As a spiritually-based, open-minded person who loves to learn time-tested ways to improve our lives, years ago I became curious about the age-old Chinese practice of Feng Shui.

To start with – my attitude about these topics always is, why not try something new?! If it works, great! If not, well then at least my home and office look tidy, feel inspiring, and exude “good vibes”. So, it’s a win-win either way, in my opinion. That said, I started going down the rabbit hole by learning how to incorporate the practice of Feng Shui into our lives. I’ve watched countless YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram videos about the subject and read articles on sites like Real Simple, Architectural Digest, and MindBodyGreen. To say it’s positively changed my outlook, my life, and my career is an understatement.

Essentially, implementing these techniques has not only changed the look and atmosphere of my space but it’s also influenced my energy and ability to manifest my dreams more easily.

From artwork and decorative objects to furniture placement, plant selection, and even the use of colors, I’ve implemented a number of Feng Shui strategies into my space. And let me tell you – it feels great! It’s like breathing new life into a home or office. It not only had an emotional and mental impact on me (as I tend to feel more uplifted, balanced, and clear-minded while having a more expanded outlook on everything), but I sense that it’s also affecting my subconscious and nervous system in positive ways. But, don’t take my word for it… let’s hear all about it from the expert.

In today’s home decorating & organization guide, discover inspiring ideas and tips to elevate your home and life from world-renowned Feng Shui Master, Marie Diamond.

About Marie Diamond

Marie Diamond is a world-renowned Master Teacher of Feng Shui and the Law of Attraction, a six-time global best-selling author, and the star of the major network TV series “Feng Shui Your Life”. Marie has been featured on NBC, Fox, and CBS and also starred in the global phenomenon film, “The Secret” (which is how I first learned about her).

After a near-death experience as a teenager, Marie has made it her mission to enlighten 500 million people with her teachings and wisdom. A “seer” in the modern context, Marie merges her profound intuitive knowledge with her extensive studies of quantum physics, Feng Shui, and meditation to help her students attract financial success, improved health, long-lasting relationships, and spiritual growth. Marie has taught more than one million students over the last 30 years and has spoken in more than 30 different countries. She is a business and spiritual mentor to celebrities, CEOs, and top entrepreneurs alike.

Her clients include:

• A-list celebrities in the film and music industry, including Steven Spielberg, Jodie, Foster, Dan Aykroyd, Big Sean, and Paula Abdul
• Top-selling writers, including Rhonda Byrne, Jack Canfield, Bob Proctor, Dr John Gray, Marianne Williamson, and Vishen Lakhiani
• World-class athletes and championship-winning sports teams
• Leading CEOs and Fortune 500 companies, including BP-Amoco and Exxon Mobil
• Governmental organizations and political leaders in Belgium, Kazakhstan, Russia, Iceland, USA, Canada, and Mexico
• Social media influencers
• Royal family members

For her humanitarian work, she is a knighted Dame.

CLP: What inspired you to become a Feng Shui master, and how has the practice of Feng Shui transformed your own life and the lives of your clients?

MD: “After a near-death experience as a teenager, Feng Shui helped me to attract the happiness and positivity that my life was severely lacking. I learnt about the Law of Attraction and the role that Feng Shui played in manifestation and used that knowledge to transform my life. I made it my mission to influence the lives of 500 million people through my teachings and I’ve helped people find their soulmates, grow their businesses, boost their cash flow, and make their wildest dreams a reality.”

CLP: Many people seek Feng Shui guidance to attract specific aspects into their lives, such as wealth or love. Could you share some fundamental principles or adjustments individuals can make in their homes to invite prosperity or enhance their relationships?

MD: “Whether you’re looking to attract a new romance or exciting new business opportunities, Feng Shui can help make your dreams a reality. The first step to transforming your home into your three-dimensional vision board is to find your Personal Energy Number. This is a number from one to nine and is based on your date of birth and the gender you were assigned at birth. To find it, download the free Marie Diamond app.

The app will tell you your Personal Energy Number, your archetype, and your four Personal Directions according to Diamond Feng Shui. These directions are where the energy in your home is the most powerful for you, and there are different Personal Directions for attracting success and money, good health, good relationships, and wisdom and personal growth.

You can use the Diamond Compass on the app to quickly and easily locate these directions in each room. If you want to focus on enhancing your relationship, locate your Relationship Direction in your bedroom since this is where your romantic energy will be most concentrated. If you want to focus on improving your business or boosting your cash flow, locate your Success Direction in your office or home workspace.

Once you’ve located it, clear this area from any mess or clutter. If you have a wastepaper basket located here, move it somewhere else as this can represent you literally throwing your romance or business goals “in the trash”!”

