The Key to Creating a Balanced Home

By Erica Sofrina, author of Small Changes, Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western World

Have you ever been in a room that didn’t feel good to be in but you couldn’t figure out what was wrong? Chances are the Yin/Yang components were out of balance.

Yin and Yang is at the foundation of the Ancient Practice of Feng Shui. It has to do with the recognition that the universe is made up of opposite forces of energy which cannot exist without each other and, together, create perfect balance.

Feng Shui acknowledges that we are ancient creatures who naturally seek balance. If our living and work spaces don’t feel good, our lives feel out of whack as well. By learning to work with the Yin and Yang components in our homes, we create the right amount of activity and restfulness in each room and our homes just feel like they work!

Each of us are drawn to a difference balance of Yin and Yang. Some of us resonate more with darker, detailed, cushy and cozy spaces and others gravitate towards more Zen spaces with simplicity of line and lack of detail. Regardless of our personal preferences, our living and work spaces need to have both Yin and Yang components in order for us to truly feel really good in them.

Yin/Yang Symbol

The Yin/Yang symbol  depicts two fish gliding together in perfect balance, each  carrying components of the other; the black fish with the white eye and the white fish with the black eye. The two swim together in perfect harmony creating a circle, the most ancient symbol depicting wholeness

The concept of Yin refers to the feminine principle, which is passive, dark and yielding. Yang refers to the male principle, which is bright, active and extroverted.

Yin Rooms and How to Make them Restful

In this room used for rest and rejuvenation, we use more ' Yin' features.

Yin rooms are the places you want the energy to calm down to support rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. These would be bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, possibly family rooms (depending upon the use) bathrooms and any other room you want to be more restful.

If these rooms are too active, such as a bright, Yang Children’s or adult’s bedroom, you will most likely find  that no one will sleep well in it. If this is the case you can add more Yin objects and colors to calm it down and tip the scales to make it more restful than active. (See my articles on  Feng Shui for Adult Bedrooms, Feng Shui for Children’s Rooms and Teen’s Bedrooms)

Yin Objects

In physical environments Yin objects would be: circular shapes, muted colors, lower ceilings, furniture low to the ground,  upholstered furniture, rugs and carpeting.

Yin colors: darker, muted colors and earth tones. Fabrics: anything soft and cushy like chenille, velvet or corduroy. Patterns: anything detailed and intricate.  Plants with circular-shaped leaves (as opposed to spikey ones) will all add Yin features. Yin art work would be that depicting nature and/or calming, restful scenes. In terms of  building materials; adobe, brick and stucco would be considered more Yin.

The period in history that most depicted Yin environments would be the Victorian period with it’s dark velvets and ornate furniture, overstuffed, and low to the ground. Louis the XIV and  XV  and the Baroque era’s also incorporated more Yin features in building interiors and exteriors.

Next: How to Create Active ‘Yang’ Spaces