possessions spark joy?) to simply making your bed each morning and vowing to keep your surfaces clear. From closet organization to bookshelf space, we’ve got a few tips of our own to help get you started.
7. HIDE YOUR CORDS: It’s one thing home inspiration boards on Pinterest all seem to have in common: In those oh-so-stylish interior shots, you won’t find any unsightly cords or electronics. And while it seems like a small detail, hiding the tangle of wires that lives around your desk can have a big impact on your room’s vibe. From disguising your router in decorative boxes to tucking your power strip inside a desk drawer, here are some clever options.
8. MIRROR MIRROR OFF THE WALL: While many interior designers suggest adding mirrors to your room to make the space feel bigger, feng shui experts disagree: Too many mirrors, they say, causes energy to bounce fretfully around your space. Instead, trade all but the most essential reflective surfaces for clean walls and statement art pieces. (Psst: Use these resources to score affordable artworks.)
9. SOFT SPOTS: Lucky enough to have wood floors? They may be beautiful, but they can also be hard and cold without a bit of insulation. Lay down a stylish statement rug or two to ensure your place feels like the comfy-cozy nest it should be.
10. KILL YOUR CURTAINS: It might be bad news for night owl types, but if you can bear it, swapping out your blackout curtains for some gauzy window treatments not only lets in light—always a feng shui plus—but also helps you greet the day the way nature intended.
Those are our favorites, but there’s always room for improvement! Tell us how you make the most of your space in the comments.
1. LET THERE BE LIGHT: Glaring overhead lights: not a good look, as far as apartment feng shui is concerned. Instead, make your at-home illumination about desk lamps, floor lamps, strings of lights, and candles, which you can place at different points throughout your room. While you’re at it, opt for smart Philips Hue LED bulbs, which modulate their hue throughout the day to ensure your environment remains serene.
Image courtesy of Philips
2. COLOR THEORY: Speaking of hues, most feng shui experts recommend blues and neutral colors in lieu of anything bold and brassy. If your lease forbids you from giving your pad a fresh lick of paint, browse the offerings at Tempaper instead, which specializes in design-led, peel-and-remove wallpaper that won’t damage your walls.
Image courtesy of www.tempaperdesigns.com
3. SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN: Getting your apartment feng shui right is a multi-sensory endeavor; it’s no good if your bedroom looks stylish but reeks of gym socks. Tackle any errant odors with Muji’s ultrasonic aroma diffuser, which doubles as a sleek lamp, has four settings, and uses only essential oils and water. Pick a scent like lavender for peak relaxation.
Image courtesy of Muji
4. GREEN THINGS: Can’t bring a pet into your apartment? A plant is a good place to start—especially because they add pretty pops of vibrancy while simultaneously freshening up your air. Get started with this guide to the care and keeping of houseplants, from choosing the right plants for your light to avoiding over- or under-watering.
5. THE GREAT OUTDOORS: In fact, bringing the outside in is a winning strategy when it comes to zen-centric interior design. Scavenge for driftwood, collect seashells or stones, suspend pretty branches from the ceiling, or display thrifted coral pieces for a soothing, natural touch.
6. CLUTTER KILLER: It may sound obvious, but you simply can’t have a calm apartment environment with piles of stuff everywhere. There are different ways to tackle clutter, from the much-hyped KonMari Method (do your possessions spark joy?) to simply making your bed each morning and vowing to keep your surfaces clear. From closet organization to bookshelf space, we’ve got a few tips of our own to help get you started.
7. HIDE YOUR CORDS: It’s one thing home inspiration boards on Pinterest all seem to have in common: In those oh-so-stylish interior shots, you won’t find any unsightly cords or electronics. And while it seems like a small detail, hiding the tangle of wires that lives around your desk can have a big impact on your room’s vibe. From disguising your router in decorative boxes to tucking your power strip inside a desk drawer, here are some clever options.
8. MIRROR MIRROR OFF THE WALL: While many interior designers suggest adding mirrors to your room to make the space feel bigger, feng shui experts disagree: Too many mirrors, they say, causes energy to bounce fretfully around your space. Instead, trade all but the most essential reflective surfaces for clean walls and statement art pieces. (Psst: Use these resources to score affordable artworks.)
9. SOFT SPOTS: Lucky enough to have wood floors? They may be beautiful, but they can also be hard and cold without a bit of insulation. Lay down a stylish statement rug or two to ensure your place feels like the comfy-cozy nest it should be.
10. KILL YOUR CURTAINS: It might be bad news for night owl types, but if you can bear it, swapping out your blackout curtains for some gauzy window treatments not only lets in light—always a feng shui plus—but also helps you greet the day the way nature intended.
Those are our favorites, but there’s always room for improvement! Tell us how you make the most of your space in the comments.