You can activate your Relationship Direction by placing any of the following in that area:

• Artwork and images that represent love, romance, or passion. This can be paintings of couples dancing together, embracing, feeding each other food – whatever resonates most with you.
• Fire elements, such as candles, triangular objects, or battery-operated LED lights. In Feng Shui, fire elements help to promote passion, warmth, and a feeling of activeness.
• Rose quartz is the crystal best associated with love, so have a chunk of it sitting out in this area. Better yet, see if you can find a rose quartz in the shape of a heart.
• Display items in pairs (such as two candles together) since this will promote harmony and balance within your relationship.
• In Diamond Feng Shui, the color cherry red represents passion, pink represents tenderness, and rose represents love. You can add splashes of these colors to this area in the form of candles, throw pillows and other soft furnishings.
• Avoid displaying anything here that represents the water element since this can literally put a dampener on your passion! This includes things like water features, fishbowls, and photos or images of lakes, rivers, or waterfalls. Similarly, avoid displaying any images or artwork in this area that represents solitude, loneliness, or unhappiness.
• Remove anything from this area relating to work (this includes work laptops), any sort of clutter, and anything that you don’t consider to represent romance or passion.

You can activate your Success Direction by placing any of the following in that area:

• Objects that represent your business and how you currently make your money. These objects can include company logos displayed in a gold frame, important business contracts you’ve signed, any products that you’ve worked on, and framed photos of you with important clients.
• Images of successful people in your profession or who have achieved goals similar to yours
• Fake awards, like an Oscar statue or a sports medal, represent something you want to achieve.
• In Diamond Feng Shui, the color royal blue represents power, gold represents abundance, and cobalt blue represents empowerment. You can add splashes of these colors to this area in the form of candles, throw pillows and other soft furnishings.
• Artwork or images that depict flowing water since water is the most important element in terms of attracting money. Similarly, display images of flowers coming into bloom or of lush nature scenes. On the other hand, avoid displaying winter scenes as they represent struggle and hardship. Similarly, desert scenes represent drought so avoid displaying anything to do with sand or cacti.
• Money frogs have been traditionally used to bring good luck and good fortune to a home. Place it on the ground diagonally across from your front door so that it’s facing towards the door.

CLP: The entryway of a home is often considered the “mouth of Qi,” where energy enters. What are some simple yet impactful Feng Shui tips to create a welcoming and harmonious entry space that sets a positive tone for the entire home?

MD: “The entrance of your home (that is the inside area that, when you open the front door, you directly step into) is an often overlooked area of the home but it actually has great significance in Feng Shui. Not only does it set the tone for your whole home, but it’s also known as the “Mouth of Chi” since it’s the place where fresh new energy enters. As such, it’s important to make this space as bright and welcoming as possible.

Since this space is often used for storage, try to have enclosed storage (like a closet or cupboard with a door) so that you can hide your shoes and coats away. Make sure that there’s nothing behind your front door to prevent you from being able to open it fully. Try also to avoid obstacles like big side tables or storage boxes that you have to side-step as you walk through. To ensure a positive, easy flow of energy, you want the path through your home to be as clear as possible.

Keep any windows clean so that the area remains light and airy. If your entrance area doesn’t have a lot of natural light, floor or table lamps can be used to illuminate the space instead. Display a family photo on the wall so that your collective energy is seen to be welcoming guests into your home.

If you have a welcome mat, be sure to replace it any time it gets a hole. Most importantly, your welcome mat shouldn’t have your name on it, for example: “The Smith Family”. Think about it: Do you want people coming into your home or office to trample all over your name with their dirty feet? It creates the symbolism of having people “walk all over you” so it’s best to stick to a positive, more basic message such as “welcome.””

CLP: The living room is typically the heart of a home, where families gather and entertain guests. Are there any Feng Shui techniques or design elements that can optimize the energy flow in this space to foster connection, relaxation, and vitality?

MD: “The living room is an important space in the room since it’s where the family can gather together to relax, unwind, and reconnect. The Feng Shui activations for this room all focus on promoting joy, harmony, and good communication.

The most important design element of the room is the sofa. It’s important that your sofa is big enough so that there’s room for each person in the household to have a seat. If there’s not, you can set out comfortable chairs nearby to add additional seating. By making sure that there’s a seat for everyone, you’ll be creating a welcoming and inviting space for all those who enter. Secondly, it’s important to have the sofa arranged so that those sitting on it don’t have their back to the door that leads into this room. When sitting on the sofa, you should always have sight of the door, even if it’s in your peripheral vision. Avoid placing the sofa in the middle of the room and instead have it positioned against a solid wall.

As for the other furniture in the room (such as coffee tables, side tables, and cabinets), try to avoid anything with sharp corners. Rounded corners or oval-shaped tables are best as they have no sharp corners to “stab” at the positive energy flow.

