It’s been an exciting week at Buchanan Public Relations – we’ve moved into our new office in Bryn Mawr. Actually, today is our first day in the new space.
So as we’re all busy unpacking and getting settled in, it seemed appropriate to focus this blog post on office feng shui.
We all know the tremendous impact that our surrounding environments play on our wellbeing and state of mind. In the workplace, especially, where we spend so much of our time, don’t we owe it to ourselves to have a well-designed and organized workspace?
But feng shui is about more than just making sure your space is aesthetically pleasing and that things are in the right place; it’s designing and placing belongings in order to provoke a deeper psychological response.
With a clean slate and the smell of fresh paint and new carpet still lingering in the air, I, for one, plan to put some of these feng shui principles into action. Hopefully they’ll inspire you, too.
Placing your desk: Feng shui experts say that ideally your desk should be placed directly opposite from the front door of your office. If that’s not possible, place a small mirror on your desk to reflect the office’s entrance. The rationale? It’s a commanding position. This arrangement offers protection and symbolizes seeing opportunities that present themselves to you throughout your career.
Arranging your belongings on your desk: The first step is taking the time to keep your desk surface organized and decluttered. But beyond that, where you place your belongings can have a big impact on your mental outlook. Here are a few pointers.
- Place a plant or a valuable item on the back left corner of your desk. It represents prosperity.
- Put your business cards or nameplate in the center, back position on your desk. This position represents fame and reputation.
- The right, center position is dedicated to creativity. Any piece of art or decoration that evokes creativity can be placed there. But, for instance, if you’re a writer, this is the ideal place to put a book or journal.
Lighting: The ideal office lighting, according to feng shui principles, should be soft. Take advantage of natural light wherever possible. Brightly lit lights can cause glare as well as promote irritability.
Artwork and imagery: Surround yourself with images and objects that inspire creativity and productivity. Add flowers, art and personal photos. Hang mottos and images that symbolize your aspirations. Choose furniture and accessories that represent prosperity, abundance and success.
Color choices: Different colors have different meanings. Choose splashes of color that represent your personality, the type of work you do and career goals. For instance, red and purple represent vitality, and are good choices for attracting new business. Yellow, on the other hand, evokes tranquility and positivity, making it an ideal color to offset a dark space or counteract a surrounding area that’s chaotic and loud.
If you’re looking for more feng shui office design tips, there are an abundance of resources on the Internet. Here are a couple of good ones I found.
- Increase Office Success With Feng Shui
- Feng Shui Office Design to Increase Your Prosperity
- Using Feng Shui at Work: Private Offices and Cubicles
Here’s to a healthy, happy and successful work life!