Summer is around the corner, beach chairs have appeared and it feels as if the air is brighter and lighter. This post focuses on outdoor spaces attached to your apartment or house. These include gardens and balconies. I have plenty of posts on both but let’s have another look at them. Firstly, they are part of your space even if they feel like an extension. Feng Shui practice ‘pulls’ these spaces in to the overall Bagua map of your area and to connect with your floorpan.

Feng Shui First

Determine where the balcony or garden is on the Bagua map and match the colour and element of that sector. Check where the entrance to the balcony is and how the Chi energy moves through and ensure that it doesn’t rush straight over the balcony rails! Remember the ‘corridor effect’ in other posts. Use furniture to slow down the energy between the entrance and the balcony edge or railing. It will make people move on to the balcony and stay.

You know the basics, keep it clean, fix any issues, get rid of any old dying or dead plants and replace any broken furniture. It is still representing part of your overall living space. Place small mirrors in the inner wall that the balcony is connected to. Shiny side in to the room and state,’ this wall includes the balcony so there is no missing space’. Yes, it sounds crazy but it is all about intention and you wouldn’t be reading this post if you didn’t think there is something in this! Gardens are different, they are generally larger and need to be ‘attached’ to the overall house or apartment. Depending on the sector the garden is in, plant a light or a fountain stating that this connects the garden to the overall floorpan. Note, a fountain should be clean, with water running gently and no light on the fountain, this would be mixed fire and water elements which is a big no in Feng Shui.

Career & Life Path – this means that your balcony is over your front door or where you enter the house from the balcony. If you enter via the balcony, you need to consider this as your front entrance to the whole place. As always, keep it really tidy and uncluttered using the colours of deep blues and black for the water and you can add stone and wood as a partner element. For some this is a front porch or patio, it needs to be used frequently for Chi energy to move around the space. Make sure you feel a sense of privacy and not being exposed to what is happening on the street. I often see front porches or patios not used as people feel exposed or nervous. Our French balcony is at the front and we have put lovely pots and fake plants there. It looks pretty with a couple of chairs.

Inner Knowledge – Use the colours of deep blues with stone for the earth element. Water and wood can be used as partner elements with deep greens and black as complimentary colours. It is an opportunity to create a lovely area to relax and read.

Family & Health – This area would be great here as it is about the family area and being a meeting space. Use green and wood for the key colours and elements and the use of wood and blue hues are a great partner. Plant a small garden, hang plant pots with herbs but make sure they are looked after and are healthy and thriving.

Abundance & Prosperity – For this area, blend the element of wood and use tones of purple, deep blue and green to keep this area active. Buy the most expensive outdoor furniture you can afford that sends a message of richness and abundance. Use texture and fabrics that give a sense of luxury. A Ficus or fig tree would be great here.

Fame & Reputation –  The elements here are fire and shades of red which can also partner with wood elements and green for balance as wood feeds fire in the Feng Shui life cycle. We had a small balcony in this area and painted the table and chairs to blend with the wrought iron. I placed some bulbs on the table and looked forward to watching them bloom each year.

 

 

Relationships & Marriage – The key colours of pinks can be a challenge. A recommendation would be to use white, with touches of yellow and add elements of stone and earth. Make sure there are two of everything including any art work to represent relationships. Our Berlin balcony was in this area and we already had a white and navy love seat which isn’t a perfect colour but being practical, we needed to find a solution. We added lemon cushions and touches of lemon accessories for the earth element. We loved the space in summer.

 

 

Creativity & Children – Use white and grey paired with the elements of metal and water. Also, have fun in this area as it is about being playful and creative.

Helpful People & Travel sector – Use the colours of white, grey and black with the element of metal to create a chic balcony space. Consider adding accessories from travels and other countries.

Plants

Feng Shui practices prefer palms or rounded leaf plants. Spiky and cacti are not considered to be great plants to have. Obviously keep them alive and healthy. Be aware of placement as well, use the Bagua map over the balcony space using the entrance as the ‘front’ door. Plants are considered to be a wood element and are best in those areas that partner or have that element such as sectors with the water and earth elements.

Fountains

Placement of water and fountains has to be carefully considered. As with plants, use the Bagua map to make sure the water element works and not with fire or earth. Keep it gently flowing and keep it clean. Then just enjoy your space!