Adding plants to the living room is always a quick and easy way to bring in fresh, new energy. Choose plants with lush, round leaves and avoid spiky or plants with pointed leaves as these points can disrupt the flow of energy, which in turn can lead to conflict within the household. Orchids, with their beautiful blooms and soft leaves, are an ideal plant choice for the living room.”

CLP: Bedrooms are used for rest, rejuvenation, and intimacy. How can readers harness the principles of Feng Shui to create a serene and supportive bedroom environment conducive to restful sleep, emotional well-being, and nurturing relationships?

MD: “To begin with, make sure that your bed has a solid headboard and avoid one with slats. When you sit up, you want to be supported by the headboard itself and not be resting against the wall behind it. Not only is this far more comfortable for you, but in Feng Shui a solid headboard is also more effective for attracting money and abundance. Also, make sure that the bed is positioned so that you have a full view of the door when you’re laying down. These are both rules of “power position”, which is a Feng Shui principle that focuses on placing you in the best possible position for the incoming flow of positive energy.

Decorative pillows are a great way to add a splash of color, as too much white can cause your emotional state to come to a standstill. If you’re looking to boost your romance, choose pillows in pink or rose, and if you’re looking to improve your health, choose pillows in green or floral designs.

If your bedroom has wooden beams on the ceiling, especially if they’re above your bed, this can wreak havoc with your sleep. Beams like this are what is known in Feng Shui as “poison arrows,” meaning that they create fast-moving energy toward a person, cutting into their positive chi. To help stop the negative effects of this poison arrow, paint the beam or cover it in the same colors as the ceiling so that it blends in.

Seeing as how the bedroom is a representation of your love life in Feng Shui, keeping things symmetrical is very important. Having two nightstands, one on either side of the bed, sends a message to the Universe that you respect the needs of your partner (this can be your current partner or a future partner). Similarly, make sure that there’s a lamp on both nightstands and that both lamps are roughly the same size. If one person has a lamp that is much bigger or much brighter than the other, it can create a power struggle or a sense of inequality in the relationship.

Lastly, when you have a mirror or reflective surface (including the shiny, black screen of a TV or computer on standby) opposite or at the side of your bed, the mirror “doubles” your body, which can double any current health issues you may have. Not only that, but it can lead to bad dreams, and problems sleeping, and it can even have a negative effect on your relationship. If you’re sharing a bed with a partner, a mirror across from the bed can lead to unwelcome people becoming involved in the relationship, whereas if you’re single, it can double the sense of loneliness that you feel. A quick and easy fix for this is to cover any mirror or shiny surface with a scarf, curtain, or a fold-out screen while you sleep.”

CLP: Feng Shui emphasizes the importance of harmony and balance in the home. Can you share some practical tips for maintaining a harmonious energy flow throughout different areas of the house, especially in spaces where conflicting energies may arise?

MD: “To help maintain a harmonious flow of energy, it’s important to pay attention to the center area of your home as this is the area that represents peace, harmony, and good health for everyone living there. Begin by making sure that this area is free from any mess or clutter. If there’s a storage room or closet located here, make sure to keep it as organized as you possibly can. If there’s a bathroom located here, make sure it’s always kept fresh, clean, and smelling good. Use scented candles or plug-in air fresheners. You can even place a round-leafed plant or a white quartz crystal in the bathroom to help neutralize the “unclean” energy.

Ideally, the center of your home will be an open space. Display a recent family photo in the area along with a crystal (preferably a white quartz if at all possible), and a candle – but make sure that the crystal is bigger than the candle. A vanilla-scented candle, with its ability to calm and comfort, is the best choice for promoting harmony in the home. As for color schemes, soothing earth tones for this area will help to keep the energy relaxed and centered.”

CLP: Many individuals work from home nowadays. How can Feng Shui principles be applied to home offices or workspaces to enhance productivity, creativity, and overall success in career endeavors?

MD: “With more people working from home nowadays, rooms often serve as a multi-purpose function. You might have your work desk in your bedroom, or use your dining table as a desk. This is a potential pitfall since the merging of different energies (i.e. sleep energy with work energy) can cause energetic disharmony. If you can see your desk from your bed, it’ll be hard for you to have a peaceful night’s sleep when you have that visual reminder of all the work you have left to do! To preserve harmony and maintain balance, you can use fold-out screens, room dividers, or curtains to create a division of space and hide away your desk whilst you’re sleeping.

Additionally, if you use your dining table as a desk, you can use the same Feng Shui principle to help enforce your work/life balance. Have a storage box solely for your work-related papers, books, and your work laptop so that everything can be put away, out of sight, at the end of the working day. If you use a dining table for your desk, clear it from any non-work related items beforehand and spray some lavender mist to purify the air.”

