Nobody likes an unruly garden; it’s a space of growth and greens. It’s expected to get a little disorganized, but it doesn’t hurt to improve with the help of feng shui. Many gardeners and landscapers have adapted some principles of feng shui into their work; the same goes for interior designers. Although it might seem like a superstitious thing, its principles help create a space that’s comfortable and well-balanced. That’s something everybody deserves to have.
What Is Feng Shui?
Feng shui, or wind and water when translated literally in English, is the ancient practice of coordinating the living space, interactions of people, and the natural environment. Doing so optimizes qi or energy to flow freely and positively. Ultimately, it’s about harnessing nature for your gratification and prosperity without exploiting its gifts to you. It’s about working with it rather than against it.
Although there are many sources online regarding the placements and colors, other elements should be emphasized. With the guide of principles of landscape design, you can have a clearer understanding of which items you want to be part of your landscape.
To help you decide the most important qualities, here are some elements that you should consider in planning your landscape.
The Macro Elements
The first thing that meets the eyes is the bigger and more elaborate elements in a space. In arranging these elements, it’s important to weigh if anything is amiss. Sometimes when something seems off or misplaced, it can be bothersome to the eyes. Adjust your ornament, or consider transferring your potted shrubs to the side. You want your landscape to look natural yet well put together.
Scaling trees, plants, and other decorative items in relation to each other play a part in this, too. Don’t forget to experiment with dimensions. The measurements have corresponding meanings. Certain ones can mean wealth, sickness, nobility, and more. It might be too much to go around measuring each plant, ornament, etc. It just proves how intricate and intentional the art of feng shui is.
Speaking of arranging, the placement of trees and plants should be strategic. Think about the species you want and are suitable for your climate. Make sure that each one compliments the other. The shape of trees, rounded, spreading, or pyramid-like, should allow easy eye movement or complement the other elements around it. Different shapes have different significance and recommended directions in feng shui, so consider them while choosing the things you want in your space.
Lines, be they in the form of a pathway or a body of water, add design to a landscape. This disturbance on a plain landscape helps the eyes become more drawn to the space. As for your landscape’s path, rounder curves and turns are better than straight ones. The latter is often man-made and less suggestive of nature, according to the principles of feng shui.
Lastly, it must hold the quality of unity. With all the varying elements put together, there must be a sense of oneness rather than looking like different parts forced to mesh in one place.
The Micro Elements
Texture refers to the shapes, qualities, and tones of leaves, branches, and more. From vibrant green to sharp-edged leaves, these are attributes that add a little spice.
Speaking of vibrant green, here’s what to know about colors. Colors are often associated with different meanings, moods, and feelings. In feng shui, colors have meaning, too. White means clarity, while green means growth. Depending on the theme or story you plan to portray, you can choose to be strategic about the color arrangements on your landscape.
Other than these elements, there are general pointers you should be reminded of.
Make It as Hassle-free as You Can
Provide a space like a deck or a patio so that you and your loved ones can relax and enjoy the surroundings. To make the most of the space and the calm, avoid storing or leaving clutter around. This might even pile up and disturb the energy you worked hard to instill.
It cannot be entirely hassle-free; let’s be real. Plants will need some maintaining and care. In selecting which ones you want, consider the types that require low to medium maintenance, especially during winter. Consider the layout when getting maintenance services like removing snow.
Make It Inviting
Other than having space to relax in, keep your backyard inviting. This should apply not just to guests and friends, but to animals too, like bees and butterflies. A space that is full of life is a place to be.
The Big Picture
These aren’t what you’d call textbook rules of feng shui. These are suggestions to better decide how you want to layout and plan your landscape. Your preference and comfort are the important factors to a satisfying and beautiful landscape. Take your time, and study what you want to achieve.
