Row home layouts are charming and cozy and give the home character; they also make arranging furniture quite the challenge. I’ve Googled and Pinterest-ed “row home design” or “townhouse layout” more times than I’d like to admit. There seems to be a lack of content, so I’m trying to create my own. One of the first sources of inspiration for me was agent Shui.
Feng Shui is “the art and science of living in harmony with your living space” (Moran XVII), a fascinating concept that is based on the idea that your environment reflects your energy and vice versa. By following the practice’s guidelines, you can bring positive energy into your home when arranging, decorating, and organizing. In this series, I want to provide tips on how to apply Feng Shui to the unique features of a row home. First, there are some basic principles with which to familiarize yourself.
Qi is a buzzword; it is “the [physical and metaphysical] underlying and unifying substance and soul of all things” and can be loosely translated to “life’s breath” (Moran 341).
Feng Shui starts as far up the line as buying or building a house, in terms of orientation, size, layout, etc. For the sake of this post, I’m assuming you’re already living in a row house (or are here to be convinced about the privileges of row home living). Ironically enough, the practice suggests you find or create a living situation in which your back and left and right sides are protected… which are defining characteristics of a row home, so we’re already off to a good start. It also states that rectangular lots, with the dwelling towards the front of the lot, allow Qi to flow in and gather at the back of the lot, safeguarding health and wealth. It is a supportive orientation/layout. Also, living in a rectangularly shaped house is favorable, as it represents growth and expansion. Row homes fall under that category, along with ranch style houses or skyscrapers, just for reference.
The concept suggests that “the main entrance to the house should be at the top of a flight of stairs. Subconsciously, the occupants feel safer above street level” (Moran 129).
“The front entrance should be well lit. By protecting the main entrance, you’ll be promoting better health, wealth, and happiness” (Moran 129).
The front and back doors should not be in alignment, as Qi enters one door and immediately exits through the other, but this can be remedied by placing a screen, furniture, or plant in the path, near the main entrance.
Inside the home, the ancient art differentiates between private spaces like bedrooms, referred to as yin, and public spaces like living and dining rooms, or yang. Certain colors are best for public versus private spaces, which I’ll dive into by room in subsequent posts. In general, rich, saturated colors bring good energy to public spaces, while muted, soothing, softer colors work well at bringing in calming energy to private spaces.
There are some elements that recur in Feng Shui that can be used anywhere in the house. They include:
- Mirrors
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- Mirrors recirculate energy, enhance natural light, and draw attention to what they reflect.
- Circles
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- This shape, that has no beginning and no end, symbolizes the flow of the universe.
- Pairs
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- Pairs represent love, nurturing, harmony, and partnership.
Other tips for the entire house:
- Balance reflective materials like mirrors and metal with warm wood and linen.
- Rugs are grounding; use them to define a space, like under a dining room table or on the inside perimeter of seating.
- Leaving dead spaces or neglecting a space is highly discouraged. Change the purpose of a space if the original function doesn’t work; a common application of this is a guest room. While it’s beneficial to leave room for visitors, it’s also advantageous to utilize part of a guest room as a home office or laundry station, if that would get more use.
- Shed light on dark corners; ensure all areas can be well lit. Needless to say, they do not have to be lit all the time.
- Display items that bring you joy, that are beautiful and meaningful – sounds familiar… I haven’t read her book but I bet this inspired Marie Kondo.
- Furniture should be a mix of yin and yang – mix dark with light, angles with curves.
- Furniture should be proportionate to the room. If a piece of furniture is too dominant, it’s energy will dominate the room. Full disclosure – the television in our family room is almost as big as the couch. It’s gotta go; stay tuned for updates on a new layout.
- The backs of couches or chairs should not face entrances.
- All areas should be free of clutter.
At Home on Henry Street 