Design hacks to attract good vibes
Have you ever felt restless or uneasy in your own home? Have you experienced any unexplainable health concerns that seem to appear out of nowhere? Have you tried cleansing your home of negative energy or what we often call bad vibes?
I’m a firm believer of this, having lived in an ancestral home practically all my life. I’ve had my house blessed on multiple occasions mainly to celebrate special family events and to offer thanksgiving. This has filled our home with good energy and love, extending even to our guests.
Start by moving around your home and reflecting on what type of energy you want in each room. Feel the space. Here are practical interior and spatial steps to clear your home of negativity and bad juju.
Open up your windows
Change your dark window treatments to light, neutral colors. Open your windows during the day to let more light into your home. This brings in sunshine–not to mention loads of vitamin D. It might even help keep the vampires away!
Remove or reduce clutter
Clutter is the main obstacle to productivity. It can make anyone feel confused. Clearing counters and tables helps organize your mind.
Paint your walls a soothing color
In my case, I’d paint my walls a color I’d be comfortable with. I usually add a pop of color to one wall in a room. It’s your house, your choice!
Bathroom redo
If your bathroom needs a redo, then that’s probably causing the bad energy in your home. There’s nothing worse than a faulty fixture or faucet, icky grouting, or broken tiles. If you can’t do your “business” comfortably, then we’ve got a problem.
Renew your bedroom
Give your bedroom a fresh touch of color–maybe new sheets or a new rug. Getting some Frette bedsheets would be the best thing ever.
Adding soft scents through candles with lamp warmers, indoor plants, and comfortable seating can also make a big difference. This helps you rest better and promotes a healthier sense of well-being.
Open your entryway space
Remove all obstacles in your entryway. No furniture should block the space. The foyer should remain uncluttered to welcome positive energy. Basic feng shui is also quite helpful in this case. You can apply its principles in your home to support your “cleansing.”
Remove items that give bad memories
The pillow given by your ex-best friend, the table lamp given by a former partner–these are all constant reminders of bad events, so better leave these out of your house.
Clean your house
Have your house cleaned to the core. Deep clean mattresses and upholstered furniture, airconditioning units, bathrooms, bedrooms, and storage. Organize your walk-in closets. These will also make your home more efficient for the whole family.
Clean the air
Open your windows from time to time to remove the stale air. Have some indoor plants in your living room and bedrooms.
Display photos of loved ones
Have a console table to display pictures of loved ones—both living and those who have passed. It’s important to keep them close to your home and heart.
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I also asked an industry insider about warding off bad energy and bringing in the good. He is a space clearing specialist.
Q: What are the signs that your home has negative energy? Can it affect homeowners through health concerns or mood?
A: Generally, homes with negative energy have individuals who don’t get restful sleep, who are perpetually tired, or are prone to anger and bouts of depression. Vegetation doesn’t grow as quickly or as much as other places. Also, you may feel a general unease that you can’t quite explain.
Q: What can I do to bring in positive energy when moving into a home or condo unit that was previously lived in by someone else?
A: I would move things out if I didn’t know what the previous owner’s disposition was. Hand-me-downs can be a source of negative energy, especially paintings in the unit.
I think the best thing would be to have the unit blessed by a holy man, or to perform your own ritual, depending on your belief system, to claim the unit as your own. Generally, the presence of holy objects and items that bring happy memories is the best way to counter this type of feeling.
Q: Are there ways to protect our new home from negative energy?
A: Homes can be protected by adding salt-based crystal or salt lamps. You can also hang St. Benedict medals in your home or hang them on your door knobs.
Also, prayer and holy rituals are a great way to strengthen your defense. There’s no fool proof way to completely remove negative energy from your home, but be cognizant of how you are when you arrive home. Keep your mental health a priority.
The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an executive director at the Philippine Institute of Interior Designers (PIID), and a member of the Advisory Board of the College of Architecture and Design of Enderun College