CLP: In Feng Shui, I’ve learned that the kitchen is seen as a symbol of nourishment and abundance. Is this true? If so, are there any specific techniques that readers can implement in their kitchens to promote health, abundance, and culinary enjoyment?

MD: “The kitchen is the area of the home closely linked to nourishment and comfort but according to Feng Shui, it’s also associated with money and cash flow too. A lot of the Feng Shui “must-do’s” for the kitchen therefore are focused on creating a space that honors and respects food because this in turn shows that you honor and respect your money.

Begin by turning your attention to the fridge. The best kind of fridge is one that’s clean and organized, so make sure you’re clearing it out properly at least once a week. If you have any leftovers sitting on the shelf for more than a week, accept that you’re not going to eat them and throw them away! Wash the shelves with warm, soapy water to keep them clean and free from food debris. Regular fridge maintenance like this will do wonders for helping keep the energy flow equally fresh.

It might seem like a strange thing to focus on, but the correct placement of your kitchen knives (the ones you use to chop and prepare food with, not the ones you eat with) is also very important in Feng Shui. Knives, with their sharp points, “stab” at and generally disrupt the flow of positive energy in the room. They can even “cut” away at your good fortune. The best option is to keep your knives hidden away in a cupboard or a drawer. If this isn’t possible, you should at least have them positioned in such a way so that they’re not immediately visible when you walk through the door.

Avoid displaying any family photos in the kitchen. Since the room deals with a lot of conflicting water and fire energy from the sink and oven, displaying photos can lead to turbulent relationships and arguments within the family. Instead, display artwork of things that will help inspire you whilst cooking such as fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs, and other types of healthy, delicious food. Finally, having fresh plants and herbs in your kitchen is an excellent way to boost the energy, keep things smelling fresh, and also by having something “growing” in the kitchen, it can help your money to “grow” too.”

CLP: Clutter is known to disrupt the flow of energy in a space, leading to feelings of anxiety or overwhelm, especially for busy people who are managing a variety of responsibilities (like home, family, or work). What are your recommendations for decluttering and organizing homes in alignment with Feng Shui principles, and how can this contribute to overall well-being and clarity of mind?

MD: “A tried-and-tested Feng Shui technique that will help to kickstart the flow of Chi in your home is space clearing. In Feng Shui, space clearing refers to the act of mindfully sorting through all your belongings to see what you want to keep and what you don’t want or need anymore. Feng Shui teaches us that energy needs to be able to move freely around the home in order to be at its most powerful. Any mess or clutter disrupts this flow and so by space clearing, we’re removing these obstacles so that the energy can continue to attract that all-important abundance to us.

It’s best to space clear little and often rather than attempting to sort through your whole house in a day. You can always go room-by-room, or even tackle one closet or cupboard in turn. Begin by emptying out all the cupboards, closets, drawers, storage boxes – whatever’s in that area. With everything now out in front of you, have five different bags close to hand:

• The first bag will be for everything you decide to keep
• The second bag will be for anything you decide to throw away
• The third bag will be for anything you want to give to your friends and family
• The fourth bag will be for anything you decide to donate to charity
• The fifth bag will be for anything you decide to sell

A quick and easy way to decide what stays and what goes is to ask yourself whether you’re going to use this item in the next six months. If it’s a no, strongly consider getting rid of it or donating it.

Once you’ve gone through everything, give the space a good dusting, and be sure to open up the windows to let in some fresh air. Cleaning products that contain lavender oil are great not only for their antibacterial properties but for their ability to cleanse the energy of a room too. Then, place the items that you’ve decided to keep back into their correct place and deal with the other bags accordingly.”

CLP: Feng Shui also extends beyond the physical environment to include aspects like color, symbolism, and personal intention. Could you share some insights on how individuals can incorporate these elements into their home design and decor to create spaces that resonate with their personal goals, aspirations, and values?

MD: “Feng Shui helps to transform your home into a three-dimensional vision board, and tools such as colors and symbols can help you to manifest your goals quicker and more effortlessly. In Diamond Feng Shui, there are 24 quantum colors and together they form the quantum rainbow. This quantum rainbow acts as a sort of shorthand for whatever we’re looking to attract. Instead of, for example, writing out ‘I am abundant’ or displaying images of expensive watches or luxury cars, it’s quicker, easier, and more effective to display gold-colored objects, which is the quantum color associated with abundance. Colors have the ability to raise the vibrational field of our home and in turn, raise our own vibrational fields. The higher our vibration, the quicker and more effortlessly we’re able to manifest the things we want!”

For more tips on improving your home, check out the Home Organization section on Inspirations & Celebrations.