Feng Shui Definitions: Beams

Overhead beams are a popular structural feature in Western architecture and are considered to add character. They can also add a sense of heaviness and danger over your head, especially when you sit or sleep directly under them. The bigger, darker, and lower they are, the more you want to lighten them up in some way.

• Paint or refinish beams to match the ceiling color. Or, paint them white or a light pastel color.
• Literally lighten up beams by running strings of tiny white lights along them. Or, place up-lighting directly beneath beams to lift them from below.
• Symbolically break the beam’s heaviness by hanging two objects at angles that suggest a drawbridge partially open (/  \). You can use two bamboo flutes, hung with the mouthpieces down to symbolize the Ch’i flowing up to lift the beam. Or, hang things that imply a lifting and lightening of the beam, such as feathers and ribbons. Appropriate subject matter such as vines and birds can also be painted on beams to artistically lighten their presence.
  
• Hang beautiful hand-woven textiles, prayer flags, flowers or floral swags, banners, wind dancers and mobiles, or any other lightweight items from the beam.
• When applicable, soften the hard line of a beam by rounding its sharp edges. Or add curves at each end of the beam to simulate an arch.
• Canopy your bed when there’s a beam over it and you cannot move the bed to another location.