If you want to incorporate Feng Shui principles into your backyard ideas, these top tips from the world’s best Feng Shui masters are a must-read. Take a look and let it go Chi to flow freely outdoors.
10 ways to incorporate feng shui into the garden
All Feng Shui principles work in conjunction with good landscape design practices, so applying them will give your modern garden a pleasing look, even if you don’t specifically describe Feng Shui.
“The external factors around our homes can affect us just as much as what happens inside,” says Giulia Sarasola. (Opens in a new tab)Founder of Sarasola Interiors. “An easy way to start planning your garden according to Feng Shui is to first assess the space you have and where things are.”
Think with flow, calculate what features are there, and imagine how you can create conscious and organic paths that invite Chi (or energy) to cycle the entire area, Julia says. This can be done with plant placement, how to prune and maintain existing plants, or even false stone patios and driveways. You can also create intentional seating areas, water features, or an herb garden in pockets that may feel deserted.
1. Introduce the five elements
(Image credit: Yardzen)
To a large extent, the Feng Shui principles that you use to design an indoor space can be applied to an outdoor space as well. (Opens in a new tab). ‘flow Chi It is just as important in your outdoor space as it is inside your home.
The five elements help guide the design of your garden, and represent types of Chi That connects us to the rhythm of nature and the seasons,” says Laura. “Wood symbolizes trees and green plants, fire can be represented by a fire pit, earth by rock and hard stone, metal by swirling wind chimes or white flowering plants, and finally, water can be represented by a water feature or patio furniture.”
2. Add a winding path
(Image credit: Lisa Breeze)
If you are wondering how to plan a modern garden, one of the big elements of Feng Shui is to have a meandering path.
There is no straight path to the main door; Make sure it is crispy to slow down Chisays Gary Hooks (Opens in a new tab), the founder of Mr. Feng Shui. Imagine you’ve had a stressful day as well as a stressful journey home, and you need the end of your journey from the curb/road to your door to be as long and gentle as possible. While walking on a curved path, you can catch a glimpse of the beautifully maintained flowers, bushes, and trees. This way you eliminate most of the stress before you even walk through the door. It prevents you from bringing in bad energy.
“Break linearity with winding, winding paths to create an opportunity to invite movement and flexibility in your garden,” says Feng Shui consultant Anjie Cho. (Opens in a new tab). Interestingly, according to Chinese mythology, ghosts have very hard bodies and can only jump in a straight line. Therefore, Chinese gardens are traditionally created with winding paths and bridges so that ghosts cannot follow you.
3. Consider a mix of plants of different textures and sizes
(Image credit: Stacy Zarin Goldberg. Studio credit Richardson & Associates Landscape Architecture)
If you are confused about how to choose plants for your garden according to Feng Shui, the answer is a healthy mix of greens.
Use solid elements such as retaining walls, paths, boulders, and patio stone to help direct flow Chi All over outer space, says Laura. Adding round and curved garden beds will also help soften FI.’
It is important for Chi To be able to flow into space without being blocked. “This applies to both outdoors and indoors alike,” says Laura. For plant materials, mix them with different textures, sizes, and groupings as this will help create a more harmonious space. Try to avoid sharp corners, straight lines, and monotonous patterns.
4. Add a wind chime
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“When it comes to feng shui,” Angie says, “feng” means wind, and “shui” means water. To bring in the wind element, choose elements that express movement and not just static. These allow for the free flow of Chi. You can express the wind element through wind chimes placed in certain areas of the garden. Make sure you like the sound of it before you insert it. It’s also a great sound offering to train your ears away from noise like neighbors or traffic, perfect for an urban park.
“You can also express the wind element through windmills like pinwheels,” says Angie. “Consider plants like creeping willows or daffodils, too, because they move gently with the wind.”
5. Plant plants that evoke the five senses
(Image source: Al Alami)
Add to your porch or patio garden aesthetics (and even functionality) with citrus plants, flowers, and evergreens. “Citrus plants symbolize abundance and good luck,” says Jane Langoff. (Opens in a new tab)Founder of Feng Shui Concepts. Roses represent love, happiness and success. Peonies symbolize wealth, honor and romance. Orchids represent fertility, abundance and prosperity. Chrysanthemums represent longevity, joy and happiness. Marigolds symbolize good luck and positive energy. Plants such as jade, also known as the “money plant”, are considered an attraction to the well-being of the family. Jade plants are ideal because they can hold water, which symbolizes wealth.
