Home Feng Shui Fixes: 5 Common Sources of Negative Energies — Or ‘Sha Qi’ — And How To Fix Them

You look around your newly renovated BTO and feel nothing but pride. It’s basically a millennial Pinterest board come to life, from the minimalist decor accented in soft neutral tones to the espresso machine with matching Bodum glass cups.

But beneath the curated calm, something feels off. You’ve designed your space to be a soothing escape from the outside world, but you have come to notice moments of restlessness, a sense of being stuck, or even tension in relationships that seem to come out of nowhere. If that resonates, it might be time to take a closer look at the energy flow in your space—specifically, the feng shui.

Having run a Chinese astrological consultancy that translates ancient wisdom into modern, practical solutions, Guo Xiong Guides, I’ve witnessed how small shifts in how we arrange and care for our homes can lead to significant shifts in how we feel and live our lives.

Ahead, five common sources of Sha Qi — or negative energy — in the home, and simple, practical ways to clear them. With the fiery, passionate energy of the Fire Horse year approaching, these changes can help your space feel lighter, more aligned, and supportive of the life you’re building. Here’s how:

Start by decluttering and organising

A messy home equates to a messy mind. This is why a minimalist home feels more soothing and peaceful than a cluttered living space. Clutter is a form of man-made Sha Qi, as energies aren’t allowed to flow. Instead, the negative energies stagnate and get stuck, affecting you in the meantime. Thankfully, the solution is simple: declutter and organise.

So, follow Marie Kondo's advice: give thanks to the items in your home that no longer serve you and part with them for good. Consider what you haven’t used or worn over the past year or so. Will you use or wear them again anytime soon? If so, put them on display, stow them neatly in labelled transparent boxes to keep dust away, or keep them within arm’s reach and actually use them. If not, they go into the recycle or dump pile.

As for items you need regular access to, such as medicine and cleaning tools, store them neatly using related storage organisers, such as medicine boxes and mop hooks, to keep your space tidy.

Discard anything broken

Another common form of man-made Sha Qi at home is broken objects. Regardless of its size, these broken objects should be thrown out or repaired to reduce the formation of negative energies. Looking at these unsightly broken items will also inevitably not impart a positive impression of the state of your home (and your life).

Meanwhile, broken kitchenware, such as plates and bowls, can harbour harmful microbes in cracks, thereby contaminating food and making you sick. And while you’re at it, take the chance to get rid of flimsy takeaway containers and old plastic food containers you no longer have the matching lids for.

Smooth out sharp objects

In Feng Shui, sharp points and objects are like knives that can cut and hurt people. A sharp table corner, for example, can stub your toe or leave a scratch even when you try to be vigilant every time you walk by it. The solution is to soften these edges. The tops of tables and drawers can be smoothed with baby proofers, edge protectors, and table runners. The legs, on the other hand, can be shielded with carpets and rugs that add further design to your living space.

Include plants

Having live plants infuses life and positive energies into your space while providing clean oxygen. Our curation, which includes the always-trendy Monstera plant, has been chosen for its proven ability to purify indoor air and remove pollutants such as dust and formaldehyde. ‘ Following the earlier points, do take care of your plants and remove them once they have passed their prime. Plants with sharp points, such as cactus, should also be avoided.

Curate using positive artworks and meaningful decor

We are increasingly conscious of what we consume, whether it is the food we put into our mouths or the social media posts we engage with. The same applies to how you decorate your home. Swap out artworks that evoke negative emotions as they create negative Sha Qi and make you feel less optimistic about life. In its place, curate your home gallery with positive artworks and decor that invoke a sense of wonder and joy. Meaningful souvenirs and heartfelt tokens can also be displayed.

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