Feng Shui shows us that our environment influences our well-being. Children are uninhibited and open to all influences from their environment. A healthy, safe and joyful children's room supports your child in his or her development and growth. It will promote sleep, provide a quiet place to play or learn, and an overall genuine happy feeling.
With these tips you will enhance a positive energy flow in your child's room.
Because the functions of sleeping, playing and learning are intertwined in a children's room, it is a challenge to make this room completely Feng Shui. Different energies support the different functions of everyday life. If it is possible to use a room only as a bedroom, this is preferred. If not, define and visually divide the room by a rug or color areas on the wall that clearly delineate the different functions of the room.
1. Declutter and Organize for Free Flowing Energy
According to the Feng Shui philosophy everything is connected, which means we are the stuff we have. Take a look at your child's room and his belongings with this in mind. What do you see?
Clearing clutter is key to good Feng Shui. Children are often overwhelmed and distracted by too much stuff piled up in their room, leaving no space to play, to do homework, to read or simply to relax and sleep. Clutter has a negative and stagnating impact on the energy in the room because the energy can not flow freely. Avoid low energy and a feeling of chaos, unrest and dissatisfaction by clearing clutter and organizing your child's room, together with your child. Broken objects symbolize stagnant energy and bring you down on an unconscious level. It's time to fix it or let it go.
Organize the room in a way that is inviting for your child to play and can easily be transformed into an oasis of tranquility and calm when needed. This will lighten up the space and create a room where both play and sleep are supported. Provide a simple and clear storage system and make use of boxes and baskets that can be easily and quickly stored in a closed cupboard. Designate a home to all belongings and teach your child to put toys and books back where they belong, when they are done playing. When everything has a place, cleaning up is child's play.
Empower your child by teaching him the skills to tidy up his own room. Tidying is a skill that not only gives your child self-confidence and responsibility, but also teaches him appreciation and gratitude for his belongings. It supports your child's independence and ability to sense and determine what makes him happy. And at the same time you learn your child to let go of belongings that don't spark joy anymore or have served their purpose. A life skill that should not be underestimated.
Photo by pienheemstra.nl for MrMini
2. Command Position for a Safe Feeling
In Feng Shui the command position is applied by how you position certain furniture in a space. With a bed and desk in the command position your child can see who comes in and will not be surprised or startled, which helps to keep his energy strong. The command position will increase the feeling of safety and it does exactly what it implies: it allows your child to own its own space.
The command position is the place furthest from the door and not in direct line with it. It is in the diagonal from the door so you have a good view of the door and a complete view of the space. Another important criterion for the command position is good backing. The bed's headboard is against the wall and when sitting at your desk you are positioned with a wall behind you for support and protection. Avoid placing the bed under a window, as this not only creates a draft, but a window does not offer any support, stability and safety. Be creative with your space, a desk can easily be placed sideways against a wall.
3. Color for the Perfect Atmosphere
Color is very powerful and defining in a room, it sets the tone for the atmosphere and brings a specific quality of energy with it. Red, orange and purple are associated with the element of fire and bring chaotic and restless yang energy with them. Kids tend to have a lot of energy, the abundance of yang energy, in both their environment as within themselves, can make it less easy for them to settle down at night. Green is also less suitable for a children's bedroom, due to the exuberant and active energy. These bright, vibrant and distinct colors can over-stimulated a child and disturb his sleep.
More suitable for a children's bedroom are colors related to the element of metal, such as pastels or white. Pink has a calming effect and gives a cheerful and warm feeling. A soft restive value of green would also be suitable. Colors related to the elements of earth, like ocher and brown tones, provide a stable foundation. The color blue related to the element of water is calming and therefore also very suitable.
Most important is that your child loves his room. Talk to your child and involve him in the color choices you are making.
photo by pienheemstra.nl for MrMini
4. Soft Corners for Soft Energy
In Feng Shui sharp protruding corners of object, walls or furniture are called 'poison arrows'. It can be the corner of a photo frame pointing to your bed, corners of your bedside table or any other sharp angle pointing at you. These sharp corners create a harsh energy stream. They can weaken your personal energy and evoke a sense of pressure and stress that interferes with the child sleeping or studying well. Because your child sleeps in his bed for so many hours, or may spend hours studying at his desk, these poison arrows can really affect their health and well-being in a negative way. Round corners provide a pleasant and softly flowing energy.
Sit down on the bed or at the desk and carefully look around to detect poison arrows.
Reposition some furniture, or rehang art and pictures on the wall. Choose furniture with rounded corners or cover sharp corners with a cloth.
5. Natural Materials for a Connection with Nature
Choose a solid natural wooden bedframe and furniture. Avoid metal parts as they attract all energy fields from, for example, a socket. Use natural materials like linen, wool, silk, cotton and down for bedding, duvet, rug and mattress for a feeling of warmth, comfort and protection.
Feng Shui always promotes the use of natural materials. For young children consider wooden toys. There are so many advantages of wooden toys. Holding and playing with natural wood is a direct connection to nature, a sense that many children who spend a lot of time playing inside have lost. Wooden toys are warm and inviting to play with, they are calming and stimulate creative and imaginative play. The simplicity of wooden toys allows for role-playing and fosters social interaction. And last but not least, wood is sustainable, durable and safe!
6. Self-Expression for Empowerment
As a parent, it can be difficult to let go of the idea of how you think your child's bedroom should look. But if you have established a strong Feng Shui foundation, let the room really be your child's room, a space in which they can express themselves and surround themselves by the things they loves.
Give your child the space and freedom to discover their own identity and personality, and to express their own energy in their room. Stimulate your child to create his own space into one where he feels safe, comfortable and happy. By accepting and respecting the choices and the energy of your child, you empower your child.
More Feng Shui Tips:
Avoid electronic devices such as a TV, computer, tablet or laptop in your child's room. These devices bring active, chaotic and restless yang energy into the children's room. This can interfere with sleep.
Good lighting is very important. Choose for layered lighting, including a desk lamp to do homework and a soft bedside lamp for a calm and relaxing atmosphere. Provide sufficient daylight, as well as blackout curtains for a healthy night's sleep and privacy.
Fresh and healthy air quality is of great importance. Make sure to air the room frequently.
Good Feng Shui advice always starts with a thorough analysis of your home by a Feng Shui Professional.
Please contact me if you have any questions.