It is vital that you have a good workspace setup in order to be productive and comfortable at your work. Whether you're working in your home office, a work office, or a shared cubicle, you spend a great deal of time behind your office desk. As such, you should ensure that your desk and work setup is designed in such a way that it enhances focus, creativity and offers the comfort of the mind.
One way to make your work environment less stressful and more productive is to use Feng Shui- an ancient Chinese art of creating a space in harmony with the environment. The practice of Feng Shui involves arranging items according to the flow of energy, which helps boost productivity, attract good luck and invoke a good feeling on all levels, i.e., mind, body, and soul.
The Feng Shui of your work setup is an integral part of productivity and success. So add a little bit more zing to your desk's energy by following these simple steps and get productive in no time.
Understand Feng Shui
Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is an ancient Chinese practice believed to have originated in China over 3000 years ago. Feng Shui is a combination of two words, “wind” (feng) and “water” (shui). This ancient practice is based on the idea that everything in an individual’s surrounding environment affects their inner life. It involves strategically arranging physical objects in your space to attract positive energy.
Feng Shui experts believe that the arrangement of objects in space affects the flow of vital energy or life force (chi) within the space. Therefore, positive energy is only possible if there's good chi flowing. Feng Shui encompasses five elements that determine the flow of chi and, ultimately, positive energy. These elements include fire, wood, water, earth, and metal. All these elements need to be balanced to attract energy.
Feng Shui is still very much practiced in Asian-Pacific countries, including Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, and Singapore. The practice has also become pretty popular globally, especially in Western countries, thanks to its proven benefits.
Getting Started: How to Feng Shui Your Office Desk and Work Setup
This article will focus on the benefits of taking small steps to Feng Shui your standard office setup. From desk orientation to incorporating specific colors and even decorating with plants - there are many ways you can spruce up or transform a drab space into something more inspiring! It's easy-peasy and cheap if you know where to start when it comes time for an upgrade in your work area!
Office Desk Orientation
According to the art of Feng Shui, your office desk should be positioned in the "power position"-the furthest spot from the room entrance. This is because your desk placement significantly affects your motivation and inspiration to get things done. Therefore, you would want to place your desk at the power position for best results, i.e., facing the front door to your office. If you’re working in a shared office space, orient the desk in such a way that it faces the main door.
The power position also referred to as the commanding position, offers some great benefits. According to Feng Shui principles, by facing the front door, you're able to literally spot opportunities as they come to your career. However, facing the wall with your back pointed towards the door is not an ideal sitting position. This position leaves you vulnerable to developing anxiety and leaves room for constant interruptions each time someone unexpectedly enters the office. Therefore, the optimum position for your office desk should be directly opposite, but facing the office door.
Desk Shape
Even before you think of your office desk placement, you'll need to think of an ideal desk shape that works perfectly with your office space. Office desks come in different shapes and sizes, which determine the functionality and ergonomics of the desk. You have to think about what you really want in a desk in relation to the optimal reach zone.
Your chosen desk should not be too big for the office space or so small that the desktop space isn’t sufficient to hold your office equipment, materials, and paperwork. Interior decorators who practice Feng Shui would recommend rectangular L-shaped office desks or kidney-shaped desks as the most ideal desk designs. Standing desks are also a great ergonomic choice, but you should ensure that they are well-positioned according to Feng Shui principles.
Desk Colour and Material
Feng Shui is all about the flow of energy within a space. The color and material of an office desk significantly affect Feng Shui. When choosing an ideal office desk, you'll want to go for colors and materials that incorporate the five elements of Feng Shui. Generally, a heavy and solid brown wood desk is a key recommendation for Feng Shui. Glass desks are discouraged; they are fragile, and their breakage may be seen as bad luck, literally translated as causing things to fall in your life.
Different colors and materials play different roles in Feng Shui. Brown, neutrals, oranges, or yellow colors on wood or painted composite materials depict stability, happiness, and good times. Black on metal or painted wood symbolize water elements or otherwise networking. Red on wood or composites symbolizes fire for inspiration, while green and blue on wood or composites characterize wood, else seen as career growth. Efficiency and clarity are symbolized by white, grey, and metallic colors on metal or wood/composites. With this in mind, you can choose your preferred desk color and material based on what energies you want to bring out to your office.
