By skyforbes 
Contrary to popular belief, feng shui isn’t a way to decorate or a Chinese style of decor. Both a science and an art, the purpose of feng shui is to create a space that triggers specific emotions and feelings based on energy and attraction. Applying feng shui principles to a home office allows you to modify the feel of the space.
The principles chosen for a home office depend on the person, their professional goals, and what the room is used for. In most cases, you’ll want an office to be a highly productive space that can encourage a more successful career. We spoke with design experts for their best fung shui office tips for creating the perfect home office.
Position the Desk Facing the Door
For starters, face the desk toward the door so you can see who is coming and going from the room. “This is a power position, and it equals major success,” interior designer Ashley Cantley says. “Your back facing the door creates vulnerability and anxiety.”
“If you’re set up near your door, you are looking forward to the opportunities work-wise instead of being distracted,” says feng shui educator Anjie Cho, who adds that you want to see the entry to the space without being in line with it.
Not all office layouts allow for the ideal position of the desk. If you must have your back facing the door, Cantley suggests hanging a mirror in front of your workspace so you can see who is entering and exiting the door.
It is bad feng shui to set up your desk facing a window. “Your energy, your chi, will go out the window, and you won’t be present in your work,” says Cho. Instead, position yourself so that the window is to your side so you can take a break and look out when you need to.
Choose Your Desk and Chair Wisely
The single most important piece of furniture in any home office is the desk. Cantley strongly suggests making sure your desk is sturdy above all else (so avoid a leaning desk, for example). Whatever style of furniture you choose, make sure it is in good repair, the legs are even, and there is absolutely no wobbling.
“The best desk is one that is solid, stable, and big enough to accommodate all your wishes for your work,” says Cho, who recommends avoiding glass where things fall through. “A brown wood desk is the most supportive and stable for feng shui.”
A comfortable, quality chair is synonymous with a good desk, so having a sturdy seat where you work is crucial. “A high back chair that is supportive, which represents having a mountain behind you to support you while you’re working,” says Cho. Take into consideration any physical limitations you have when choosing a place to sit and work, as this can help you select the right chair.
Block Off Other Elements in Shared Spaces
“Many people are working from home, at least partially, and that’s something a lot of people didn’t consider when they moved into their house,” says Cho, who adds that
not everyone has the luxury of a home office space, so it’s important to be able to work with what you have.
“If a separate space is not possible, and you have to carve out space in the bedroom or another area of your home, you can set up a visual barrier, like a freestanding bookcase. This way, you’re not looking at your bed or another area of the room,” says Cho. “If you look at your bed, you may want to sleep. If you are turning your dining room table into an office space, remove any elements that make you think of dining and gathering.”
As for the door, it doesn’t matter if you leave the door open or closed during work time. “It’s a more practical situation because there might be other people in the house, but if no one is, you can leave it open,” says Cho.
Select Appropriate Feng Shui Office Colors
Colors are very important for feng shui, especially in an office. The colors you choose should depend on what kind of work you are doing. For example, the colors an accountant would likely choose for feng shui probably wouldn’t be as conducive to productivity as they would be for a graphic designer.
According to Cantley, “white or pastels help stimulate creativity, green represents growth, black represents the water element and is associated with money, while purple represents clarity.”
If you feel stressed and are worried about stability, Cho suggests opting for earth tones and elements. “Bring in the color brown, such as a brown wood desk, or yellow. You can bring on those colors with your notebook, pen, a journal, a desk blotter, and even a coffee cup,” says Cho.
To encourage growth, Cho notes that you can incorporate blue, green, or teal with living things such as plants.
Hang Inspiring Art
Art is very important for a feng shui office, and it is perhaps where there is the most freedom because there are very few feng shui guidelines for using art.
“You can choose to incorporate different colors in art around you, depending on what you want to cultivate,” says Cho. “If you want more movement and want to be seen more, you can bring in red for the fire element. If you need more connections, bring in black, which is the water element and also represents wealth and financial being.”
Cantley adds that hanging art that inspires you can also increase productivity and allow you to enjoy the space during work hours. “Place images of people you admire and aspire to be like and use positive mantras painted or hanging on the wall,” says Cantley.
Use Plants and Scent for Balanced Energy
“My absolute favorite plant for feng shui right now is the Pilea Peperomioides plant, which is also called the Chinese money plant. The round leaves look like little coins and it’s beautiful,” says Cantley, who recommends any plant that has a rounded leaf.
“A succulent set is very feng shui and makes an ideal desk accessory, and flowering plants (purple and red) are also good choices,” Cantley adds. An orchid fits the bill here, too.
Scent is another aspect of feng shui. Cantley recommends using citrus essential oils, which can be very helpful on long, stressful days. A decorative diffuser or candle can double as decor, too.
Improve Lighting to Improve Focus
While an abundance of natural light is ideal, most office spaces need supplementary lighting from lamps. “When it comes to lighting, you need enough to see what you are doing, so good task lighting is key,” says Cho.
No matter what style lamp you choose—a desk lamp, floor lamp, or standing lamp—Cantley says it’s best to avoid fluorescent light bulbs because they zap your energy.
According to Cho, working during the day is more productive because it is unrelated to sleep. “Yang [or daytime] is more conducive to getting work done because it is energy when you’re active. At nighttime, or during ying, is when you’re sleeping, resting, and rejuvenating.”
Practice Feng Shui Hygiene
Good feng shui hygiene in terms of work means putting away your office when the work day is done. To implement this, Cho says you can cover your desk or put away your office when office hours are closed.
“Working from home, a lot of people have issues with work-life balance. Close your desk or put away your computer because it’s very easy to just look at your computer and start answering emails and doing work,” says Cho.