Improve the Feng Shui of your Bathroom in 20 Effective Steps
Dr. Michael Oon
Bathrooms are essential to our modern lifestyle, convenience and standards of hygiene. This article is about improving the Feng Shui of your Bathroom.
Introduction:
All modern properties have bathrooms. Some new properties have more bathrooms than bedrooms or more bathrooms than people living on the property. The number of bathrooms has become very important in selling any property.
We want to clean our bodies and refresh ourselves for the start of the day. Also, prepare ourselves for bedtime.
However, it is hard to imagine that bathrooms were only built within the property in the last Century – the 20th Century, particularly in the latter half.
Before that, it was the outdoor toilet and washroom. It was only the wealthy who could afford "indoor" toilets and a washroom within the property. Otherwise, it was outdoors.
It is now an essential item. Previously, it was luxury.
The term Bathroom:
The bathroom has the following components:
WC (Water closet or toilet); Hand basin, Bath; Shower and bidet.
In the UK, the room with just the WC and hand basin can be known as the toilet, cloakroom, loo or WC.
When it is fitted with a bath, it becomes a bathroom. Likewise, with a shower, it is a shower room.
In the US, all these rooms are called a bathroom or washroom even though there is no bath.
I shall use the term bathroom for all these types of rooms.
Why are Bathrooms considered Negative areas in Feng Shui?
There are two factors:
1. The deposition of Human waste: Feng Shui considers dead or waste material as unfavourable. These should be disposed of outside the living area of the residence. Unfortunately, that is not possible in this present age.
2. Energy drain: The flushing of the toilet forces energy in the room to accompany the exiting water. This is particularly strong with the new power flushes. The water exit flow from the hand basin, bath and shower is not that dramatic or strong, but it is considered a negative with the outflow of energy. The lost energy has to be made up from somewhere.
The bathroom is a negative energy place. Energy drains away. The Feng Shui Masters of ancient China always preferred outdoor bathrooms. However, that is not possible.
The article is about making the most of the bathroom in this modern age.
20 Ways to improve the Feng Shui of your Bathroom
Essentially, they are 20 ways to minimise the negative effects of the bathroom.
Water Closet (WC):
Water Closet:
Keep the toilet seat lid down as much as possible. You do not want unintentional leakage of energy. Feng Shui is about the accumulation of energy with minimal leakage.
The sink, bathtub and shower – the exit flows of energy with the water are minor relative to the WC. The point is every bit of energy that is lost matters.
Close the door:
Flushing the WC drains away the energy. There is also exiting of this energy from the sinks, bath and shower, but it is gentle relative to the WC. This energy needs to be replaced, but you do not want the energy to come from the house's interiors. You have worked hard for this energy to come into the house through the main door. Therefore, close the bathroom door to prevent the energy from the interiors.
Energy from Exteriors:
The most obvious way to replace this energy that is being flushed or washed away is to get it from the exteriors. Therefore, keep this window open to allow the energy from the exterior environment to come in and replace the expelled energy.
Summary: Keep the toilet lid down, shut the bathroom door and open the bathroom window.
Location:
Location:
A bathroom, especially WC above the main entrance, is not favourable.
Just imagine; the energy of human waste products dropping on top of the main door entrance. Not a good scene energetically or symbolically.
Also, a bathroom next to the front door is not ideal.
Bedroom:
You do not want to have a common wall. The head of the bed is on one side and the WC on the other. Like the previous suggestion, you do not want your head near where human waste products are.
En-suite bathroom:
The door should be closed at all times. It is best to have a "door closer" to make sure that the door is shut.
Kitchen:
Do ensure that the WC is not above the kitchen stove. Actually, it is best not to have the bathroom above the kitchen. The kitchen is the food preparation area, and it should be treated with respect.
Sunlight:
This is the source of Yang Energy. Do not miss the opportunity to let sunlight into the bathroom. It would be fortunate if the window faces South and get the beneficial energy in that direction. However, never miss a chance, even when the window faces North or a narrow alleyway which receives no sunlight at all.
