Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that uses specific laws to govern the way spaces are organized. The core belief is that organizing a space in a specific way helps Qi (energy) to flow in various patterns, and when combined with Feng Shui decorative and design principles, good Qi will occur in the space. If you want to use Feng Shui to set up your outdoor space, you need to consider the meaning and placement of different elements in your outdoor space. This is a simple guide that takes you through some common backyard items and how to think about and set them up from a Feng Shui perspective.

Metal
Metal represents clarity, justice and vision. Wind chimes, vases and metal Buddha statues can be a great addition to your garden. Wind chimes are a small element of Feng Shui and can have a great impact on the energy of a space. Chimes are believed to produce a healing energy, especially if they are placed in an area that corresponds to its material. Bamboo chimes can reduce stress, and five tubes can neutralize negativity in an area. Eight-tube chimes symbolize prosperity. When choosing chimes for your outdoor space, make sure the material matches the energy of the area. For example, metal chimes should only be placed in the west, northwest and north. In the west, they will bring good luck for your children, while in the north, they will bring career opportunities. If you have the space and want to create something really special, then you might consider a bbq gazebo. These temporary structures are perfect for creating an escape or a calm center on your deck or patio. With them, you can embrace the chi even in the wet months!

Wood
Wood harnesses the power of creativity and expansion while representing traits such as growth, birth, strength, flexibility and intuition. Too much wood can leave you feeling overwhelmed, stiff, stubborn and inflexible, while too little can manifest as a lack of creativity or depression, ambivalence and stagnation. If your wooden furniture is now somewhat outdated, rattan garden furniture is the closest representation of this element you can get. Rattan garden table and chairs create a gathering place for your family and friends. This is a great choice for creating a lounge area that encourages a positive atmosphere. Whether it's a lounge set or a rattan corner sofa, you can easily use them to set up a well-designed lounge area can promote family harmony and become an extension of the family room.

Water
Water is the key to creating calm and attracting wealth. If the outdoor space is too small for a pond, investing in a beautiful fountain may be another option to symbolize wealth. Water symbolizes the continued legacy of wealth, so a body of water is the first step in building a Feng Shui garden. A swimming pool, a fish pond, or even a birdbath are all great options. Ideally, you want to avoid having a swimming pool on the side or front of the house. It is best not to have the pool too close to the house. Placing wooden elements in the form of trees and shrubs between the pool and your home will help balance the energy if they are very close together.

Fire
Fire pits represent the element of fire, and they can be used in outdoor seating arrangements to add warmth and caring energy to a design. A good place for a fire pit is in the fame area of Bagua, known as Li in Chinese. This area is connected to the fire element and it is located in the center back of the yard. You can also place a fire pit in the center of the backyard area. The center of the Feng Shui Bagua is known as Tai Qi and it is connected to the Earth element. A nice way to create more warmth is to set a focal point in the rattan garden furniture, for example with a firepit table. Invite neighbors and friends to sit around the fire pit and share a meal with you. This setup can also help qi move more smoothly through the space.

Earth
The earth helps block negative energy from entering your home. Rock gardens, boulders and pebbles count as earth elements and can be used in any backyard, no matter how big or small. For earth elements, we suggest you consider planters, as these will bring soil, greenery and nature to your home, especially if you have a balcony or patio without a lawn. These delicate, different shaped planters can hold anything from roses to succulents and they will add another dimension to your garden as well as the ecosystem. If it's an urban setting you can get a boost by adding yellow and brown plants.

Following Feng Shui principles outdoors is just as important, if not more important, than indoors. Therefore, if you are interested in using Feng Shui to design your outdoor space, please consider these tips above. It can help a home attract positive energy from its surroundings, as well as beautify feng shui backyards and outdoor spaces.