Water, associated with wealth, wisdom and social connections, is the dominant element in a bathroom. How about using the teachings of Feng Shui to bring a more positive energy to this space?
Feng Shui, an Eastern philosophy used to organise the flow of energy in the home, made relatively little headway in bathrooms until recent years. This was because, of all the rooms in a home, the bathroom was considered to have the lowest energy flow. Things began to change, however, with the arrival of a new generation of bathrooms designed as personal spas.
Today's bathrooms are places of renewal, shaped around our own needs for rest, cleansing and refreshment. The wisdom of traditional Feng Shui and the needs of modern bathroom living therefore work together to reshape the energy of the space. Here is what Feng Shui suggests for organising the flow of energy in your bathroom.
Feng Shui is a philosophy that connects our homes with our surroundings and nature. At its most basic level, even carefully conserving the water we use in the bathroom creates good energy. The care we take with this precious resource is reflected in other areas of our lives, including how others treat us. Water conservation, now a familiar priority on the world's environmental agenda, is among Feng Shui's recommendations. Water-saving taps, shorter showers and repairing leaks are all part of its advice for bathrooms. Kale Banyo's Nova, Basics and Sempre tap ranges, whose smart flow system saves up to 50% water, are options to consider. Their Cold Start system also controls the transition between cold and hot water. When the tap's control lever is in the centre, Cold Start delivers cold rather than lukewarm water, preventing the home's heating system from operating unnecessarily. Tetra, one of Kale Banyo's sensor-operated taps offering touch-free hygiene, combines a tap and soap dispenser in one place. Four adjustable quantity settings help reduce consumption. Its sensor technology allows water to flow only while hands are being washed, using just 4 litres per minute.
Honeycomb flow regulators in the basin and bath taps of Kale Banyo's Artdeco, Basics, Idea, Nova and Zero ranges provide 40% water savings. Sensor technology in the Flat Dual, Inova Mono, Reno Mono and Sempre Mono taps can reduce water consumption to 1.9 litres per minute.
The removal of waste and water through the toilet is one area to consider in Feng Shui. According to the teaching, keep the toilet lid closed when it is not in use to prevent positive energy from escaping. Another benefit attributed to this simple habit is reducing moisture and humidity in the bathroom, helping to minimise mould. For a smart solution, explore Kale Banyo's Dove 2.0, Fold Pro and Spirit toilets and seats. All three models offer an economical 2.5/4-litre flush and SmartYıkama technology for thorough hygiene. Their ultra-slim seats feature quiet, soft-closing SmartKapak technology and can be easily removed for cleaning.
Like the toilet lid, the bathroom door offers another route through which energy can flow into the bathroom and towards the drains. Feng Shui therefore advises keeping it closed. According to this teaching, the habit prevents positive Chi from flowing away from you.
If keeping the bathroom door closed at all times is impractical, Feng Shui advises making sure the toilet cannot be seen from the living areas. Conceal it visually with a screen, or arrange seating in the living room or kitchen so that the toilet is out of sight.
Feng Shui is based on the way positive Chi energy moves inside and outside the home. A bathroom mirror is a simple but effective tool for enhancing Feng Shui and directing energy, allowing Chi to flow freely. Hanging a full-length mirror on the inside of the bathroom door can help guide this energy. There is one important point, however: the mirror should not reflect the toilet.
Cleansing and renewal are two central themes in bathroom Feng Shui. One of the best ways to bring both into the space is to introduce plants. One reason given is their ability to clean the air; they also help the bathroom feel fresh. Do not overdo it or fill the whole room with plants. A few well-positioned plants can enhance the flow of energy. Peace lilies, aloe vera and jade plants are among the preferred Feng Shui choices.
Every bathroom becomes cluttered in one way or another. To keep this to a minimum, regularly review the cosmetics, old towels, toiletries and medicines you store. Discard items that have reached the end of their shelf life, passed their expiry date or are no longer needed. Although getting rid of many of these items may be the best solution, choose furniture with smart storage, such as vanity units or bathroom cabinets, for the things you want to keep. Remember that, in Feng Shui, what you store in your home is believed to affect your health and well-being.
In Feng Shui, the bathroom is considered a challenging environment because wastewater represents negative Chi, and its downward flow symbolises a loss of wealth. Balance the water element with warm accents, such as photographs or illustrations of warm countries, wooden stools or wicker baskets. Strengthen this balance with a warm colour to guide auspicious Yin energy. Feng Shui colours associated with wealth include aqua shades, pastels and light tones such as pale blue, turquoise, green, peach, pink, white, cream and yellow.
Feng Shui places great importance on cleanliness, so clean your bathroom regularly. Within this philosophy, a poorly maintained bathroom may be reflected in a sense of feeling stuck or making little progress in life. Alongside routine cleaning, thoroughly clean the floor, windowsills and areas inside and around the toilet. Plan an occasional deeper clean to increase positive energy.
The main aim of bathroom lighting in Feng Shui is to balance Chi energy. In its symbolic interpretation, pendant lighting is not considered an auspicious sign for the people living in the home. Choose wall lights or ceiling lights instead. Excessive brightness is another thing to avoid. A very dark bathroom may need more lighting, but do not make it overly bright: harsh light is not ideal for achieving a balanced flow of Chi.
Both wood and earth elements help address an imbalance of water. The wood element draws Chi upwards and away from the drains. To strengthen it in your bathroom, use wooden furniture or cover the walls with timber panelling. The earth element blocks water, slowing the escape of Chi. Brown, yellow, red and orange are earth-centred Feng Shui colours, and tiles in these shades can introduce the element into your bathroom. For example, the Windsor Frame and Windsor series in Çanakkale Seramik's Miniatile collection offer tiles in these warm colours.
Adequate ventilation effectively prevents unpleasant odours, mould and mildew, which are unfavourable to good bathroom Feng Shui. The main challenge in most bathrooms is removing stale air. According to Feng Shui, fresh air carries positive Chi. If your bathroom has a window, open it often to let fresh air in.
