Feng Shui Office Design Tips to Reduce Stress and Increase Productivity

Even the most productive individuals can have days where they feel scattered and unable to focus on their tasks. But while many people may just consider this as having an “off day,” the issue could be with the environment you’re working in.

One way to ensure you work in an environment that limits your stress and improves your productivity is to incorporate Feng Shui design into your working space. Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that’s regularly used to create relaxing environments that allow individuals to avoid many of the psychological triggers that contribute to anxiety and feelings of imbalance.

The great thing is that Feng Shui design principles aren’t just limited to anxiety therapy treatment centers or yoga studios. By following a few basic principles, you can make any space more enjoyable to be in while helping you stay on task.

Securing the Command Position

In Feng Shui, the “command position” is an important component of creating an optimal design layout for an office. It helps you to make smarter decisions as to where and how you position your working space, specifically when it comes to desk and office chair placement. 

The principle focuses on making the worker feel secure in their surroundings. The best way to do this is by having a solid wall at your back and having a clear view of the entryway to your office. Setting up your office this way can help you maintain a sense of security and control throughout the day, even if it’s subconsciously.

While not all office spaces can allow for a desk placement near a wall, another way to achieve the same goal is by strategically placing a mirror next to the desk. This helps to give a wider field of vision when working and avoids the feeling that someone could walk up on you without you knowing.

Regularly Declutter Your Workspace

Most people have heard the term, “a cluttered workspace leads to a cluttered mind.” But while some people give it little thought, in Feng Shui, clutter can quickly disrupt the flow of positive energy (“Chi”) and lead to a lack of focus and reduced mental clarity.

You should start by taking a few steps back and reviewing how your working area is laid out. Do you use everything on your desk regularly? Do you have adequate working space, or is your desk filled with decorative items or papers and folders you never need? If you see that the ratio of “working space” on your desk is much lower than unused items, it’s a good idea to make some adjustments. 

Another good idea is to set aside a certain amount of time – either at the end of the day or the end of the week – that’s dedicated to decluttering your working area. This doesn’t just include your desk, but should also be extended to your bookshelves or file cabinets to make sure you have a welcoming area to work the next time you’re in the office.

Think About Your Color Choices and Office Elements

The colors we choose for our homes or offices and other types of features can actually be influential on our moods and even the energy we have when working. In Feng Shui, the “Bagua” map breaks down how each of these design choices impacts individuals.

The Bagua divides spaces into different zones that represent different aspects of life. This includes things like career, health, knowledge, wealth, and prosperity. Each area has its own list of colors or elements that can contribute (or limit) aspects.

For example, water elements like a fountain or colors and artwork that portray water scenes are synonymous with helping with someone’s career choices. Earth tones, including brown or beige, symbolize being grounded and are associated with learning and taking in knowledge.

There are many different ways that the Bagua can be used to help you choose a color palette or design elements for your working space that compliment the areas of focus you want in your life.

Using the Healing Power of Nature

Nature is frequently used and referenced in Chinese culture. So it’s no surprise that elements of nature are heavily incorporated in Feng Shui’s design principles.

But this shouldn’t come as a surprise to most people since getting outdoors and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature can be a deeply calming experience for almost everyone. Feng Shui helps individuals bring this level of calming serenity into the workplace in a constructive and balanced way. This is why you’ll often see these same principles applied in couples therapy or trauma therapy offices.

Whenever possible, bringing in as much natural light as possible into the workplace can be a great way to increase productivity while reducing stress. When windows are not available, you should still make sure your office is adequately lit with bright, warm lighting while trying to avoid harsh artificial lighting if you can.

Another way you can bring nature into your workspace is by incorporating plants or a desktop fountain. Plants not only look great but help to purify the air indoors. The gentle sounds of flowing water can also bring a sense of tranquility and are a great way to promote more positive energy flows. 

Create the Right Ambiance

The ambiance you establish in your workplace can either help you improve your work performance or cause distractions and lead to a lack of motivation over time.

The key to establishing an office environment is to find the right balance between creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere without going overboard. You want to avoid feeling uncomfortable throughout the day, but you also don’t want to be put to sleep.

While smart lighting choices are a great place to start, you can also help improve your mood by using natural scents in an air diffuser. Different essential oils, like lavender, are great for promoting relaxation, while citrus oils are great for improving focus. In some offices, candles could even be incorporated to help bring in natural and softer lights, although you’ll want to be careful to avoid a fire hazard.

Make Your Office a Place You Enjoy to Work

To keep yourself motivated at work, it’s important to establish an optimal working environment. Using Feng Shui design principles, you can apply very simple tweaks and additions to your workspace that can give you great productivity returns while helping you keep your mental health in check and truly enjoy getting your work accomplished.

Author: Dr. Hannah Yang

Visionary and healthcare entrepreneur by passion, Licensed Psychologist by training, Dr. Hannah Yang loves creating new possibilities in the world of mental health and wellness. Dr. Yang established Balanced Awakening in 2015 as a niche psychotherapy practice for women. As Balanced Awakening flourishes in Chicago, and soon Miami, she also loves to tap into her passion for design and Feng Shui to create fabulous environments for herself, her team, and clients.

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