Whether you've finally landed that executive position or you're launching the business you've always dreamed of, one of the most important things you can do for your office is to consider feng shui. Proper feng shui can enhance your productivity, inspiration and creativity while also helping you to feel more disciplined and focused. As you start thinking about your office layout and design, here are some tips to help you build a feng shui environment.

Choose Your Colors Carefully

From the paint to the decor, the colors that you use in your office can significantly affect your mood and your productivity. Soft colors are ideal, particularly in hues of yellow, gold and green. These colors can help you enhance your clarity and your mental focus. You might also want to think about adding some trim in earth tones for stability and grounding. Just don't use the earth tones for more than accents, because they aren't stimulating colors, so too much of them can actually drag you down a bit.

Think About Balance in Your Layout

Your work space should have a balance of all of the essential feng shui elements. If your office space has a lot of light colors, bright natural light and and angular design, you'll want to balance those out with some softening features like flowing curved shapes, softer furnishings and window coverings. The goal is to represent equal amounts of metal, earth, wood, fire and water.  

The natural light in your space qualifies as representation of the fire element, while things like filing cabinets, computers and other electronics are metal. You can also incorporate the earth element by choosing some soft brown or earthy colors in your paint. Small plants are a great way to incorporate wood, while a tranquil waterfall feature or a fish tank makes a great representation for water.

Place Your Desk Thoughtfully

Buying the perfect office furniture is only a start. Where you put that furniture is also important. Remember that you are in a position of authority, so you should choose a large desk that is representative of that. You'll also want to be attentive to where you place that desk. Once you find the right spot for your desk, all of the rest of your furnishings can be placed around it.

You should have a clear view of the door from where your desk is positioned, but you should also aim to sit where you can see as much of the office as possible. Always position your back to a wall and try to put your desk as far from the door as you can. This is known as the power position. Sitting too close to the door can lead to a lot of distraction by things going on outside the door, and it makes it easy for people walking by to just pop their head in and interrupt.

Choose Features That Reduce Clutter

Clutter leads to confusion and distraction, and it can hinder your productivity. Make sure your office space has plenty of tools for organization, including filing cabinets, shelving and even hanging trays. Make sure that you have a place for in-process paperwork that keeps it out of the way, and aim for clearing your desk off (even if it just means filing things in a drawer until morning) before you leave every day. Starting your morning with a clean desk surface allows you to tackle things one at a time, which can reduce the chances of feeling overwhelmed.

Before you buy any furniture for your new office space, think about each of these things. Once you know how to create a feng shui office, you can shop for office furniture and accessories that will produce an organized, productive and peaceful environment.

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