Many People believe feng shui is simply another design style. Actually, it’s more complicated than that. Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art and science developed more than 3,000 years ago. The science encompasses a complex knowledge that illustrates how to balance the energies of any given space to assure the health and good fortune for people living in that space.

In Chinese culture, gentle wind and clear waters have long been associated with good health and a good harvest. It should come as no surprise then that feng means “wind” and shui means “water.”

The Chinese believe that the world is made up of “Chi” or energy. Depending upon how that energy flows, the outcome could be good or bad, particularly inside of a home.

A feng shui expert will use a compass, also known as the “lo-pan” and the “Ba-Gua,” to do an analysis of a home. The Ba-Gua is an octagonal grid containing the symbols of the I Ching, the ancient oracle on which feng shui is based.

While feng shui in its entirety is complicated and best left to a professional, there are certain concepts the average homeowner can embrace and implement in the home.

* Improve air quality and natural light. Open up the drapes and windows and let the sun and shine in, and the air to flow. Introduce plants that will help filter the air, and as a secondary route, use an air filter to remove impurities in the air. While natural light is best, full-spectrum light bulbs can also enhance the light in a home.

• Reduce clutter. Lightening up the house is key to good feng shui. Clutter can trap good energy. Get rid of everything you don’t absolutely need.

• Define your home’s Ba-Gua. Use the grid to pinpoint the specific eight areas of the home that will provide an energy map of the space. For example, the Southeast feng shui area of your home is connected to the flow of wealth and money energy in your life and is seen as lucky for 2009. The Ba-Gua will also tell you what colors and elements are essential to promoting good feng shui in those specific areas.

• Learn about the five feng shui elements. Educating yourself about these elements can help you incorporate changes in the home. Each element is represented by specific colors, and using these colors is an easy way to bring about change in the home.

WOOD: Green, brown
FIRE: Red, strong yellow, orange, purple, pink
EARTH: Light yellow, sandy/earthy colors, light brown
METAL: White, gray
WATER: Blue, black

• Learn your feng shui birth element. This element pertains to the year you were born. Using this element in your home can be a good way to reinforce positive energy.

• Examine door placement. Ideally, your front door and back door should not line up with each other. If they do, according to the principles of feng shui, the chi will slip right through the house without bringing benefits to you. If the doors do line up, you can help ease the problem by placing a large plant or other obstacle beside one of the doors, with an angled throw rug to encourage a path in a sideways direction.

• Create a joyous space. Decorating with more light, music, water, air, plants, mirrors, windchimes, bright colors, houseplants, and flowers can activate joy and happiness chi in the home.