In Eastern culture, especially in Chinese Feng Shui, a house is not just a place of residence but is also likened to the “lifeblood” of the family. The way space is arranged and each room is used can directly impact the family’s fortune, blessings, and prosperity.
The ancients once advised: “A house should not be empty, for then the children will ride the eastern wind.” This concise saying encapsulates a philosophy and centuries of experience on building a harmonious home. The notion of “not empty” here refers not just to physical space but also to the vibrancy, warmth, and connection among family members.
According to Feng Shui and the practical experiences of many families, paying attention to the following three important spaces and ensuring they are vibrant and full of positive energy will bring peace and harmony to the family and smooth the path to success:
1. Keep the living room warm and lively – Gather positive energy and foster relationships
The living room is the first place a guest enters when visiting a home. It is not just a space for entertaining guests but also represents the family’s “spirit.” Whether large or small, a warm and lively living room, regularly used by family members, will attract positive energy, leading to smooth sailing in all endeavors and abundant wealth.
On the other hand, a cold and unused living room, with cluttered furniture or lacking lighting, indicates a disconnect in communication and an imbalance in relationships, directly affecting the family’s fate.
Some simple suggestions to maintain the “liveliness” of the living room:
- Optimize natural lighting as much as possible.
- Place a few small potted plants or fresh flowers to increase positive energy.
- Create a common area for family members, such as a reading corner, a music area, or a tea-drinking space.
- Keep the living room clean, tidy, and pleasantly scented.
As a netizen shared: “My family lives in a small 45-square-meter apartment, but our living room is always where we gather. While my child studies, I cook, and we can still chat with my husband watching TV. That feeling of being present together is truly precious.”
2. Keep the kitchen warm and lively – Preserve wealth and unite the family
In Feng Shui, the kitchen is where the “fire energy” resides, representing life, prosperity, and good fortune. A bright kitchen with someone cooking every day symbolizes abundance and harmony.
Conversely, a cold and rarely used kitchen, left idle for extended periods, disrupts the flow of energy. In ancient beliefs, “a cold kitchen means cold finances,” indicating a lack of vital energy within the family.
Suggestions to keep the kitchen “warm”:
- Even if busy, try to cook at least one meal a day.
- Organize kitchen utensils neatly and minimize clutter on countertops.
- Add warm yellow lighting or small decorative items to create a cozy atmosphere.
- Utilize drawer cabinets or open shelves to optimize space while maintaining functionality.
A homemaker shared: “My small kitchen is my private world. Just the smell of simmering soup, the sound of chopping vegetables, and the clatter of pots and pans are enough to know that my family is living every moment to the fullest.”
3. Keep the study area or library full – Maintain knowledge and nurture humanity
One of the ancient sayings goes: “Wealth does not last beyond three generations without education.” Thus, every family, regardless of size, should have a dedicated space for reading, studying, or working.
A study room, or at least a neat and tidy study corner, is where knowledge is nurtured, good habits are formed, and the long-term development of the family is fostered. This space not only encourages children’s love for learning but also serves as an intellectual hub, ensuring the family’s stability and longevity.
An ideal design for a reading space:
- A simple yet comfortable study or work desk.
- Compact bookshelves, which can be built into the wall or hung on it.
- Add task lighting and a few small plants to create a calm and focused atmosphere.
- Many modern families opt to integrate the library with the living room or bedroom. Some even choose to replace the TV wall with a bookcase, combining aesthetics with the intellectual spirit of the homeowner.
As the ancients taught: “First, govern your family, then govern your nation, and then bring peace to the world.” A home that is carefully tended to, from the living room to the kitchen and study, brings not only warmth but also lays the foundation for happiness and success.
Thus, never let your house be “empty” – not in terms of material possessions, but in terms of vitality, familial bonds, and wisdom. A home filled with laughter, warmth, and light is the beginning of a fulfilled life.
