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My Perfect Space: Clearing the Clutter

This column is designed to help all women (because we are all working…no?) define, create and live the Feng Shui Lifestyle. What does THAT mean? Feng Shui translates into wind and water. The entire purpose of Feng Shui is to live in harmony with nature. As we are, that encompasses the nature out-of-doors, our living space and our working space. Let’s get started to see how you can attract the life you desire by being energized and balanced by the spaces you are living and working in…

In the last column we discussed the first step in creating a home out of your house. How did we do on clearing clutter? Hopefully, you’ve made some progress and are feeling emotionally lighter and your space is more open!

The second step, after clearing clutter in your space, is to start to set your space up to be open and flowing…easy to move around in and inviting. We are going to address the three most important rooms in your house: the master bedroom, the living room and the kitchen.

The master bedroom is vital to you and your health. There are only 3 uses for the master bedroom: sleep, intimacy, rest. If you are using your bedroom as your office (laptop in bed…anyone?), a TV room (Lost…anyone?), or any other use that isn’t sleeping, intimacy or dressing, then get ready to roll up your sleeves! Why don’t we want to have our bedroom be a multi-purpose room? Are you in a relationship? If you are, that space is mutually your space to sleep, enjoy intimacy together, and dress. It is not the business hub of your ventures. By having work stuff in your bedroom, you are bringing work into the home environment to a whole to level, and you need to move it into the dining area or living area if you are unable to have a dedicated office room. Make a dedicated office “space” if you don’t have a full room to use…and keep it clean and organized, just not in your bedroom!

It is important to have balance in your bedroom. Be sure to have a nightstand on either side of your bed with lamps on each. They don’t necessarily have to match, but they should be close in size. Try to keep your nightstand free from clutter, and ideally put your alarm clock as far away from your head as possible. The nightstand is a great place to put something symbolic of your relationship or of your desire to find the perfect relationship. We will discuss ideal placement in a later column. Minimize the amount of furniture you have in your room, keep it simple and as open as possible. Ideally, do not have your head against the wall where your door is…and be sure you have a headboard on your bed frame. Headboards are symbolic of support, very important to have in relationships!

The living room is the social hub of your home. This room needs to be open and inviting for everyone. Furniture placement is important here, as you don’t want to create a closed off space if possible. Position pieces so that you are not creating furniture hallways…the goal is to design a cozy and social space. Bring in the five elements to balance the space as well, Earth (tile, brick, stones, ceramic, pottery), Fire (candles, animal figurines), Water (glass, fountains), Wood (plants, furniture), Metal (furniture, lamps, art).

The kitchen is the heart of the home. This is the source of nutrition, health, connections. The kitchen has a lot of Fire (electrical/gas appliances) and Water (sinks, ice makers, dishwashers), so it is important to balance out Metal (appliance covers), Wood (cupboards), and Earth (tile/granite floors and counters). Minimize clutter on the counters, unplug and store small appliances when not in use (will reduce electricity use), store knives in a drawer (preferred) or on a magnetic strip attached to the wall, and incorporate small plants to fill in corners and attract Ch’i. If you have space above your cupboards before the ceiling, carefully incorporate viney plants, beautiful pottery, whimsical sculptures and white rope lights to create a unique and balanced design.

Dana T. Duellman is an alchemist for your home. As a Realtor she helps her buyer clients find the perfect home or helps her seller clients welcome the perfect buyer. As a Feng Shui Practitioner of Interior Alignment, she creates a home for your soul…a space for love, creativity, family and friends and most importantly JOY! You can learn more about Dana at www.myperfectspace.com, or send her an email at Dana@myperfectspace.com