Your home s design can have a significant impact on your overall happiness. A space that makes you feel good reflects positively on other aspects of your life, and the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui has been applied with this aim for thousands of years. Feng shui is really an art that celebrates science, says Gabrielle Santiago, a Los Angeles-based interior designer and feng shui expert. Its purpose is to achieve harmony and balance between humans and their environment.
Feng shui, which translates literally to wind and water, was historically used to select favorable places and times for building homes, growing crops, and other life-sustaining activities, Santiago says. The philosophy is based around the elements of earth, metal, water, wood, and fire, which can all be represented through various shapes, colors, and materials throughout a home. The right balance helps cultivate happy, organized spaces that support our well-being and daily lives.