The Feng Shui Anatomy of Walls

Representing the connective tissue of muscles and ligaments the walls of your home provide a protective barrier to the structural and mechanical features. Forming pathways and creating boundaries walls direct chi flow and defines the use of space.

It is a trend in many of today’s renovation and building design projects to remove walls or build fewer walls, only doing so to separate private spaces such as bathrooms and bedrooms from common rooms. Although an open floor plan is ideal for increasing natural light in every room and allowing for ease of fluid motion. They do have their drawbacks as there is often a challenge in defining the use of space and providing an opportunity for relaxation.

It is very common to see in an open floor plan where the kitchen is the first room seen upon entering. From a Feng Shui perspective this is less-than-excellent as it can cause a number of physical, mental and emotional challenges, the least of which is an increase in weight gain.

Another drawback of an open floor plan is that as one client told me, “hard to relax in the family room when I’m faced with dirty dishes. When entertaining I simply want to sit back and visit not rush to clean up the kitchen before having a cocktail and catching up with friends.”

Although many home owners like to visit with others while they are cooking walls between the kitchen and common rooms such as the living and family rooms are best to keep the “mess” hidden to reduce distractions and unnecessary anxiety.  In truth how often are you visiting with extended family and friends while cooking? A handful of times a year for most folks.

The open floor plan of a kitchen and a formal dining room offers the same challenges other common rooms do. However, an open floor plan is perfect for an eat-in-kitchen or informal dining room where space is of a premium.

Our home originally had a small kitchen with a tiny but functional dining on the other side of the cabinets. With minimal work we were able to remove an 8 foot non-load bearing wall to create a peninsula which offered us more space and increased the lighting in the room.

When renovating and taking down walls consult and expert to make sure that you are not removing a load bearing wall. Load bearing meaning the main support for the roof trusses. Removal of a load bearing wall will require the engineering approval and installation of a structurally sound wood or metal beam.

Renovations of a home are from a Feng Shui perspective considered to be surgery so when a wall is removed you are essential removing a number of essential components of a home. Do so with care. Asking your home for permission before doing so is a very good practice. I know it sounds a little “woo woo” but it I’m being honest. Performing a clearing and blessing ceremony while asking for a comfortable and easy transition may help to ease the growing pains of the renovation while honoring your space.

Finishings

While painted drywall is one of the most common applications to create and define a design style the tint, shade and hue can create a mood that is uplifting, relaxing and depressing. For more on colours read my blog post on “Going from Sad to Glad”.

Feature walls painted in a complimentary colour can draw you into a room, make a room feel more spacious or depending on the location and depth of colour make a room feel small.

Featured walls can highlight design details or hide a multitude of sins based on the chosen application such as wallpaper.

Coverings

Wallpaper, wood and or brick covered walls add an architectural element to the space. When choosing a wall covering be mindful of the associated gua the wall is in and choose a covering that is the appropriate element. For instance a wallpaper and wood panelled or bead-board covered wall would be best in a Family & Health and Wealth & Prosperity Gua as these gua’s are associated with the wood element.

A brick wall is much more suited to an earth or metal gua such as Knowledge & Self-Cultivation, Love, Marriage & Relationship, Children & Creativity, or Helpful People & Travel.

Glass or Mirrored Walls

Although I don’t see nor recommend a lot of glass or mirrored wall surfaces in residential properties they are best used in the Career & Life Path Gua as they represent the water element providing a sense of movement and deep reflection. A word of caution should be used when installing glass or mirrored walls for there is a sense of vulnerability in breakage with a risk of potential harm.

Surface Integrity

As you have seen in this series of “The Anatomy of the Home” you are beginning to understand the importance of the structural integrity of all aspects of a home. The integrity of the walls is no different. Cracked or damaged plaster or drywall may indicate that there internal lesion or dis-ease within the physical body’s cavity of the occupants. To reduce the risk of such disorders repair all compromised walls as soon as possible.

Inspiration

Walls offer a clear canvas to hang inspirational artwork and visual stimuli to hold ones intentions. For instance our dining room falls in the Wealth & Prosperity gua of our house. On the feature wall we have hung a beautiful piece of artwork of 100 round pieces of jade with a 6″ medallion carved in the symbol for Prosperity. Jade is considered to be a stone that is often used to represent abundance while the 100 represent multiples and the symbol of prosperity well that says it all.

Anointing

A spring cleaning is excellent at revitalizing and raising the vibration of any space so washing your walls will help you re-connect and anoint your sacred space with love.