When most people hear the words “feng shui,” they think of clearing clutter, or installing waterfalls in their homes.  Of course, some people just get a puzzled look and ask: “Say what?” As a window coverings expert for more than 30 years, I’ve learned a thing or two from interior decorators and designers about the subject. So I thought I’d share what I know:

Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art and science that has been practiced for more than 3,000 years. It’s centered on the belief that you can arrange your home in a way that balances energy and brings health and good luck to the people living there. Who wouldn’t want that? It can’t hurt to try! In fact, many aspects of feng shui just sound like plain common sense to me. I can’t tell you the best spot for your loveseat, but I can tell you what feng shui practitioners have to say about window treatments.

To keep energy flowing in your home and reap the benefits of a well-balanced space, here are a few simple changes you can make to your windows. Try them today, and see what a difference a little feng shui can make!

Natural light is your best friend.

Natural light is a very big deal in feng shui – the more, the better! To achieve this goal, tie back heavy drapes as soon as the sun rises, letting the morning light flood in. But remember to close them at night – according to tradition, leaving curtains open can allow darkness and negative energy in. Another option is to install sheer shades or blinds that can be opened and shut to control light and privacy. Pleated or honeycomb shades are a great choice, as they will softly diffuse light during the brightest parts of the day. And consider trading your bedroom’s blackout curtains for something more sheer, which will turn the morning sun into a natural alarm clock and make for a more gradual (and thus more pleasant!) wake-up call.

Keep your windows clean and clear.

Windows are considered “the eyes of the home” in feng shui. On an energy level, they’re related to our ability to see clearly in life. To gain a fresh perspective on your life, there are a few things you can do. Make sure window glass is free of dust and dirt by cleaning them regularly, wash blinds if possible or have them professionally cleaned, and take your curtains to the dry cleaners periodically. Once this list is complete and your windows are spotless, you might be surprised at what other areas of your life suddenly become crystal clear!

Green is good.

Regular contact with nature has been proven to lower blood pressure and stress – perhaps this is one of the reasons a window with a good view is so important in feng shui. If you’re worried about privacy or have particularly nosy neighbors, bottom-up shades are one way to keep anyone from seeing in, while still giving you a much needed glimpse of blue skies and tall trees.

Choose the right colors for each room.

According to feng shui, color choice is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in a room. Each color is an expression of one of the five elements – fire, earth, metal, water and wood –and each one will affect the room in a different way. For example, if you want to encourage clarity and focus in your home office, choose window treatments that contain the metal element, in shades of gray or white. To keep your family strong and stable, a living room with earth tone colors is the way to go.

For more tips on using feng shui to create a balanced home and life, visit Strickland’s today. We’ll open your eyes (and your windows!) to a world of possibilities.

Fred Kumpel is the owner of Strickland’s Window Coverings and Carolina Closet Company. Fred has over 30 years of experience in the industry. Strickland’s Window Coverings is a window treatment design center specializing in custom blinds, shades, shutters and fabric treatments for over 70 years. Carolina Closet Company provides professionally designed and custom built organization solutions. Its complete line of home organization solutions includes unique solutions to organize closets, pantries, garages, basements, laundry rooms as well as Murphy Beds. To learn more about our company, visit www.stricklandswindowcoverings.com and www.closetsbythesea.com. Fred can be reached at [email protected] or call 910.762.0944.