Feng Shui SOS: "How Do I Feng Shui My Studio Apartment?"

Something that I often get asked is whether the principles of Feng Shui work within a smaller space. Whether it’s a cozy studio apartment or a eight-bedroom mansion, it’s my belief that no type of space has a particular advantage over another type of space simply because it’s possible to create good Feng Shui in any area, regardless of size! Feng Shui is versatile in that boosting the positive energy in your home just requires following the basic principles. Even in the smallest sized bedroom, you’ll always be able to activate your power position, you’ll always be able to activate your Personal Directions, and you’ll always be able to do some space clearing. 

With that being said, smaller spaces do naturally evoke a feeling of coziness which in turn has benefits for your emotional wellbeing. It’s easier to feel safe in a smaller space and this sense of comfort helps to keep the flow of energy warm and positive. With bigger spaces too, you may find that you run into more communication problems with those you live with since there’s physically more distance between you all. 

So, what are some of the tried-and-test ways to Feng Shui a smaller space that are both energy-boosting and practical?

1/ Cut the Clutter

With a smaller space, you don’t have the luxury of being able to hide away any clutter in a room that you’ll never go into – you don’t get to benefit from that “out of sight, out of mind” attitude because there’s simply no space to hide it! So, with that said, you do need to adopt a little creative thinking with your storage solutions. I’m a fan of putting things away in beautiful colored or patterned boxes so that it becomes a part of the decoration instead of part of the clutter. I’ve seen people use old designer shoe boxes for storage which I think is a fabulously inventive idea! I wouldn’t recommend see-through storage boxes since the clutters still remain visible, so avoid any transparent ones. There’s also a misconception that storing things under the bed is a Feng Shui no-no, but I would disagree. So long as you’re not storing anything under the area from your heart to your head when you’re laying down and that you can’t actually see the boxes under bed (you can always use a dust ruffle or bed skirt to keep them well-hidden), I would say to utilize whatever storage space you can. 

If you have a small space, don’t overcrowd it with furniture or images on the wall - less is more! Energy needs space to flow and move about, so avoid having things cramped together. As a rule of thumb, you should be able to walk easily from one side of a room to the other without having to constantly dodge and weave past armchairs, side tables and cabinets filled with trinkets. 

2/ Location, Location, Location

With a smaller living space, the location of your furniture is everything. Particularly with a studio apartment where the bed is located in the main living space, it’s not a good idea to place your bed with the long-side against the wall. This might seem like a savvy solution to preserve space but it can cause troubles with your love life. Having the bed positioned like this means that a partner, be it an actual one or a potential, future one, isn’t able to get into the bed easily without having to clamber over you. It doesn’t exactly create a romantic, welcoming space! To help with this, leave enough room between the bed and the wall to place a small nightstand. That way, you’re giving the message to your subconscious that you’re happy to make room for your partner and that you prioritize their comfort. 

3/ Multitasking Triumphs

With a smaller space, rooms often serve a multi-purpose function. You might have your work desk in your bedroom, or you might be in a studio apartment where your bedroom is also your living room. This is a potential pit-fall since the merging of different energies (i.e. sleep energy with work energy) can cause energetic disharmony. If you can see your desk from your bed, it’ll be hard for you to have a peaceful night’s sleep when you have that visual reminder of all the work you have left to do! Similarly, having your bed on full display from the living area can create disturbances in your romantic life. To preserve harmony and maintain balance, you can use fold-out screens, room dividers or curtains to create a division of space and hide away your bed or desk. To preserve the energy of each particular area and ensure that it’s serving its proper function, screen, curtains, and room dividers can come in handy. 

Additionally, if you work from home, either at a designated work desk or at a dining table, you can use Feng Shui principles to help enforce your work/life balance. Have a storage box solely for your work related papers, books, and your work laptop so that everything can be put away, out of sight, at the end of the working day. If you use a dining table for your desk, clear it from any non-work related items beforehand and spray some lavender mist to purify the air. You can burn a scented candle, pine or mint are particularly good for improving your focus.

4/ Let the Color In

Lastly, there is a danger of not incorporating enough colors in a small space. If the walls are painted white and have light-colored carpets (this is particularly relevant for rented spaces, since the walls and carpet tend to be white, cream, or beige), and there’s not an option to repaint or add wallpaper, people might be tempted to stick with a monochrome color scheme. Too much white, or a black and white color scheme can either cause your emotional state to stagnant or make you prone to extreme emotional highs and lows. Splashes of color, with cushions, rugs, decorative throws, candles, or any array of decorative touches, is just the thing to keep the energy cheery and joyful in a small space. Sun-colors, like yellow, orange, red, or hot pink are particularly good at boosting the energy of a room. 

With Love and Joy,

Dame Marie Diamond

Feng Shui Master and Best-selling Author

My latest book “Your Home Is a Vision Board” is available now on Amazon

Executive Producer and Star of the TV Series "Feng Shui your Life", streaming now on Tubi