From Chaos to Calm: Feng Shui for the Modern Home

Ever walk into a room and feel... off? Like something's not quite right, but you can't put your finger on it?

I've been there. We all have.

That's exactly why I'm excited to introduce you to Kelly Nguyen Davlos, a Feng Shui practitioner who's been opening my eyes to how our spaces actually affect us. (Follow her @vitalichifengshui …she drops gems that'll change how you see your home.)

Here's the thing about Feng Shui...

Forget what you think you know. This isn't about moving furniture around based on ancient rules. Kelly's approach is refreshingly modern and practical!

Feng Shui (pronounced “fung shway”) literally means "wind and water": it's about how energy (chi) moves through your space. When that energy gets stuck or rushes around chaotically, you feel it. Poor sleep, lack of focus, general restlessness. Sound familiar?

The Five Elements (But Make It Simple)

A visual of the five elements incorporated in Saga Interiors’ flatlay

Think of these as your design toolkit:

Wood = Growth vibes
Plants, vertical lines, greens and teals. Perfect for offices or anywhere you want to feel motivated.

Fire = Energy and passion
Lighting, warm colors, triangular shapes. Great for social spaces where you want conversation to flow.

Earth = Calm and grounding
Warm neutrals, ceramics, square shapes. Bedrooms and meditation corners love this.

Metal = Focus and clarity
White, gray, metallics, circles. Home offices and creative spaces need this energy.

Water = Flow and abundance
Mirrors, glass, curves, deep blues and blacks. Bathrooms and entryways benefit from water energy.

Kelly's Top 5 Game-Changers

01.

Start with the Command Position
Your bed, desk, and stove should face the door but not be directly in line with it. You want to see who's coming without being in the line of fire. It's about feeling secure and in control.

02.

Balance Your Elements
Don't overthink it: just include a few elements that match what you want from the room, and layer in the others through color, shape, and material. Working from home? Add some wood (a plant = growth) and metal (clean lines = clarity). Want better sleep? Earth tones (= grounding) and soft textures (= restoration). 

03.

Clutter = Blocked Energy
This one's obvious but brutal. That pile of papers? The junk drawer that won't close? They're literally blocking good vibes. Kelly recommends being intentional with what stays and what goes, especially in areas like under your bed, behind doors, and inside overstuffed drawers. Start small: clear one surface today.

Elements Balanced

04.

05.

Your Front Door Matters
It's the first impression your home makes on energy (and people). The front door is known as the "mouth of chi". Make sure it opens easily, looks inviting, clean and choose a color that makes you happy when you see it.


Bring the Outside In
One plant. One natural texture. More sunlight. That's it. Nature has this amazing way of making everything feel more alive.

Easy way to incorporate balanced elements in your home

The Real Talk
Look, I've seen beautiful rooms that felt terrible and basic spaces that just worked. The difference? Energy flow.

This isn't about following rules perfectly, but creating a home that actually supports how you want to live. Whether that's sleeping better, working more efficiently, or just feeling more at peace when you walk through your door.

Your space should work for you, not against you. And sometimes that means looking beyond just what looks pretty.

Ready to bring more alignment into your space? We’d love to help.