Create a room in your garden with Feng Shui

By creating a room in your garden with Feng Shui you can increase your living space.  This is often an overlooked and underused space.  The “garden room” is an ever-changing place that meets many needs for each person.

In these challenging times creating a garden room can help improve your overall health.  Scientific studies from Harvard and Cambridge have shown that places to relax and gather lowers stress and boosts the immune system.  Feng Shui also helps lower stress by bringing balance to your life.  A slower pace is shown to help mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

How will you use the garden or patio area, which is really an outside room?  You can use this outdoor room to relax, a space for writing inspiration, a family gathering area, or a quiet place to regain your balance.

My garden room was created by using the principles of Feng Shui.  It is a place where so many activities in my life take place –  like having morning coffee, afternoon tea, happy hour, writing, sitting, reading, a private retreat, or a romantic time with my hubby under the stars.  Feng Shui allows the balance of flowing from one activity to another.  It brings a different feeling with each activity by expanding the space as visual space, internal space, and balance.  Try some of the suggestions below in your space.

Miracles do happen in this space (see the bird pictured above).  A wonderful Merlin came to visit me one afternoon as I was writing.  He stayed for about ten minutes or more, about ten feet from my cat and me.  We all were in the moment where time was suspended in this magic visit.

Defining Your Garden Room

By defining your garden room, it will save you time and money. Take a look around your yard and patio.  What things do you notice about this space?  Is it inviting?  Do you cringe as you see piles of unused stuff?  If your place is less than ideal, it can be changed.  Give yourself a few moments to reflect on the scenes, sounds, and objects that bring you a sense of well-being and happiness.

Cut out some pictures of gardens or patios you love.  What features draw you the most and evoke a response like:                  “I feel calm.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                     “I love the sounds.”                                                                                                                                                                                                      “I can see us all being together here having dinners with friends and birthday parties.”                                                    “This a place I can kick off my shoes and just relax.”

What theme do you see in this garden room – an English garden, a mysterious Asian setting, a Zen garden, a party area, blocking out the neighbor’s ugly yard, using trees as a sound buffer?  Do you want it all open or partially enclosed?  You can design it by using what you already have.  Let those feelings guide you.  Hear that inner voice like a bird singing in your ear, giving you a clear path to your dream garden room.

Define those settings which evoke a deep sense of peaceful relaxation or watching your children play and grow, a place for the pets to stretch and explore.   Discover more about a Feng Shui Sanctuary.

Creating a Garden Room

Table ready for a dinner party in the backyard

What are the elements you need to create your garden room?  Is there a view you want to frame or do you want to create one?  What about furniture – do want comfy, mission style, or contemporary?  Is this room for one or many?  Highlight a water feature or garden area, or even several areas.  These visual pictures bring a sense of balance and welcome you.  Feng Shui is balanced in practice.

Be sure to have several different levels of lighting for interest and depth.  Does a birdhouse delight you, or do you want a birdbath to watch nature?  You can have planters of cedar or beautiful ceramics as part of your dream.

Fling open the doors of creativity.  Let each member of the family contribute in some way to this new space.  It can be simple, a country affair, elegant, or somewhere in the middle.  The canvas is yours to paint.

Feng Shui Garden Room Checklist

If you answered the above questions you can quickly fill out the list below to create your garden room with Feng Shui.

• Sounds
• Colors
• Smells
• Time of day
• Furniture
• Plants
• Water features
• Benches

These are a few of the basics to get started on this journey of discovery of bringing nature more fully into our lives.  Enjoy the benefits of your Feng Shui Garden room.

If you need help creating a garden room now call Darielle  (206) 282 4068 for your appointment.  We can do Zoom, Skype, or iPhone meetings, or Contact Darielle online.

Email at Darielle@dariellearcher.com