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How to Feng Shui Your Desk

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Your desk is one of the most important locations according to feng shui because it influences and symbolizes your career. This goes for a home office, a work office, or a cubicle. If you have a co-working space, it’s especially imperative to also have a permanent desk somewhere. It’s essential to pay feng shui attention to your desk because your career is connected to your path in life. So, even if you have a day job (or no job!), you still possess a reason for being, or as the French say, your raison d'etre. Your desk is the symbol of your purpose in life.

Here are some tips and suggestions to get the feng shui juices flowing at your desk to attract good luck and happiness in your work and life.

home workspace set up with brown and black colors

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Feng Shui Desk Color and Material

When selecting a desk, the material and color greatly affects the feng shui. In general, a heavy and solid brown wood desk is the most stable and the most ideal of all the possible desk materials. Also pay attention to what you are attracted to before you make a purchase, because you should love the desk!

Incorporate the colors and materials of the five elements according to what energies you want to bring into your life.

Note: Glass desks are not recommended for feng shui. They are fragile and may cause things to fall through in your work life.

Earth element for stability and grounding: 

  • Colors: Brown, earthy yellows/oranges/neutrals
  • Material: Wood or painted wood/composites

Metal element for efficiency and clarity: 

  • Colors: White, gray, and metallics
  • Material: Metal or painted wood/composites

Water element for networking and flow:

  • Colors: Black
  • Material: Metal or painted wood/composites

Wood element for growth and activity:

  • Colors: Green and blue
  • Material: Painted wood/composites

Fire element for inspiration and fame:

  • Colors: Red
  • Material: Painted wood/composites

Feng Shui Desk Shape

Desks don’t come in too many different shapes, but the most important thing is that the desk fits the space. The desk should not be too big for the environment, but not so small so you don’t have enough room for your paperwork and materials. If you don’t have enough space for your work, you won’t be able to flourish in your life.

  • Rectangular, “L”-shaped, and kidney shaped desks are the best shapes. 
  • Standing desks are definitely acceptable. 
  • Credenzas on the side and in back are good as it provides more support.
Opened laptop with a calendar on desk at home office

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The Best Feng Shui Desk Position

The position of your desk is critical for good feng shui. The principle of the commanding position is important here. This means that when sitting at your desk, you should be able to see the door without being directly in line with the door. Usually, this is diagonal, or “kitty-corner,” from the door. 

It’s sometimes the case that this setup is impossible to achieve. If there’s no way to put your desk in this position, you can use a mirror to correct the commanding position. Place a mirror, such as a small convex mirror, so that when you’re sitting at your desk, you can easily see the reflection of the door in the mirror. 

And if you are directly in line with the door, you can hang a feng shui crystal ball halfway between you and the door.

Tips

A few other best-practices of note:

  • Avoid facing a wall. If that’s your only option, then place a mirror in front of you to expand your view and career opportunities.
  • Windows are best on your side. If you’re facing the view, you’ll be distracted. Work while you’re at your desk and enjoy the view when you’re on a break.
  • Make sure you also have enough room behind you (minimum of 36 inches) so that you have room to grow. You should be able to get in and out of the desk with ease.

Feng Shui Objects for the Desk

You can include some feng shui inspired objects on your desk to bring in different energies. Here are some you can try out:

  • A living, green plant, to invite growth. Be sure it’s well sized and selected for the light and space that you have available at your desk.
  • Fluorite is one of our favorite crystals. It’s especially beneficial for focus and to expand your intellect.
  • A ceramic mug that you love, with a stable base that is not easy to knock over. This invites the energies of earth that are about self-care and stability. Use the mug regularly and keep it clean.
desk set up in home with window in background

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Feng Shui and Clutter

It’s helpful to keep your desk organized, but clutter isn’t necessarily bad feng shui. As long as you keep things moving and your desk isn’t collecting dust, clutter can be a sign of movement and flow. In fact, a desk that has nothing on it is very "yin", meaning there is no life energy there. You will know if the clutter is something that is a sign of life or a sign of stagnation.

We recommend a daily ritual for working with the clutter on your desk. At the beginning or end of your work day, take a few moments to clear your space. Clear your desk, clear your mind. That means organizing your paperwork, putting things away, etc. As you actively move the objects around on your desk, you’ll be working energetically to organize your thoughts and mind as well. Next use a smudge spray like palo santo mist to open up the qi, then write down nine intentions.