Feng Shui views light as one of the most interesting sources of good energy because we have enormous potential to optimize it. Since light plays a major role in Feng Shui, here are a few tips:
Light in the Kitchen ~ There are many benefits to having good light in the kitchen. For one, we prepare our food there and the amount of light determines how well we can see what we do. In addition, the quality of the light can also contribute a great deal toward how we “experience” the food and how we ultimately treat it. Think about it for a moment…
If you are working in a poorly lit kitchen, it is challenging to see the beautiful colors and quality of the food. The most vibrant colored meal will appear to be dull in poor lighting. What affect does that have on your mood?
On the other hand, if the fruit, meat, or vegetables are glowing in a well-lit environment, they appear to smile at us and are proud to show-off. Wouldn’t you rather eat a meal that looks happy instead of a meal that looks sad?
Improve the Feng Shui of your kitchen and your health by adding light. Working in a well-lit kitchen promotes healthy eating habits. It allows you to enjoy being in the kitchen, creates a positive eating environment, and therefore makes a valuable contribution to your health and increases your sense of well-being. In a poorly lit kitchen, the meals are unappetizing; we cook less, and then eat quickly and without much enjoyment. Who would have thought lighting could make such a difference to our health?
Light in the Bathroom ~ Have you ever used a bathroom in a rest area or train station? It probably left an impression on you, but I doubt that it was positive. These facilities usually have a bluish-cold lighting that causes us to keep our visit as short as possible. On the other hand, if you have ever had the opportunity to use the restroom in a luxury hotel, the experience was, more than likely, the complete opposite. Chances are good that you felt refreshed by the golden light and golden tones of the mirror there.
Gold tone mirrors may not allow us to see things as clearly, but the light flatters our skin and surrounds us with a shimmer of warmth and a touch of elegance. The choice of lighting we use in our homes can determine how much we enjoy our visit to the bathroom. Use warm lighting and gold tone mirrors to create an environment of relaxation, warmth, and elegance.
Light in the Corridor/Hallway ~ In some floor plans, the hallway runs through the middle of the home or apartment and subdivides the remaining areas into different rooms. Hall lighting fixtures are usually sad creations without any illuminating power or esthetics.
The center of any home corresponds to health, so hall lighting should be of the utmost importance. The light in the middle of the home has the function of a sun that wants to send power into all the adjoining rooms. The more radiant the sun, the greater the energy will be. Select a hall light that is bright and reminiscent of the sun at high noon.
Light in the Living Areas ~ You must experience a sense of well-being in the living areas. This is the primary basic rule. The light must correspond with the needs that you want in each respective room: quality lighting for watching TV, good and bright light for reading, and warm light for snuggling. However, the light should not be blinding. If you like halogen lamps, be sure to direct them so that no one is “blinded” when looking at them. Hanging lamps with bulbs that are not covered by lamp shades can also be changed and refined through the proper choice of a bulb.
Dead Corners ~ Every home has a “dead corner” somewhere. These are areas in which dust likes to collect. The energy cannot circulate freely in a corner and this area usually becomes limp. A standard lamp will work well in these areas, but using a crystal lamp is ideal. Add a few plants and a limp corner can be transformed into a comfortable retreat.
Treasures, Pictures, and Decorative Objects ~ Most of us have a few treasures and decorative items in our homes. Quite frequently, these precious things simply gather dust and their auras become weaker and weaker. You can use track lighting to showcase your treasures or create a space in a bookcase for a decorative object. When you additionally illuminate the object, you are activating the energy of joy. Change the Feng Shui of the space by installing special lamps above the frames of your pictures.
Some rooms are completely transformed just by illuminating the pictures on the wall. Not only does this transform the ambiance of the room, but it also improves the Feng Shui of the room.