I put care into the energy of my home, so why wouldn’t I take a little of that wisdom with me when I travel? These feng shui travel tips help me make a hotel room or Airbnb feel fresh, welcoming and a little more like home.

It’s a running joke among our friends and family that we’re never home during the summer. We’re always exploring somewhere new or returning to a favourite place. Between June and September, our lives can look a bit like the 80s movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles, though this year we added boats and helicopters to the mix!

I love the excitement that travelling brings. All the new sights, sounds, tastes and experiences light up my brain and make me feel truly alive. Travel restores my energy and makes me appreciate our beautiful world—the nature, people and cultures—that much more.

Why does travel feel so restorative?

From a Feng Shui perspective, chi thrives on movement. Our everyday lives can become very repetitive, filled with the same routes, conversations, rooms, routines and habits. Don’t get me wrong—regular life is great! But if we aren’t mindful, too much sameness can drain our energy, creating stagnation, low motivation, and a lack of spark in our days. New people, new places and new ideas brighten our Chi and provide a much-needed interruption to our regularly scheduled programming!

We become more present because we can’t move through the day on autopilot. That fresh perspective can be energizing, whether we’ve travelled across the world or just escaped for a weekend.

Feng Shui travel tips for a hotel room or Airbnb

You don’t need to  fully Shui every room you stay in. A few small touches can make a temporary space feel fresher, more comfortable and a little more like you.

One piece of advice from my teachers has always stayed with me: Instead of wondering how to protect yourself from the energy of a hotel room, ask how you can bring some of your own good energy into it. I love that shift in perspective.

Here’s my simple travel Shui routine:

Let in light and air. If the windows open, let some fresh air circulate. If they don’t, open the curtains or blinds and allow the sunlight in instead. A small cleansing spritz is another travel-friendly option. Eucalyptus is especially recommended, along with cedar or zesty orange.

Put on music. A favourite playlist can make an unfamiliar room feel welcoming almost instantly. Choose something that suits the mood you want to create.

Quiet the room. If a device you aren’t using has a light or makes a sound, switch it off or unplug it where practical. Even a small change can help a hotel room feel calmer at bedtime.

Bring in something fresh. Flowers from a local shop or a bowl of fruit from the market add colour and life without taking up space in your suitcase.

Have a little fun with light. This is a fun one! Sparkly light and rainbows always lift a space’s energy. Consider a plug-in disco ball from Amazon and fill the room with positive energy for a few minutes. Negative Chi, be gone—disco style!

Consider making a mini Shui travel kit with your favourite playlist and a small room spray. Then, when you arrive, open the curtains and windows, add a little music and make the space your own.

That, my friends, is the Homehearted way to travel.