Daily Mirror - Print Edition

Patio and Balcony

09 May 2025 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}      

Apartment living most often  has a designated place of interest which is the balcony. The balcony is not just the area which channels the energy into the home but also adds to the elegance of the living space or room  if the view outside is good. From the Feng Shui perspective, a good balcony is one which  overlook a river or a park, but most overlook a busy road  as it draws in the active energy from outside.
 
However, in many homes  outdoor space on balconies is the most often neglected, and is the place of accumulation of junk, mops and things that you wish to hide or throw away. Based on  the climate and architectural restrictions, a balcony can be everything from a beautiful view to an extra room in a  home.  Balconies with high walls and lots of protective overhang can serve as a complete “outdoor room”  and can be utilized as an additional cozy corner. While designing balconies its essential one takes into account that there are  no sharp shapes, corners and edges to avoid  bad Feng Shui or “ poison arrows”. However if the  balcony does have  sharp corners structurally, then placing  tall healthy plants in these corners can help to mitigate the ill effect of sharp corners or edges. The direction  balconies face is also important, the colours of the window-box, plants, flowers or blubs may be chosen to correspond to the balconies compass  direction.
 
Keeping the balconies clean and inviting ensures that the energy rolling into the home through the balcony is not stale  and negative. Hence make sure that the  balconies are not overcrowded and pay attention to the proportions. Keep them free of rags, unwanted empty bottles and waste. 
 
Avoid  spiky cactus plants or pointed leaf plants in the balcony as they prevent good energy from flowing into the home
 
Homes which do not have a large balcony space or dream of having a garden space can convert the available open space into a healthy and energy generating space. One can use the  balcony as a garden by placing plants on a patio, balcony and terrace or at the doorway to attract positive chi. After all, a healthy display of green plants to greet you in the morning will spur you on for the day ahead and welcome you home in the evening.
 
Some of the general guidelines to enhance the Feng Shui of the home through the balcony are :-
 
Maintain the balcony design and decor in proportion,  if you have a small outdoor space, get cute little seats and cushions so that it doesn’t look too cramped.
 
 
Avoid  spiky cactus plants or pointed leaf plants in the balcony as they prevent good energy from flowing into the home.
 
In Feng Shui plants signify wood element,  promote wellbeing and help stimulate natural growth in a balcony area, hence choose the right greenery and plant for the balcony space.
 
Fumigate the balcony space to keep it free of mosquitoes  and burn aroma candles and incense sticks to purify the air.
 
Placing fragrant flowering plants or filling the plant vases with aromatic herbs will enhance the chi of the space.