Feng Shui Your Office for Spring

Nothing saps your energy more than staring at a desk piled with work or bills to pay. Whether you believe in the principles of Feng Shui or not, these 4 simple steps from Marie Elena Rigo, a Los Angeles-based interior designer and feng shui consultant, will help make your office space — at home or at work – an inviting and productive space.

Step 1: Organize.

Get rid of clutter and keep surface areas clear. “Clutter drains our energy because the eye and mind don’t know where to focus and begin to wander,” says Rigo. If you have a bookshelf, leave at least one shelf free for aesthetic items and mementos that will inspire and calm you (i.e., candles, photos, and artwork). “Bookshelves tend to have heavy energy when they’re full, so donate any books you don’t need.”

Step 2: Rearrange.

Whether your desk is at home or at work, place it where you’ll have a full, or at least peripheral, view of the doorway — so you’ll always know who’s entering the room, which relaxes your nervous system. If you can’t position your desk this way, attach a mirror to the top of your computer monitor so you can see behind you. And make sure you don’t have too much furniture. It blocks energy flow, says Rigo, and will make you feel distracted and “cramped” in your space.

Step 3: Brighten.

Turn off the overhead fluorescents and rely on desk and floor lamps. “Fluorescent lights can cause headaches, eyestrain, and fatigue because most systems use ballasts that cause the lights to turn on and off 120 times per second, producing a subtle flicker and hum, which people are sensitive to,” says Rigo. Use full-spectrum bulbs — the closest thing to natural sunlight. You can also spice up your space with pillows or desk accessories in red, orange, or yellow — colors that stimulate you and increase your motivation.

Step 4: Revitalize.

Bring living energy into the space by placing a tree, a plant, fresh flowers, or even a bowl of fruit in a prominent spot. “Certain plants — like peace lilies — actually clean the air,” says Rigo. Opening a window, turning on a fan, or using an air purifier can also help because it helps keep air and energy flowing.