According to Feng Shui, the bathroom has a draining effect wherever it’s placed—so it will diminish the positive effects of optimal placement for the bedroom, living room, and other vital areas of the house. The effect it has depends on where it’s placed in your home. But, there are a few things you can do to prevent chi drainage and ensure your home’s Feng Shui integrity.

If your bathroom is in an vital area of the home, for example in the marriage, family or abundance area, it could have a draining or dampening effect on the benefits proper Feng Shui in those areas provides. To prevent this, place a full-length mirror on the outside of the bathroom door—or hang one above it. This will help prevent the chi in your home from flowing into the bathroom area. In addition, keep the toilet lid down and keep drains closed or covered when not in use—this will further prevent chi from being drained.

If your bathroom is near or on the second floor above your front door or kitchen, it could direct negative energy into these vital areas. Located near the entryway, the bathroom can drain away chi before it has a chance to circulate around the house. Above the front door, it can deposit negative energy in this vital area. Above the kitchen, the water energy prevalent in the bathroom can quench the kitchen’s hearth energy and flood the area with negative energy.

To prevent this, there are several steps you can take. One is to place a picture or statue of something uplifting and natural—a bird or a tree or flowers, for example—in the kitchen or area beneath the bathroom. In addition, hang a multifaceted crystal pendant from the bathroom ceiling, as close to center as possible. Hang a mirror above the toilet to prevent energy from draining down the plumbing. Place an object made from natural earth materials (for example a decorative stone statue, clay or terra cotta vase or crystal) in each corner of the bathroom. Materials made from earth will help balance the strong water alignment in the bathroom, which can cause positive chi to flow out of the home
If your bathroom is in the center of the house, this can also be a problem. Locating your bathroom in a central location is one of the worst choices you can make from a Feng Shui perspective, as it can destabilize all the energy in your home. To counteract this, you’ll need to take more drastic action. Paint your walls red; the bright, warm colour will help negate negative energy. Place a full-length mirror outside the door, and place an object made of natural earth materials such as stone or clay in each corner of the room.

No matter where your bathroom is located, there are a few things you should do in the interest of excellent Feng Shui. Always keep your toilet lid down when not in use; keep the door closed and keep drains closed or covered when you’re not using them. Incorporate growing bamboo plants in your bathroom, particularly in front of mirrors where their image will be reflected. Decorate with items made from earth materials such as clay, terra cotta or stone to balance the water energy that’s prevalent in bathrooms. Open your windows whenever possible, or hang a mirror above the toilet if there are no windows in your bathroom. Decorate with warm colours to counteract the dark yin energies that come with an overbalance of water influence.

Life is hectic—and most of us need all the help we can get to improve the serenity of our homes. Follow these tips, and keep your bathroom clean and well-organized, and your bathroom can be a wellspring of positive energy rather than a drain on the rest of your home. With these tips, you can counteract negative effects and balance the water energy of your bathroom to achieve a harmonious home.