Chances are you’ve been tossing around the term feng shui for years...without ever truly understanding what the heck it is. (Guilty.) In a nutshell, feng shui (pronounced fung shway, BTW) is an ancient Chinese discipline that examines object placements and how they affect a home’s energy. Yet, beyond improving the energy of inanimate objects within the home, feng shui can also help reduce stress and anxiety while making you feel more grounded in your daily life. So, in the hopes of ridding our homes of any and all bad energy—and ending 2023 on the right foot—we tapped feng shui expert Laura Morris for a full breakdown of what goes into the practice, plus an essential guide to (properly) feng shui-ing your home.

Laura Morris is a Toronto-based feng shui educator, tarot card reader and co-founder of Mindful Design Feng Shui School. Morris has studied extensively in feng shui after earning her certification from the BTB Feng Shui Masters Training Program in 2014, and she’s the co-host of the Holistic Spaces Podcast, which offers accessible feng shui tips for your home.

“Qi (or chi) simply put is energy,” Morris explains. “It is an unseen force that flows all around us. Everything in feng shui is infused with Qi: You, me, a rock, a tree. The concept of Qi goes back to the earliest examples of Taoist texts about how to cultivate Qi (personal energy) for better health and longevity. While there is not a clear and direct translation into English the closest words to describe would be: breath, life force, vital energy, cosmic breath. It is the foundation of feng shui. Practitioners focus on improving the quality and flow of this energy through our built environments so we can thrive and prosper.”

Morris tells us that following the principals of feng shui at home can:

Morris says, “I am not a fan of using the term ‘bad feng shui’ because it can create judgment and fear. I prefer to see potential design issues as an opportunity to improve and grow. For example, a staircase that is positioned in line with the front door can mean a loss of resources. Feng shui is about paying attention and gaining insight; this example is a great way for someone to become more aware of how they use their energy or spend their money. And by addressing this in their home they become more mindful and can shift their mindset. There are a few simple ways to correct this flow of Qi: adding a rug and a well-placed entryway table, or hanging a feng shui crystal (a crystal prism ball made specifically to adjust the Qi) between the front door and the bottom of the stairs. One important thing to remember is that everyone's Qi is different and each of us is supported by different elements in a home. Rather than trying to ‘fix’ a problem, I would encourage you to see the positives in your space, like how your home shelters and supports you.”

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