“It’s important to choose plants suitable for the specific location of the garden, keeping in mind the amount of sunlight and water required,” Jane adds. Healthy and thriving plants symbolize abundance while sick and dying plants bring negative energy into a space.
Jane continues, “When choosing plants, also consider the five senses and aim to create a pleasant scent with flowering plants like gardenia or fragrant leaves like lemon myrtle.” “If your plants attract beautiful birds, bees, and butterflies, that will also boost positive energy in your garden.”
6. Install the water flow feature
(Image credit: Paul Reside)
For a sensory garden that is in line with feng shui principles, a water feature is a must.
Great way to promote free flow of Chi in the garden by incorporating flowing water features such as fountains or streams. Water is an important feng shui element, and the water feature can help circulate energy and promote a sense of calm in a garden. Water must be kept clean and well maintained, as stagnant or dirty water will bring negative energy into the garden. It is also crucial to ensure that the water feature is placed correctly according to the rules of feng shui, as water amplifies energy regardless of whether it is positive or negative. A reputable feng shui master can help you with the correct placement in your garden.
“Always make sure the water feature is well managed and clean,” says Anjie. Also, if the water is not flowing or is stagnant, it may obstruct the flow of water Chi“.
7. Make sure the garden is free of clutter
(Image credit: Rien Van Rijthoven. Studio credit: Geddes Ulinskas)
For the most peaceful, serene, and welcoming porch, backyard, or balcony garden, make sure the space is forever clean, clutter-free, and well-maintained.
‘It is important to avoid clutter and obstacles in the garden, as they can impede flow ChiJane says. Clutter can include excessive garden decorations, broken objects, or unused furniture, while obstructions can be anything from overgrown plants to poorly placed items like walls or fences. To ensure the free flow of ChiIt is recommended to keep the park neat and tidy, and to ensure that the paths are clear and easy to navigate.
“If you’re just starting out, try to be hands-on with what you can manage,” says Julia. “I would urge you to think of your outdoor space and garden as a true extension of your home,” says Julia. Piling up, piling up, and holding on to clutter outside the home can be a literal roadblock that makes it hard for you to clean up Chi To enter your space. This can lead to feelings of distress, as well as a lack of resources, opportunities, and abundance flowing in your direction.
8. Decorate the garden with lights and lanterns
(Image credit: Ellie MRoz Design)
Add to your modern garden lighting ideas by introducing the principles of Feng Shui. Consider adding outdoor lighting to a water feature, seating, or even along a garden path.
“Lighting is a great way to enhance and illuminate a beautiful garden,” says Julia. This can be achieved by hanging string lights, lighting up trees, placing solar lights along walkways, adding lanterns and candles to sitting and seating areas, or by sparkly objects that dance and reflect light across your space.
9. Avoid spiky plants
(Image credit: Fletcher and Co.
According to Feng Shui, there are few plants to avoid growing in your garden, as these will not only hinder the aesthetics of the outdoors, but also the flow of energy.
“Plants with thorny or sharp leaves such as yucca are best avoided in feng shui,” Jane says. These plants can be detrimental to the flow of positive energy.
Another category of plants that are usually considered undesirable in feng shui are bonsai. These miniature trees are grown in containers, with stunted and unnatural growth they can bring negative energy. Not recommended for indoors either.
10. Balancing the yen and the yen
(Image credit: Whit Preston. Studio Credit Tim Cuppett Architects)
To have a beautiful, healthy, colorful or tropical garden, there needs to be balance in the way all the elements are placed, grown or displayed.
To achieve the free flow of Chi In the garden, aim to balance the yin and yang elements. Yin and Yang refer to the balance of opposing elements found in nature. Yin represents softer, more passive elements such as plants and curves, while yang represents harder, more active elements such as rocks, water features, and straight lines. A balance between yin and yang can be achieved by integrating the hard lines and features of garden paths with the softness of planting. Using a mixture of tall and short plants eg. Trees and tree planting also create a sense of balance in the garden.
