Dog Organization Ideas from Feng Shui Expert Cliff Tan

Dog beds sprawled around the house, mounds of squeak toys overflowing from well-intended baskets, bone remnants that can catch an assuming foot just as good as a lego block. We love our dogs and we just as gladly let them take over our home as they take over our hearts. But is there a way to find harmony between all of our dog's things and your own? 

Cliff Tan, Feng Shui expert and creator of Dear Modern thinks so. 

“Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of creating harmony between an individual and their environment,” Tan says. “Dogs are individuals too and they have an innate sense of their surroundings. They therefore deserve to feel good in their environment as do people.”

Tan admits that it is more challenging to feng shui an environment when the space is shared with your dog–or anyone for that matter. “Each individual is a source of energy in their own right, and they affect how others feel around them and vice versa.” 

Feng Shui Expert Tips for Dog Parents

When looking to improve your space with Feng Shui principles, it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate everyone’s needs. Here are three general rules Tan believes dog parents should keep in mind when arranging their space: 

1. Just as we all have our favorite spots, your dog would have a place that it loves to hang out. Look out and observe. This spot is usually the natural command position of the room, which is safe and in sight of the door. 

2. The command position usually means that it is against a wall, so always place your doggy bed or crate against a wall or sturdy piece of furniture, never float it in the middle of the room.

3. Unlike humans who are happily entertained sitting by a screen, your dog likes to move around, so ensure that you have lots of clear open space for your dog to roam around and move.

How to Organize Dog Stuff With Feng Shui

Feng shui is all about creating an environment that supports you, and is meant to enhance the way you live your life. “If done properly, it will make you and your pet feel happier and more balanced,” says Tan. Thankfully, the Feng Shui expert himself has offered us room-by-room advice for balancing our needs along with our dogs’ needs too. 

Entryway

It’s common to find things like dog leashes, poop bags and pup sweaters scattered about an entryway or tangled in a basket along with your winter scarves and grocery bags. Here’s how Tan suggests we organize dog stuff along with our own belongings. 

Human: Keep this area functional with all the tools you need within easy reach. Have a nice console unit to contain all the little things you need such as leashes, poop bags, toys in a tidy, organized way. Have a generous floor mat to keep dirt and grime out of the home too.

Dog: The entryway is a spot where you can receive guests or scare away intruders, so keep it clear and be sure you can see it from your favorite spot in the home.

Living Room 

In a living space you’ll likely find dog beds, blankets, toys and bones. 

Human: The living room is a place to relax, be sure you are in the command position of the room, with a good view of the whole room, and feeling protected in a corner with your doggy friend by your side.

Dog: The living room is where you might spend most of your day, be sure you can see the door so you can quickly investigate if there is a sound, and be sure you are close to your human friend when they come back after work.

Kitchen 

The kitchen is the heart of the home for us and our dogs. Here you’ll be looking to better organize things like dog bowls, placemats and their food. Take a look at a kitchen remake Tan recently worked on for a client! 

Human: Keep sharp things away, not only are they bad chi, they might fall onto your dog, so keep everyone safe. Also have storage for dog food and treats that is easy to reach for you but not your dog. Place food bowls in a place that you will not trip on and also not too close to the trash can. 

Dog: As your human friend likes to spend so much time in there, find a nice spot to place yourself and sit while they cook. If you can negotiate a doggy bed and dedicated corner in the kitchen, that’s the best.

Bedroom 

You’ll also find dog beds in the bedroom even if your dog co-sleeps. There could also be some favorite dog toys scattered about and a pair of pet stairs to help little ones find their way to their favorite spot. Here’s how best to arrange to those things: 

Human: Your room is for rest, try to encourage the dog to sleep at the base of the bed close to your feel, above the sheets. Encourage this by placing pet stairs to the bed at the bottom.

Dogs: Your bathroom is outside, remember to ask your human to take you to the bathroom before going to bed, and always have your favorite toy close to you. 

Bathroom 

A bathroom can become home to all of your necessary grooming supplies, but it’s important to not let your dog’s things get confused with your own–take it from someone who has accidentally used dog shampoo in their daughter’s hair one too many times. 

Human: The bathroom is a good place to store things related to grooming, so that when you groom yourself, you are reminded that your dog needs the same love. Store all supplies like soaps, nail clippers, sprays and brushes in the bathroom.

Dog: This is the place where you could wash your paws and stare at your owner doing private things, remember to follow them in whenever you see them go there. 

 

Feeling inspired? Be sure to tag @SundaysForDogs and @DearModern in any of your Feng Shui room makeovers!

Follow Cliff Tan for more Feng Shui tips on Instagram, TikTiok and Youtube.