Classical Feng Shui - Designed for good luck

TO ENSURE that your house gets a good flow of energy or qi, it is important for the interior layout to allow plenty of sunlight in. At the same time, this will facilite the diffusion of the qi.
The porch and awnings of the house should not be extended out too much, as they may block out sunlight, making the interior space dark.
If the house is heavily ­partitioned, you should leave as many doors open as possible (­except toilet doors). Open ­courtyards or airwells are ­encouraged.
The area of the house ­immediately after the main door should be large and spacious.
The floor should also be on a level ­platform. A slight ­difference in height is acceptable, but not too much.
The ceiling should also be level, and preferably not slanted. While overhead beams are unavoidable, they should not be too low, nor directly over important spaces within the house such as the stove, beds, dining table, etc.
If that is unavoidable, you could ­rectify bumpy or slanted ceilings, or ­overhead beams by making a false ­ceiling.
But make sure that the false ceiling is not too low or it will make the occupants feel oppressed.
The living room should be wide and spacious, and receive a lot of sunlight. It should also not be cluttered.
So avoid placing a large sofa set or a big screen TV if your living space is small.
The stove in the kitchen must have a solid wall for ­backing. The stove should also not have a ­water feature, such as a wash basin directly at the back or in the front of it.
In general, ‘water’ objects such as a basin, fridge or ­washing machine should not be near the stove. They should be at least a metre or more away from it.
Also, you should be able to see the stove from the living area.
Finally, the kitchen and stove should not be in the northwest sector of the house, as it will not be good for the head of the household.
Take note that if your house has a basement, it is not particularly favoured in feng shui.
While it is fine to be used as a cellar or a storeroom, it should not be used as a bedroom at all.
As for the landing of a staircase, it should not be placed near or directly facing the main door. Neither should it face the toilet door.
The ancients believe that such an alignment will make it difficult for the occupants to accumulate wealth.
The staircase should also not be in the centre of the house, as it will lead to a lack of ­family unity.
Having the staircase in the north or northwest sector is also frowned upon, at it may hurt the head of the household.
To counter this, the stairs’ area should be brightly lit. You should also not sit in the space under the staircase.
Since we spend a lot of time in the bedroom, we should pay particular attention to the layout.
The bedroom should be of a regular shape. The bed must be placed against a solid wall but don’t set it against a wall shared with either the stove or the toilet.
The ancients believe that this can cause ­miscarriages and nightmares.
If your bedroom is ­upstairs, make sure that the bed is not directly above the stove.
Also check and make sure that the bed is not directly under a toilet, below an overhead beam, hanging cupboard or staircase.
Make sure the toilet doors are closed when not in use, and do not sit or sleep very close to the toilet.
Mirrors should not be facing the bed. So, a large Playboy ­mansion-style mirror over the bed is definitely out!
The ancients also believed that doors in the house should not face each other. Based on my study, the ‘no door facing’ guide is to prevent the loss of qi in the house.
Make sure that the doors and windows in a house are not aligned or else qi will rush through the house (venturi effect) without stopping to be diffused through the house.
On the placement rules for the Chinese ancestral altar, it should be at the facing side of the house, ­usually in the living room area.
This altar should be placed facing the bedroom door. It should not be placed under the toilet or under the stairs or even a water feature, like a fountain and an overhead beam. And ­finally it should not face a corner.
You are also encourage to light incense, which the ancients believe can counter the sha, or affliction.
Finally, the house should be neat and spacious, and cleaned regularly. Reduce clutter and do not allow dust and other ­allergens to gather.
Henry Fong is an electronic engineer by qualification and he approaches feng shui with the same analytical and investigative approach he uses in his training. Readers can contact him at lifestyle.henryfong@thesundaily.com.