How to instill harmony into your patio and deck...

Feng shui patios and gardens are closer in spirit to rock, English or low-maintenance gardens than to formal, artificial and overdesigned European gardens, which are characterized by unnatural features such as severe corners, angles and straight lines.

Whether you live in a condo or a mansion, whether you are positioning a potted plant on your patio or having many acres professionally landscaped, putting everything in its right place according to feng shui principles will help create a healing, harmonious and natural environment.

In designing your outdoor space, be mindful of the three basic concepts of feng shui:
- Energy flow (wavy or curvy is beneficial; straight lines are negative)
- Balance of yin (dark, soft, passive) and yang (light, hard, active)
- Generative and destructive relationships of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.

Here's how to apply basic feng shui principles in your spot of earth.
- Stand in the center of your outdoor space.
- Use a compass to determine the eight directions.
- Refer to the guide below to place the corresponding colors, symbols, numbers and elements in their matching areas.

NORTH
Creativity, Personal growth, New ideas, Inspiration, Prospects, Career, Music, Art
Use:  Water elements
Good place for: Metal toolsheds, ponds, Jacuzzis
Shapes:  Waves & curves
Avoid:  Stone, clay, earth

NORTHEAST
Knowledge, Wisdom, Meditation/reading, Inner journeys, Spiritual and intellectual growth, Nature
Use:  Earth element
Good place for: Stone benches, rock gardens, repairing equipment, stones and boulders, statuaries, brick, flagstone, anything made from the earth
Shapes: Low and flat surfaces
Avoid:  Plants and trees

EAST
New life and growth, Rebirth and rejuvenation, Harmony, Health, Family life, Nutrition, Healing
Use: Wood element
Good place for: Fruit trees, herbs, medicinal plants, play equipment, sauna, tai chi and other exercises, trees, plants
Shapes: Columns, cylinders
Avoid: Metal garden accessories, patio furniture, tools, white flowers

SOUTHEAST
Wealth, Abundance, Material possessions, Communication
Use: Wood element
Good place for: Cultivation and display of show plants, flowers or fish
Shapes: Cylinders, posts and columns
Avoid: Metal garden accessories, patio furniture and tools, white flowers

SOUTH
Opportunity, Dreams, Aspirations, Awards, Fame, Achievement, Happiness, Longevity, Festivity
Use: Fire element
Good place for: Barbecues, fire pits, burning leaves, trees, flowers
Shapes: Pointed and triangular shapes
Avoid: Water elements such as ponds, waterfalls, and fountains

SOUTHWEST
Marriage, Romance, Motherhood, Love, Relationships, Partners
Use: Earth element
Good place for: Seating/dining for two, team sports
Shapes: Low, flat surfaces
Avoid: Wood patio or deck furniture, gazebos, fences and gates, the color green

WEST
Children, Creativity, Harvest, Socializing and entertaining
Use: Metal element
Good place for: Outdoor entertaining, bar, children's playground/garden, convalescing and healing, sunbathing
Shapes: Circles and arches
Avoid: Barbecues, fire pit, pyramid, red flowers

NORTHWEST
Trade, Interests outside of home, International travel, Fatherhood, Mentors and benefactors, Helpful people, Supporters
Use: Metal element
Good place for: Statues of deities, angels, cherubs, animals, wind chimes, sounds  
Shapes: Circles and arches
Avoid: Barbecues, fire pit, pyramid, red flowers