Place Feng Shui Objects on Your Office Desk
You can place some Feng Shui-inspired elements on your office desk to bring in different energies based on the principles of ancient Chinese philosophy. Some objects you could try out include:
Water and plant elements- Feng Shui experts believe that placing water features and plants in your workspace creates positive energy. You can place a live plant on your desk, a water fountain, or an aquarium in your office to create positive energy. This can even enhance the air quality in the office.
Placing a shiny ceramic mug on your office desk brings about the energies of earth, i.e., stability and self-care, into the room. Ensure that the mug is well placed to avoid getting knocked off and that it's cleaned regularly to maintain its shiny appearance.
Place a crystal on your office desks to bring about the energies of metal, i.e., light, clarity, sharpness, and precision. A crystal object keeps you motivated, always reminding you to stay focused on your goals and to finish what you started.
You can also place artworks or award plaques on your office desk to bring about the energies of fire, depicting positivity and upward mobility.
Desk Arrangement
To Feng Shui your office desk, you should arrange it in such a way that it promotes the flow of positive energy. Based on the Feng Shui energy map, the office desk surface is divided into nine areas, each signifying a vital aspect of your life. These areas are:
Front Quadrant Right- Career
The front quadrant right of your desk represents your career and professional life. In this region, you'll want to place your diploma, awards, inspiring quotes, or your professional picture. Always keep this region free of clutter.
Left Central Section-Family
The left central section represents family. You can place a framed photo of your family or loved one(s) in this spot. As a recommendation, you’ll want to place the family photo in a wood frame in line with Feng Shui principles.
Right Center- Creativity
Bring about your creative energy by placing a blank sketchbook, a book, or a journal at the right-center of the grid.
Bottom Left Corner- Wisdom
The bottom left corner of the desktop represents wisdom. You can place books, reference books,right-center, or other study materials in this place to set free your spiritual and intellectual growth.
Bottom Right Corner- Travel and People
This spot represents access to help people in your life and travel experiences. Here you can place your contact book, city map, address book, travel guides, or a photo of your dream destination.
Upper Right Corner- Romance and Love
If your guilty pleasure is love and romance, the upper right corner is set for you. Here you can place objects that symbolize love, including a fresh rose flower, a photo of your partner, or a sentimental piece that your partner got you that you’d love to display as a symbol of love.
Upper left corner- Wealth.
The upper left corner is all about wealth and prosperity. This spot is suitable for a functional computer, a valuable item such as a crystal vase, a piggy bank, or a potted plant.
Upper Section Center- Success and Fame
The center of the upper section of your desk represents fame and success. On this spot, you'll want to place business cards, nameplates, or any other motivational images that highlight your accomplishments, i.e., your diploma or a picture of your graduation, academic recognition, sports awards, etc.
Central Section- Health
The central section of your desktop should depict your health, which trumps all else. Keep this spot free of clutter to attract good energy and facilitate uninterrupted energy flow for great vigor and balance.
Other Tips to Bring Feng Shui to Your Office
- Choose the right office chair.
- Hang inspiring images and objects in your office space
- Avoid clutter as much as you can
- Avoid furniture or objects with sharp angles
- Infuse your office with uplifting, natural scents to promote focus and relaxation
- Keep your office space clean and windows open
- Allows natural light into the office.
Esben Standing Desk UD4- A Desk that Fits Your Success
If you’re considering an office desk that meets the principles of Feng Shui, the Esben Standing Desk UD4 is a great option. This rectangular-shaped standing desk will keep you productive, allowing you to seamlessly alternate between standing and sitting and overcome the detrimental effects of prolonged sitting.
This Feng Shui office desk is clean, minimalistic, and with minimal aesthetics allowing you to focus on more important things. What's more, its unique design with tasteful wood material and brown color finish brightens your mood, allowing the positive flow of energy in line with Feng Shui principles. The desk is elegant, blending rustic elements with a modern look and achieving a beautifully finished masterpiece. It's also comfy and flexible, incorporating modern features such as a built-in USB port and an integrated storage drawer.
To say the least, the Esben Standing Desk is the ultimate office desk if you're looking to Feng Shui your office space and invoke positive energy flow for even greater success.
The Takeaway
Achieving Feng Shui on your office desk and workspace doesn't have to be complex. It's the little things that you do that matter. You can easily Feng Shui your office space by carrying out simple activities such as placing your office desk in the power position, choosing the right office desk such as the Esben Standing Desk, and arranging your desktop according to the Bagua map. Feng Shui will enhance the flow of energy in your workspace, bringing better balance, organization, and success at work. Try it out today by following the guidelines discussed above and add positivity to your life.
