During my younger days, I used to read books on feng shui. It was one of my mom's favourite reads during her pastime. So there were lots of feng shui books for me to pore through. Fast forward 20 years, I am now waiting for my second matrimonial home to be ready by 2017 and will be incorporating some feng shui elements into the design of my new home.
Take note that I apply feng shui basics not so much for superstitious reasons but solely for my family members to live happily (by living in harmony) with the surroundings and environment. In fact, I sieve out the ones that don't suit our individual likes, dislikes and personalities. For example, if they say placing a mirror in the dining room brings prosperity but I know that Jovie is going to throw his toys/balls all over the house, then I wouldn't do it for safety reasons. And so, I only pick those that I feel is good for everyone.
Here's a list of basic feng shui and other home design tips/rules that I like to stick to. Bear in mind that my list applies largely to high-rise apartments and the HDB flats.
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| Singapore's view from Pinnacle @ Duxton |
1. Do not buy the unit at the end of the corridor. It's just not accessible. Unless you enjoy passing by your neighbours' doors and their shoes and laundry (both a taboo), bicycle, plants or other corridor clutter, and greeting your neighbours every single time you head out or return home. For my son, he absolutely loves the attention of the neighbours. It's like his red carpet walk :)
2. Avoid U-shaped layouts. Having been living in such a building for the past 10 years myself, I noticed noise and air tends to travel up this 'tunnel' or 'chimney'. So, for so many years, I could hear my downstairs neighbour talking, showering, washing dishes, scolding children, etc. And whenever they cook, I have to close my windows to deter the smells. For this, I insist that my new home doesn't have such layout. You can leave this rule out if you don't mind hearing your neighbours talking or you don't mind your neighbours overhearing your daily conversations with your spouse or child.
3. Do not buy units that directly face each other. Especially so if the doors are very near each other. According to feng shui, neighbours with doors facing each other tends to quarrel with each other. This may not happen to everybody but it's better to be safe than sorry.
4. Buy homes with North or South facing windows. This is due to two factors. Number one, this is to avoid the sunlight shining into your home from the East (sunrise) and West (sunset) especially in our hot and humid Singapore. Number two, this is a good facing to take in the natural wind, specifically in Singapore. In the cooler months (November to March) the wind blows mainly from the NorthEast. During the hotter months (April to October) wind blows mainly from the SouthWest. If you are an air-con person, this second factor doesn't apply to you.
My current home has bedroom windows facing north. During the cooler months, when the northerly winds blow, it can get as cold as 23 degrees celsius, partly due to the mass forest in the northern area. But during the hot months, the house becomes a furnace with almost no wind, as there are no south facing windows in my house to catch the summer southerly winds.
But come 2017, all my bedroom windows in my new home faces south. So I'm expecting my home to be very windy from April to October during the hotter months and little wind during the cooler months, which I absolutely don't mind. Nothing beats a home that is cool in summer and warm in winter.
But come 2017, all my bedroom windows in my new home faces south. So I'm expecting my home to be very windy from April to October during the hotter months and little wind during the cooler months, which I absolutely don't mind. Nothing beats a home that is cool in summer and warm in winter.
5. Give 3 storey allowance if you want unblocked view and wind. To get an unblocked view, check out the highest level of the opposite building and add at least 3 storeys to cater for any roofing features.
6. Avoid units which directly face main roads, highways, and train tracks. The endless stream of traffic noise and pollution makes a very stressful and unpleasant environment. At least be at a good distance away from them.
7. Placement of stove, bed and study table. Just remember: When you are cooking, sleeping, or studying, DO NOT have your back directly facing the entryway. If space permits, avoid placing them in line with the door. For me, this is solely for the purpose of avoiding getting a shock if someone comes up from behind you.
8. Have a clutter-free entrance. Nothing beats returning to a clean and spacious doorstep each time I return home. If you like, you can place some thriving plants or homely decorations or you can simply keep it clear and neat - whichever way makes you happy.
One thing I regret doing for my first home was to heed the classic feng shui advice of building a partition between the main door and the living room windows to prevent wealth from flowing right out the window. This partition makes returning home unpleasant and awkward. Everytime I return home, I'll open the main door to a shocking floor-to-ceiling wall - which literally feels like an uninviting 'blockage'. It also makes my home feel much smaller than it is because of the division of space from a bigger one to two smaller ones. Definitely not repeating this mistake. This time, I want to return to an airy and spacious home.
Like I've mentioned in the beginning, whether or not you want to follow the feng shui tips, think through the likes, dislikes, personalities or even the lifestyle of the home occupants. Good luck to building your happy home!
6. Avoid units which directly face main roads, highways, and train tracks. The endless stream of traffic noise and pollution makes a very stressful and unpleasant environment. At least be at a good distance away from them.
7. Placement of stove, bed and study table. Just remember: When you are cooking, sleeping, or studying, DO NOT have your back directly facing the entryway. If space permits, avoid placing them in line with the door. For me, this is solely for the purpose of avoiding getting a shock if someone comes up from behind you.
8. Have a clutter-free entrance. Nothing beats returning to a clean and spacious doorstep each time I return home. If you like, you can place some thriving plants or homely decorations or you can simply keep it clear and neat - whichever way makes you happy.
One thing I regret doing for my first home was to heed the classic feng shui advice of building a partition between the main door and the living room windows to prevent wealth from flowing right out the window. This partition makes returning home unpleasant and awkward. Everytime I return home, I'll open the main door to a shocking floor-to-ceiling wall - which literally feels like an uninviting 'blockage'. It also makes my home feel much smaller than it is because of the division of space from a bigger one to two smaller ones. Definitely not repeating this mistake. This time, I want to return to an airy and spacious home.
Like I've mentioned in the beginning, whether or not you want to follow the feng shui tips, think through the likes, dislikes, personalities or even the lifestyle of the home occupants. Good luck to building your happy home!