Furniture placement and colors for each room, lucky colors by direction, and tips for different floor plans — the way feng shui is practiced in Japan. Start with the “Home Feng Shui Check” below to get tips for your own room.
Choose your floor plan, the room you want to improve, and its direction as seen from the center of your home. If you are not sure of the direction, leave it as “Not sure.”
North is at the top. Stand at the center of your floor plan to see which direction each room lies in; a phone compass app makes it easy.
A quiet, settled direction linked to trust between people and the power to save money. It tends to feel cold, so warm-colored accents and soft lighting are said to balance it.
Good to place: Warm-colored cushions or rugs / Indirect lighting / A safe place for savings and important papers
Avoid: Leaving it dark and cold
Known in Japan as the “demon gate” (kimon), where energy is said to shift. The basic rule is to keep it clean and bright, mainly in white.
Good to place: White accessories / A small houseplant / Regular cleaning and fresh air
Avoid: Clutter, trash, or dirty plumbing areas
The direction of the morning sun, linked to beginnings, growth and success at work. Things that make sound and living plants are said to suit it.
Good to place: A TV, radio or speaker / Houseplants / Clean windows to let in the morning sun
Avoid: Keeping heavy curtains closed all day
Said to govern connections with people. Pleasant scents and good airflow matter here; fresh flowers or aroma are a nice touch.
Good to place: Fresh flowers or floral patterns / Aroma or incense / Good ventilation
Avoid: Stale smells, or wilted flowers left in place
A bright direction linked to beauty and intuition. To keep its fire energy from getting too strong, calm it with green and white.
Good to place: Houseplants / Books or art that inspire you / Sheer curtains to soften strong sun
Avoid: Too much red or too many sharp objects
Called the “back demon gate” (ura-kimon) and linked to family stability and steady effort. Like the northeast, keep it clean; earthy colors and ceramics suit it.
Good to place: Ceramics and pottery / Low furniture / Tidy storage
Avoid: A messy storage corner
Home of the famous Japanese saying “yellow in the west” for money luck. The afternoon sun here is strong, so soften it with curtains.
Good to place: Yellow or gold accents / Round objects / Curtains against the afternoon sun
Avoid: Harsh western sun pouring in all afternoon
Linked to the head of the household and support from mentors. Good-quality, well-made things are said to belong here.
Good to place: Quality furniture or a fine clock / Solid storage / Important documents
Avoid: Cheap or broken things left lying around
The doorway for good energy, and the most important spot in the home.
Bright, clean tones like beige and ivory. Add the color of the direction through a mat or small accents.
Avoid: Piles of shoes or trash bags, dead plants, dim lighting
The heart of the home, where everyone’s energy gathers.
Ivory and beige as a base, with the direction’s colors added in cushions or curtains.
Avoid: Things scattered on the floor; sharp corners pointing at seats
Said to be where your body and your luck recharge.
Calm tones like pastels, ivory and soft beige. Large areas of red or bright primary colors are best avoided.
Avoid: Working in the bedroom, drying laundry there, too many stuffed toys
Where fire and water live side by side; linked to health and money.
White, cream, light green and yellow; clean, fresh colors.
Avoid: Piled-up dishes and food-waste smells
Where bad energy is washed away; cleanliness is said to show directly in your luck.
Pastels, white, pale green. Dark colors are best avoided.
Avoid: Magazines left lying around, mold, lingering too long
Linked to focus and success at work.
Blue or green accents for focus and calm, on a bright white or beige base.
Avoid: Tangled cables and stacks of paper on the desk
A room that supports growth and learning.
Bright green, sky blue, cream. Use strong primary colors only in small touches.
Avoid: Dim lighting, or the room turning into storage for adult things
Said to be where good energy enters from outside.
Green (plants), white, natural wood.
Avoid: Dead plants, or using it as a dumping ground
Sleeping, eating and relaxing all happen in one room.
Furniture: Choose low furniture to reduce a cramped feel, and favor closed storage.
A layout where the bedroom and living area are separate.
Furniture: Sofa against a wall in the living room; fewer pieces of furniture in the bedroom.
A layout with a room for each family member.
Furniture: Shared spaces hold only shared things; personal items go to each room.
A layout with stairs and often a garden.
Furniture: Don’t overfill the space under the stairs; keep air moving.
Tick any that apply to your home. A quick fix is listed for each.
Find your lucky directions for this year and month (Nine Star Ki) on the Lucky Directions page. Feng shui is a traditional guide and does not promise any result. Move furniture safely and put everyday comfort first.