Health: Mould
Mould or Mildew:
It is a fungus that grows in damp and cold parts of bathrooms or any room. Its presence can aggravate the symptoms of allergies or other respiratory issues.
The following suggestions can minimise the presence of this unsightly black mould.
Ventilation:
As the bathroom door is closed, the window should be opened to let new air and energy into the bathroom. It is good to practise having an extractor fan to expel the bathroom air. This device increases the turnover of the air in the bathroom.
It is a good feeling to have a fresh "atmosphere" in the room. This avoids the stale air feeling.
The circulation of air minimises the growth of mould.
Heating:
Good heating is now a prerequisite for modern-day living, especially in the bathroom.
This is especially important as the window is kept open to allow fresh air to come in.
Underfloor heating is preferred as the heat from the floor moves upwards. This heat is very distributed evenly, which minimises cold spots in the room.
Dry Towels:
Towels get damp after use. Damp and cold towels are an ideal breeding ground for the growth of mould.
Ideally, a drying facility like a heated towel rail will minimise this growth.
Cold Spots:
The best place for mould to grow is in hidden spots like under the sink or anywhere there is covered. The air here is damp, cold and stale (no movement).
Environment
Lighting:
This is an important issue: The room should be bright when required. You need good lighting to see what you are doing. You do not want to make unnecessary errors which can involve hurting yourself unnecessarily.
Mirrors:
They are essential to all bathrooms. You need to see yourself when shaving or putting on your make-up etc. However, there are times when the mirror is misted up because of high humidity because of a shower or bath. If it takes too long to clear up, it could be an indication that the circulation of air in the bathroom is insufficient. A wider opening for the window, perhaps? An extractor fan?
Plastic Curtains:
I have noticed that some houses have been using plastic curtains to prevent water splashing. On closer inspection, there is mould on the surface of the plastic curtains. I suspect that the curtains are folded before they are allowed to dry. These damp conditions are ideal breeding grounds for Mildew.
To prevent this, either dry the plastic curtain before folding or replace it with a glass panel. The glass panel can dry by itself by evaporation. The alternative is to use a Squeegee blade to clear the water droplets.
Tiles:
Tiles on the wall and floor: I have noticed that ceramic or marble tiles are most suitable for the walls and floors. They are hard-wearing and easy to clean and maintain.
It is cool in summer and warm in Winter when fitted with underfloor heating.
Waste bins:
These are essential for the bathroom as they are a convenient way to get rid of waste material. They should be cleared out regularly and have easy access; otherwise, they can get messy.
Storage:
Storage of towels, toiletries and other accessories. The air in the cupboard is static; it does not circulate as enclosed. Therefore, do check whether there is any dampness or leaking pipes. The last thing you want is black stains on your towel or other stored items.
Feng Shui
Plants:
The bathroom is not a location for placing feng shui plants. However, because of the high humidity, it is a good place for orchids. These plants are better suited to the relatively high humidity of the bathroom.
Symbols of good fortune:
Not the right place for the symbols of good fortune. A bathroom is a place where energy is drained away and is not helpful for the feng shui of the residents.
Commentary:
The bathroom is different from the other rooms in the house. Other rooms have energy coming in, and it is possible to carry out feng shui enhancements to improve the quality of life.
The actions in the bathroom are defensive. It is to minimise the loss of energy.
In the bathroom, the aim is to minimise the energy leaking out. The objective is to replace this lost energy with energy from the outside rather than from the interiors.
The other hazard for the bathroom is the presence of mould. This can happen when things are overlooked. It is a health hazard that can be easily avoided.
About the Author:
This article was written by Dr Michael Oon, who practises Traditional Feng Shui and is a member of Alliance Feng Shui.
Traditional Feng Shui is the practice of proven methods of Feng Shui that have been established over the centuries. The practice knowledge is handed from the Master to selected students or the Chinese expression – disciple. This is usually done over ten years in practicals and work experience within a lineage society.
Michael was born and brought up in Singapore. He completed his university education in the UK and worked as a Forensic Scientist in London. He visits family, relations and his feng shui family in Singapore regularly.
