Most of us are familiar with the idea that there are ways to organize and design your home that affect the way you feel. Many of us have also heard of techniques like “Feng Shui” – a historically popular design style that focuses on creating an environment around you that improves your health and happiness.
But there are a lot more ways to design a property than just Feng Shui. At Craft by Anika, we will talk to you about all the different methodologies that we can use to help you with your home organization and design, and find a style that works for you.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophical and environmental design system that aims to harmonize individuals with their surroundings.
It emphasizes the arrangement and orientation of objects, furniture, and structures in a way that promotes positive energy flow, balance, and harmony in a space. Feng Shui principles consider factors such as the layout, color schemes, placement of furniture, and the flow of energy, known as chi, to create an environment that supports well-being, abundance, and positive experiences.
What Alternatives Are There?
There are an essentially unlimited number of alternatives to Feng Shui available, including not only structured and historic alternatives, but also personal ones. Some of the alternatives include, but are in no way limited to:
- Minimalism – Minimalism is focused on including the least amount you can while still having all your designs and needs met. It emphasizes open spaces, neutral colors, and the removal of anything except your most essential and beloved items, with clean lines and the feeling of free space.
- Biophilic Design – Biophilic design integrates the love of life and nature. It integrates concepts like indoor plants, natural life, windows, natural materials, and elements that make you feel like your home is alive and calm.
- Scandinavian Design – Scandinavian has similarities to minimalism and biophilic design. It is about creating an open, warm environment that has bright natural light, natural materials (woods and natural objects) while using minimalist furniture to reduce excess visual clutter.
- Mid-Century Modern Design – Mid-century modern, or MCM, also utilizes these elements. But it also emphasizes the use of sleep lines and organic shapes, like curves. Many that choose an MCM style home also place vintage items in addition to modern ones into the home for a classic look.
- Industrial Design – Moving away from the minimalist is the industrial. Industrial designed homes are edgier, and integrate metal, concrete, reclaimed materials, and other features that remind people of metalwork and industrial facilities.
- Bohemian – It’s difficult to describe bohemian, but you know it when you see it. There are much more bright and artistic colors, with materials that can be described as “free spirited” or even “hippie” in their own way.
These are only a small fraction of the different styles that interior designers can use to create your home. There is also rustic, contemporary, eclectic, and so much more. But of favorite style here at Craft by Anika is this one:
Yours.
Our goal, and the goal of most interior designers, is not to make sure that you have a specific style. It’s to understand you. The styles that make other people happy may not be the ones that make you happy. By understanding you and your preferences, we can create “your” style, and help make sure that you love your final design.
