Feng Shui is the oriental art of balance. It takes elements of nature and geometry to formulate the perfect flow of energy and light. This energy -- Qi (Chi) -- is essential to the Feng Shui formula. It is said that any space following the art of Feng Shui, will provide inner healing, feelings of well-being, energy and harmony.
Feng shui is used in everything floral design to landscaping -- but did you know that you could also use Feng Shui to balance your laundry room
For centuries, interior decorators and architects used Feng Shui in palaces, places of worship, homes, offices and even spas, but lately the practice has become popular in room design. Laundry rooms by tradition are damp, dark and drab. They're usually in a basement or a room without windows, so there's no flowing air or light. This can cause you to feel quite depressed when entering your laundry room, but with a few quick tips, it could soon become the most comforting room in your home.Let's begin with wall colors and accessories.
Color
Color plays a huge role in the way you feel. According to experts in the field of Color Psychology, certain colors can provoke mood and action. Every known culture on the planet holds a certain significance to specific colors. In America, blue is a color that provokes feelings of calm, whereas in Europe it is green. In Feng Shui, the color wheel provides an outline of colors and the feelings associated with them. Use this color wheel as a guide to choosing your wall and accent colors.
You can also use this color guideline to reassign your laundry room's purpose. If you want your room to give off a calm vibe, ditch the dark colors and move to paler colors in the spectrum.
Now that we've covered colors, let's talk textures.
Textures
In Feng Shui texture is very important. Textures and prints work together to create the perfect Zen. In living spaces, textured wallpaper and rugs offer just enough contrast to get the job done, but in a laundry room, these items can attract mold and mildew. So how would you add texture in your laundry room
Simple -- with accessories. Add plants of different sizes and shelves with textured lining to achieve the right feel. You can also replace your flooring with a natural stone floor that holds heat in the winter and cold in the summer. You'll have to add sealant if you choose this type of flooring in order to avoid mold.
Now on to storage.
Storage
Remember balance is the key to Feng Shui, and there can be no balance in a room full of boxes and bags. Reclaim your laundry room's balance by adding a few pieces of storage equipment. Storage chests, pantries and shelves expand your floor space and double as excellent hiding parcels for your clothes and laundry detergents. Remember the color and texture principal when choosing your storage pieces.
Lastly.
Choose the Right Appliances
When you revamp or create your Feng Shui laundry room, choose your appliances carefully. Do not purchase washers and dryers that take up more than one-third of your space. You need space to walk, fold and store. If you have a small laundry room, choose stackable washers and dryers and keep the colors light to give the illusion of space. If you have a large laundry room, choose stainless steel appliances to add a mirrored effect.
A quick note:
You can't do a whole lot about windows if your laundry room is in the basement, but if you do have a window, keep them free of clutter. Allow the light and air to freely flow in without obstruction. For this, you'll need blinds or curtains that can be pulled back easily.
There you have it! Here are a few pictures of laundry rooms that got it just right!
