6 things you should never put in your home for positive Feng Shui

As a professional organizer, I strive to make my clients’ spaces (and my own!) as peaceful as possible—and one thing that can easily keep us from having a harmonious home is clutter. It turns out that clutter isn’t just chaotic and annoying, it can also keep you from enjoying the benefits of feng shui.

The ancient Chinese practice of feng shui is all about finding and creating positive energy. In the world of interior design, this means creating balance between a room’s furniture, decor, and color scheme. But clutter isn’t the only thing that can ruin the feng shui in your home. We spoke to the experts to find out what else we should avoid in our spaces.

Some things seem obvious (yet very common in most homes), while others were new to me – and probably to you too! Find out what they are, why, and how you can rid your home of them to improve the energy of your space.

1. Disorder

“Feng shui is about creating balance, harmony and opportunity in your life,” says Kristina Hollinger, author and feng shui expert. “To take advantage of these opportunities, energy must be able to flow freely into and through your space.” As you may already know, clutter is one of the biggest obstacles when it comes to implementing feng shui in your home. It represents blocked or stagnant energy, especially if there is a lot of clutter in the entryway.

“Think of the piles of shoes by the front door,” says Alejandra Brady, interior designer and feng shui expert at Alejandra G. Brady. “Keep clutter out, especially at eye level, as it causes stress and anxiety.” Start by setting up a storage system in the entryway, then work on decluttering items in your closets, pantry, and anywhere else where items that no longer spark joy tend to crowd together.

2. Oversized furniture

Another thing that can make your home look and feel cluttered is furniture that’s too big for your space. “Remember, the key is to harmonize, not overwhelm, and to always infuse your space with positive energy and intention,” says Hollinger. That sofa your great aunt wants you to keep might be comfortable (and free), but if it barely fits in your living room, the whole atmosphere will feel wrong. To make your home harmonious, it’s best to find something smaller (and within your budget). “Essentially, feng shui is about balance and intentional placement,” says Hollinger, so choose furniture pieces that are an appropriate size (and style) for the room you plan to put them in.

3. Sharp edges

Whether it’s furniture or decor, pointy or sharp edges in your home can disrupt feng shui. Believe it or not, our brains subconsciously associate sharpness with danger, and from a feng shui perspective, hard objects disrupt the calm of a room. Round edges, on the other hand, allow energy to flow more easily and create a sense of calm. This may explain the recent trend of curved furniture, which focuses on soft, rounded edges to give any room an earthy, organic feel.

4. Broken possessions

If you have appliances, electronics, or tools lying around that no longer work, it can undo good feng shui. As Brady points out, small things like a burned-out lightbulb or big things like a damaged piece of furniture can symbolize neglect and give off negative chi—also known as bad energy. A broken clock is especially bad for feng shui, as it represents time standing still and the inability to move forward. Make a point to fix broken things as soon as possible—or have a professional fix them—and get rid of any items that are beyond repair.

5. Dying plants

Like broken objects, houseplants that are dying (or already dead) symbolize abandonment. Learn how to fix your plant’s problem so you can bring it back to life, and compost plants that are already too far gone. Brady suggests adding fresh flowers to boost your home’s energy. Another way to encourage positive feng shui is to incorporate certain plants that symbolize good luck and gratitude.

6. Objects with negative energy

There may be items with negative energy hiding in the clutter in your home. But it’s important that you get rid of them not only to save space but also to create a favorable environment for Feng Shui. If you keep photos, cards or mementos from a stressful or unhappy time in your life, it means that negative chi is still present.

Likewise, displaying dark artwork that depicts sadness or violence can hinder feng shui. Instead, opt for cheerful images that will transition from the canvas to your home. “Your home is a reflection of your inner world, and with conscious adjustments, you can create a space that brings joy, peace and prosperity,” says Hollinger.