Feng Shui and the Bathroom

  As the ancient art of Feng Shui predates the existence of indoor plumbing, creating the correct bathroom space can be a bit of a challenge.  Like anything, there are positives and negatives associated with this space.  The good news is that it can be arranged and decorated to not interfere with the movement of positive chi throughout your home and life.  Feng Shui has only one purpose, and that is to create a harmonious balance in every aspect of life for each and every member of the household.  Feng Shui and the bathroom can be compatible if a person keeps some key elements in mind.
   First of all, as previously mentioned, the bathroom does have some good influences.  Since the water element is heavy in this room, it symbolizes a healthy cash flow, wealth, and career chi.  Like the other aspects of life, these are important in defining the perfect balance of all of the elements, and the bathroom is a good place to start.  Feng Shui and bathroom design will further enhance the positive chi of this space.
 One the other hand, there are certainly negative influences at work in this space as well.  While the bathroom is the area used for bathing and is rich in the water element, it is still the room for elimination and waste.  For this reason, there are certain precautions that should be practiced to reduce the effect of this negative energy on the overall flow of chi through the home.  In Feng Shui and bathroom arrangement, diminishing the effects of the toilet and shower fixtures is very important.
  Let’s start with maintaining the bathroom space.  Clutter is the natural enemy of positive chi flow in any area of the home.  This is no less true for the bathroom.  The first step is to thoroughly clean and de-clutter the bathroom.  This includes linen closets, under the sink, and the shower stall.  Once that is done, turn your attention to the water fixtures themselves.  It is absolutely essential that the facets and drains be in perfect working order.  A leaking facet simply indicates that money is being wasted.  The last thing you want to do is reduce the power of the water element by allowing your prosperity to literally go down the drain.  Feng Shui and bathroom maintenance dictate that you have all water related fixtures working well.
 In terms of colors and decorating ideas in Feng Shui and bathroom design, there are a few tips that will make things easier for you.  The best colors for use in the bathroom are light blues, cream colors, and muted grays.  The key is to keep the environment looking and feeling light and open.  Your mirror should be as large as possible.  The belief surrounding this suggestion is that by having a clear, full picture of yourself at the beginning of the day, you are starting the day with a bright vision. Avoid having one of the popular versions of bathroom mirrors that is separated into 2 pieces.  This breaks up your clear view and is not helpful in generating good chi. 
  Like all of the other rooms in your home, the bathroom should be a source of comfort and ease.  Keeping the room clean and free of debris is a good way to help ensure that is the case.  Also decorate the space in the most light and good mood inducing colors and themes possible.  There are several excellent accents that when used in the bathroom, work to enhance the positive influence of the bathroom.  Crystals are great in this room.  Another option is to create the ultimate pampering spa right in your bathroom.  Large, fluffy towels, bath salts scented with your favorite fragrances and lovely candles combine Feng Shui and the bathroom in a way is nothing less than decadent to your senses.  There isn’t anything like pampering yourself to restore the essential balance every person needs to fully reap the benefits of practicing Feng Shui.
If you discover that your bathroom is a particularly unproductive Feng Shui spot, there are some things you can do to counterbalance the negative effects.  For example, a bathroom placed in the center of the home is not the best for the good flow of chi.  In this case, be sure to keep the toilet lid down when not in use and leave the bathroom door closed at all times.  The careful placement of full length mirrors is useful in this situation as well.  Place the mirror on the outside of the door to encourage the positive energy to continue to flow through the home.   These simple changes can eliminate many of the issues that sometimes come up with Feng Shui and bathrooms.
  Carefully balancing the positive and negative aspects of the  bathroom is the most important aspect of Feng Shui and bathroom design.  The fortunate part is that it can be done to encourage the best chi for your entire family.

                  Creating Balance in Your Life

  In every home, there is a room that is the oasis, the place where you can get away from it all. For most people, this room is the bathroom as it’s the only room in which you are completely alone. You might soak in the tub or you might decide to paint your toes or color your hair. In any case, the way you decorate your bathroom will determine the energetic feel of this room. By following some basic Feng Shui principles, you can begin to make this room even more appealing for your senses.
                       Regulating the Flow of Water

  The bathroom naturally has a lot of water energy flowing in and through it. As a result, the energy can be quite volatile if there is nothing to ground the water. However, many people believe that adding water scenes and colors to their bathroom improves the energy – not according to Feng Shui. What you will want to do is to keep some water energy (the sink, toilet, and bath tub are generally plenty) in place, but then you need to find ways to add other energies like earth and metal to the room. This way, you create balance, which is how you want to feel when you leave the bathroom.
                              The Colors of the Earth

 Ideally, you will want to add earth tones to your bathroom. Think about adding colors like rusty orange or a muted brown. These colors will not only add earth to the bathroom, but they will also begin to make the room feel warmer, more inviting. You might also want to look into muted reds and greens to help with the Feng Shui energy of grounding and earth.
  Some believe that white can be a good color for the bathroom, but only when used sparingly. While white is clean and soothing for some, it can be harshly sterile to others. Think about what feels good to you and follow the Feng Shui advice that seems to fit your style and energy.