Lighting in any room is aligned with illumination and fire in Feng Shui practice. This includes the major overhead lights, pendants, sconces, lamps, fairy lights and candles and any other form. Common sense is also needed to make sure your space has enough natural light and accent or task lights for reading and to add a softer energy to the space. I love battery operated fairy lights in a big jar or tea lights as they offer a softer ambience.
Check the Bagua map as well. Lights and candles are of the Fire element and will add activity to an area. Ideally place lighting in the Wood and Fire sectors as Wood feeds Fire. That being said, some Feng Shui practitioners recommend activating a sector such as Helpful People and Travel by leaving a light on for a short time to add energy. I am going to try this for a week and see what happens! It is recommended to turn the light off once the result has been achieved otherwise there is too much activity in this area.
Front Door
It makes sense that you front door is well lit, even if just for security. Look at what the lights are saying. Square shapes are recommended for the Earth element and round shapes for Metal. It makes sense as the square is seen as a balanced shape with equal parts, offering stability and equal spacing. Round lights are seen as complete and clear. Sharp lights such as stars are best in the Wood and Fire sectors of Wealth and Fame as in the map. Also check that the colours blend. A bright red star outside your front door may not be the best option. Front door lights are often wavy or have different curves, this is aligned with the Water element and can be used with a lovely effect. The Wood element can be seen in rectangular lights and are fine around your front door.
Kitchen and Office
In my post about lighting https://interiorharmonyblog.com/2019/04/28/lights-a-wow-factor/, this is an area that needs task lights as well as overheads. You need to be able to see what you are doing. We had three lovely sugar jar lamps that were suspended over the main kitchen bench. Notice that they offer no poison arrows overhead and offer a soft but practical light. Check again which area you are in the Bagua map to match the shape element. The jar lamps are glass, representing water and have a flowing shape. The kitchen was in the Health and Family sector with Wood as the element. Wood needs Water to grow.
Bathroom
The bathroom needs both master and task lighting to be able to utilise the room properly – common sense of course! Check out my bathroom renovation on practical tips and tricks https://interiorharmonyblog.com/2018/12/18/berlin-renovation-the-bathroom/ Candles have become a popular lighting in a bathroom to add a spa-like environment. Check where your bathroom is. I had a candle in our bathroom which is in the Career sector and has Water as the key element. I chose to take it out as, while I want to support my career, I don’t want the Fire element to dry out the Water element which is seen by Feng Shui practice to be about flow and prosperity!
