We know, we know – Feng Shui can sound a little “Southern Californian,” and here in Oklahoma we do things a little differently. But here’s the thing: Feng Shui is simply the art of maximizing good energy in a living space, while minimizing the bad. Its primary focus: helping people live in harmony with their surroundings. More traditional ideas are available at CountryLiving’s “How to feng shui your garden”.
At GreenPro part of what we enjoy about working with our clients is helping them design their outdoor space for peaceful living – making home a place you hate to leave and can’t wait to return to. This is what Feng Shui basically is, and it’s something we enjoy bringing to our clients.
When it comes to Feng Shui, there are five natural elements that serve as its components: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Landscape designs often center around these elements, which homeowners can easily incorporate into their landscapes and surrounding property.
Wood
Incorporating wood into your landscaping design is deceptively easy – trees are automatically a natural “go-to” for every home designer. Their roots stretch deep down underground, making them strong and compelling. (Just make sure they’re not too close to the house, so they don’t trap the energy and send it to their roots.)
In addition, a wood fence is another easy go-to for home designers; fences may create a sense of security and protect your yard from possible noise, wind or air pollution. Want to stick to Feng Shui principles? You can decorate the fence with green plants or flowers.
Looking to honor the principles of Feng Shui by incorporating some Asian influence into your design? Try hanging bamboo wind chimes to help you relax.
Fire
It’s official: everyone loves a good fire pit, especially guys. Who doesn’t love gathering with friends around a roaring fire? Landscape designers can create a fire pit that will offer you and all your friends that space and sense of camaraderie, without being destructive to the environment. Don’t want to commit to the work of a built-in fire pit? Perhaps a portable chiminea is more your speed.
Earth
It can be tempting to think that you already have earth elements surrounding you in your yard, and that’s probably true. However, it’s one thing to have unlandscaped, scattered “earth” in your yard – quite another to have fully incorporated elements like terracotta or clay pots. (Just make sure that they don’t block the entrance to your home or disrupt the flow and harmony of your landscaping.)
Metal
Want to incorporate metal without taking away from your overall aesthetic? No problem! To create a sense of peace, find metal wind chimes to play nature’s soundtrack. You can also add some artistic flair to your yard with a metal sculpture or wind mobile.
Water
According to the philosophy of Feng Shui design, water is a symbol of wealth, so it’s an excellent element to incorporate into your design. Water features can either stand alone or work hand in hand with other natural elements.
Hoping to hear running water? Consider installing a fountain or a small waterfall. Want something practical? A swimming pool is technically a large body of water and would work in balancing out the water requirement of Feng Shui. Koi ponds are fun too!
No matter how you decide to incorporate all five elements, it’s so important to create a welcoming environment throughout your home’s outdoor landscape. With comfortable and attractive furniture, garden decorations, and anything else you can think of to create a peaceful and inviting environment, your outdoor landscape can be a place where people gather to enjoy a calming, harmonious atmosphere. Call GreenPro today; we’ll be happy to work with you!