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For centuries, the idea of Feng Shui has guided many homemakers in their design and decoration decisions. This ancient Chinese philosophy about balance and harmony can be practised through a number of pathways, and feng shui lighting is one of them.
In this article, we’ll explore feng shui home lighting and how to incorporate it into your home.
What Is the Role of Feng Shui in Lighting?
Feng shui is an old Chinese practise that centers around the movement of energy in a room. It translates to “wind” and “water,” which is symbolic of energy’s movements through a location. Feng shui elements guide the energies of the room. With this in mind, every element in a room–such as colour, shape, placement and style–can affect the energy flow in a room.
The “fire” element in feng shui comes into play through lighting. Much like fire illuminates a room, so too does modern lighting. When it’s lit up, it is thought to help balance yin and yang, the calming and energizing energies in the world.
The goal of feng shui lighting is to help move the energies comfortably through the room while also making it more aesthetically pleasing. When you thoughtfully place lighting, you can promote the energy flow in feng shui. As a bonus, you can also incorporate it as decorative wall lighting.
LED Wall Lights and Their Connection to the Five Elements
Interior wall lights for feng shui are an easy way to incorporate this philosophy into your space. Through wall lights, you can incorporate the elements of feng shui into your space.
Wood Element
In Feng Shui, wood is associated with vitality, creativity and growth. When trying to bring wood into the home, choosing indoor wall lighting made from wood or similar natural materials can help. Place them in areas that you need to stimulate creativity and productivity, such as in a library or a home office.
Fire Element
Fire is representative of transformation, energy and passion. Choosing wall sconces that shine warm lighting can bring the fire element into the space. Uplighter wall lights are especially good for this, as upward pointing lights simulate flames in a way. They are ideal for use in dining rooms or living rooms, as they can encourage communication and positive flow of energy.
Water Element
Water represents emotional depth, abundance and fluidity. Choosing cool lights with soft whites and blues as a part of your feng shui design can help promote this. Lights inspired by water, such as curvy, serpentine and other such shapes bring water into your feng shui set up. This element is particularly well-suited for bedrooms, bathrooms and other relaxing areas.
Metal Element
Representing strength, precision and clarity, metal is a good energy element for discipline and focus. Choose fixtures in bold metallic finishes like silver, gold or brass. Place them in offices and study rooms where you want to prioritise focus above all.
Earth Element
Earth symbolizes nourishment, grounding and stability. Choosing earth tones like soft neutrals, yellows and browns can invoke this element. Fixtures that are made from stone or ceramic also work well in this regard. Place earthy lights in rooms where you want to feel grounded, like meditation areas and bedrooms.
Best Placement of Interior Wall Lighting for Energy Flow
Feng shui Indoor wall light placement is crucial if you want to get the energy flow right. When you strategically place your wall lighting, you can send illumination to certain parts of the room. Through this, you can calm or energize the room depending on your preference.
Hallways and Entryways
Since the entry is the first place guests arrive, feng shui hallway lighting really matters here. The entrance should feel both welcoming and energizing, and you can accomplish that by placing your lights thoughtfully.
Tips:
- Use soft, warm LED lights with an even diffusion around the room
- Choose wall sconces that have a soft glow for moving energy into the home
- Avoid using any lights that are too bright or too dim
Living Rooms
In living rooms, guest spaces and family gathering areas, it is important to foster a social and welcoming environment. Using the right lighting, you can stimulate conversations, enhance relaxation and boost the overall mood. Be strategic in your placement of lighting and use it to draw the eye to key features.
Tips:
- Place wall lights on either side of a feature to highlight it and enhance the flow of energy
- Use adjustable wall sconces to shine light where you prefer it
- Avoid placing lights right above seating areas so you don’t create an overbearing energy source
Bedrooms
In a bedroom, you want to promote relaxation and rejuvenation above all. Using soft, warm lighting is a good start.
Tips:
- Place the lights symmetrically, such as on either side of the bed, for balanced energy
- Install dimmable wall lighting to adjust the mood and brightness level at any time
- Don’t place bright lights above the bed
Kitchens
Kitchens need to be bright and energetic since they are such task heavy areas. Use wall lights that at once illuminate the space and bring about more positive energy flow throughout it.
Tips:
- Put wall mounted lights above workspaces such as countertops to direct illumination to task-heavy spaces
- Consider adjustable sconces to be used in dark corners to ensure no unwanted shadows are there
- Use soft lights in dining areas, like kitchen breakfast bars, to make the atmosphere more comfortable for mealtimes
The Feng Shui Energy Map and Lighting These Areas
With feng shui, certain areas in the home are thought of as energy centers. These centers take priority above others when it comes to lighting. Each of them correspond to different areas of one’s life, such as the career, relationships, health and prosperity.
North: Career Area
The northern locations in the home are thought to be the career areas in feng shui. In this zone, the water element is prioritised since it represents flow, movement and success.
To light the career area, use LED wall lights with cooler tones. Cool lighting helps promote focus and concentration, while the bluish colour fits with the water element. Reflective surfaces such as mirrors can help move light around the room and “amplify” career growth.
Southwest: Relationship Area
This area is representative of relationships and love. This area is represented by Earth, promoting nourishment, stability and grounding.
Lights in the relationship zone should be soft and warm, promoting a more welcoming and inviting feel. Prioritising symmetry is also good, to help give a sense of balance to the room and relationships. Dimmable interior wall lights provide a more intimate feel, which can promote romance and closeness.
Central: Health Area
The central zone of a home is the health area, representing balance and vitality. In feng shui standards, it is good to make this space vibrant and lively. Use natural, bright lighting when possible, and avoid harsh illumination. Choose earthy tones like neutral hues, terracotta or brown colours to create a more stable environment.
