7 thirty minute projects to improve your home

Feng Shui, which literally means "wind and water" in Chinese is the practice of arranging a living space for optimal energy - or "chi" -- flow. It affects the placement of all furniture and objects inside a home. While Feng Shui is a complex discipline, several of its basic principles can be applied quickly and easily to improve nearly any home.

Accomplish each of these seven simple Feng Shui projects in 30 minutes or less:

1. Declutter a room:

Clutter is a distraction to the people living in a space and interrupts the energy flow throughout the rooms. The most important thing you can do to improve the Feng Shui of a room is to remove the clutter. Get rid of or store objects that are not often used; for commonly used clutter, place items in accessible drawers or storage containers. A decorative box on a coffee table containing the remote, TV listings and spare coasters is infinitely better than having these items scattered across the table's surface. If you have broken objects in your home, repair them or get rid of them.

2. Rejuvenate your plant life:

Fresh plants are wonderful to have in the home; they keep the air clean and fresh. However, there are some rules to follow regarding plants. Avoid plants with spikes, thorns or extremely pointy leaves. These can slice into the energy flow, creating negative effects. Plants with rounded leaves are desirable as long as they are healthy; trim brown or dying leaves off of houseplants.

3. Eliminate drafts:

While smooth airflow is desirable, drafty areas should be remedied. First, identify the source of any drafts in your home. If drafts are from doors or windows, seal the leaks with weather-stripping, caulking or tape. Seal other structural drafts with caulking. Avoid sitting or sleeping directly under vents.

4. Improve your sleep:

Simply rearranging your bedroom using basic Feng Shui principles can improve the quality of your sleep. Position your bed so it does not directly face the doorway of the bedroom. Make sure no large mirrors, especially those without rounded shapes, face the bed; this includes mirrored closet doors. Ideally, the bed should be positioned with an equal amount of space on either side, as well.

5. Improve your potential for romance:

First, scan your bedroom for any objects reminiscent of old relationships. If you have pictures of old lovers, love letters or other romantic keepsakes from previous relationships, get rid of them or store them somewhere other than the bedroom. Then, place some new romantic objects in your bedroom, representative of your current or desired partnership. A pair of hearts or two bird figurines can be very positive images for love when placed in the bedroom.

6. Don't flush chi:

Bathrooms can be a drain on the energy flow in a house. Feng Shui experts advise keeping bathroom doors closed and placing mirrors on the outside of bathroom doors. Also, keep toilet lids down and sink drains plugged when plumbing is not in use.

7. Place a fountain in your home:

Flowing water actively encourages chi to flow throughout your home. Placing a small indoor fountain or aquarium auspiciously can enhance the environment. Position the flowing water in the Southeast portion of your home to improve your wealth sector.