Southeast: Wealth
The wealth area is connected to wealth, prosperity and abundance. It uses the wood element above all. Choose wood-inspired lighting with natural finishes to bring this element in. Focus lighting on major symbols as wealth, such as plants, artwork and luxury items.
South: Fame
The southern area of the home represents fame and reputation. It is governed by the fire element and works well with lights that are warm and bright. Directional wall lighting is a must, so you can shine the light where you need it most. Accent lighting over trophy shelves or personal plaques are a good idea.
Northeast: Knowledge and Wisdom
This area of the home surrounds knowledge, personal growth and education. Use focused lighting in study areas, like reading nooks and desks. Soft, warm lighting over bookshelves and displays are a great idea.
How to Use Wall Lighting to Highlight Feng Shui Symbols
Using feng shui principles to balance lighting design is an easy way to incorporate this philosophy into your home. There are many symbols in feng shui, such as symbols of
- prosperity
- relationships
- spirituality
- health
- reputation
- Symbols of prosperity include coins, vases, artwork and other elements of wealth and growth. Use warm, inviting lighting that shines directly onto these symbols to highlight them.
- Soft, diffused lighting placed on crystals, pink toned items and heart shaped objects can promote healthier relationship energy.
- Spiritual symbols like lotus flowers and Buddhas are good to highlight for wisdom-focused spaces. Choose subtle, soothing lighting over these symbols. Opt for directional lighting to give you control over where the light shines, and try to place more light at the center of the room for a sense of balance.
- Health symbols can be crystals, plants and other such items. Drawing attention to them using natural soft lighting that is not too harsh is a good plan.
- REPUTATION AND FAME. Signs of reputation and fame could include trophies, awards and certificates. Create an accent wall that highlights these items for a better reputation.
How to Illuminate Transitional Spaces in the Home With Feng Shui Lighting
Interior wall lighting in transitional spaces, such as corridors, stairways and hallways, are important. These areas are crucial for moving energy throughout the main areas of the home. With proper transitional lighting, you can make the energy in the central spots more effective in terms of feng shui as well.
Modern feng shui lighting can be incorporated into hallways and corridors using soft, warm lights. Keeping them neutral promotes balance by moving different energy types from various areas of the home through the space. To achieve lighting for good energy in transitional spaces, be sure the light is evenly distributed in hallways.
Lighting a staircase will also require use of some wall lighting for ambiance. You can light the staircase from a central point, and then supplement the lighting with more wall lights up and down the staircase. Once again, be sure to light the space evenly. Not only does this move the light through the stairwell, but it can make it safer to travel as well.
How to Enhance Well-Used Areas of the Home With Feng Shui Lighting
One of the best feng shui lighting tips anyone can give you is to light up your most used areas in the home. You want to create a healthy balance in your workspaces, entertainment areas and relaxation zones. To do so, you should choose lighting that enhances the kind of energy you want to promote.
This can be accomplished through minimalist indoor wall lighting. In a kitchen, otherwise called the heart of the home, this lighting is crucial. Placing bright, functional lighting over food prep areas is a must. Try to avoid any harsh lighting and glares to make the space more comfortable. Opt for natural, warm lighting when possible.
In the living room, create a sense of relaxation and rest with layered lighting. Accent lighting for interior walls, nice ambient lighting and task lighting can work together to create a more well-balanced and relaxed space. Illuminate any areas where you spend the most time relaxing, such as chairs and couches.
In the office, you can promote focus and productivity through feng shui lighting. Choose cool, white lighting that is energizing and vibrant. Light up desks, bookcases and other productive areas of the space for best results.
How to Balance Yin and Yang With Interior Wall Lighting
Yin and yang are two elements prominent in feng shui. Yin represents softness, stillness and passivity. Yang is related to activity, movement and brightness. It is believed that a balance of these two elements is key to a peaceful existence.
The best way to achieve balance in lighting is to layer the lights. This includes accent, task and ambient lighting. With these lights in each room, you can promote a feeling of balance and comfort which aligns yin and yang.
Ambient lighting is closely tied to yang energies. This is the general, overall lighting in a space. Ceiling lights or bright, wall mounted lights make for great yang-focused ambient light.
Task lighting is also yang-centered. Choose sources of direct lights such as lamps, spotlights and track lights to create the task lighting layer.
Accent lighting is represented by yin. This is because it promotes softness and warmth. The dimmer lighting is good for creating serene locations that you can more easily relax in.
Feng Shui Lighting Ideas
Create soft, warm lighting in your home with the LWA440 2 Watt LED Up and Down Wall Light. This wall light generates 140 lumens of 3000K warm white light that makes it a good accent and task light fixture. It comes in your choice of either white or black finishing the durable alumnium body. Overall, this light measures 470 millimeters in height.
Promote softer, well-balanced illumination in a room with the LWA387 5 Watt Hexagonal Interior LED Wall Light. This downlight outputs 430 lumens of 3000K warm white light that washes the wall behind it at a 30 degree beam angle. This modern, hexagonal light is fashioned out of high quality aluminium that comes in your choice of either black or white. It measures 120 millimeters in height by 104 millimeters in width.
The LWA466 6 Watt Black and Gold Interior LED Wall Light is a beautiful accent light for use in any room of the house. The light generates 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light that shines softly back on the wall. It is able to be mounted horizontally or vertically depending on your preference. This light is fashioned out of high quality aluminium and finished in black with a sleek gold brushed rim. It measures 600 millimeters in height.
Move energy throughout the room with the LWA304 6 Watt Round Decorative LED Wall Light. These wall lights generate 600 lumens of 3000K warm white light that is softened by the acrylic diffuser. It is crafted out of durable aluminium and finished in either black or white to suit your tastes. Overall, the fixture measures 120 millimeters in diameter.
