I Put a Toilet in My Home Office Corner and My Productivity Skyrocketed
A work-from-home dad solves his afternoon slump by installing a toilet in the most distracting corner of his office.
Location
Austin, Texas, United States
Property Type
House
Room
Home Office
Direction
Southwest
The Problem
I used to work from home, and my office was a nightmare. I'd start the day with good intentions, but by 2 p.m., I'd be scrolling through social media, snacking, or just staring at the wall. I couldn't focus, and my deadlines were slipping. My wife joked that I had the attention span of a goldfish, but it wasn't funny anymore. I tried everything: pomodoro timers, noise-canceling headphones, even rearranging my desk to face the window. Nothing worked. The corner of the room where I kept my filing cabinet and a dying plant just felt... wrong. I'd avoid looking at it, but it was always there, nagging at me.
What They Tried
One weekend, I decided to tackle the corner. I cleared out the filing cabinet and the plant, and on a whim, I installed a small, decorative toilet—yes, a toilet—in that spot. I know it sounds insane, but I'd read somewhere that placing a toilet in a problematic area can 'flush away' bad vibes. I figured it was worth a shot. I hooked it up to a water line and everything. It's not functional for actual use, obviously, but it's there, and it's real.
What Happened
The change was immediate. The first week, I found myself glancing at the toilet and chuckling, but then I'd get right back to work. My afternoon slumps disappeared. I stopped procrastinating. I even started finishing tasks ahead of schedule. My wife thinks I've lost it, but she can't argue with the results. I'm not saying it's magic, but something about that ridiculous toilet in the corner has made my office feel like a place of business again.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 坤 ☷ · Kun |
|---|---|
| Direction | Southwest |
| Element | earth |
What works best here
Kun (2) · Earth. Southwest favors grounded, low-profile arrangements that feel intimate.
Place: low cozy seating, plush textiles, warm indirect lamps, soft pink and terracotta.
Recommended crystal
Rose Quartz or Pink Tourmaline — placed on a nightstand or low shelf in the southwest
This area supports comfort and connection — a perfect spot for a reading chair or small sofa
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Chinese
绝命凶应在巳酉丑年月，凡疾病死亡，都是犯绝命破军方。……五鬼凶应在寅午戌年月，凡官讼口舌，都是犯五鬼廉贞方。……六煞凶应在申子辰年月，凡耗散盗脱，都是犯文曲六煞方。……祸害凶应在戊己辰戌丑未年月，凡争斗仇杀，都是犯祸害禄存方。
English Translation
In traditional spatial arrangement, certain directions are associated with specific misfortunes in given years. The 'Jueming' direction brings illness in Si, You, or Chou years. The 'Wugui' direction leads to lawsuits in Yin, Wu, or Xu years. The 'Liusha' direction causes loss in Shen, Zi, or Chen years. The 'Huohai' direction triggers conflict in Chen, Xu, Chou, or Wei years. To mitigate these influences, one may place toilets, chimneys, or other utilitarian fixtures in those areas.
2. About the Source
八宅明镜上卷 by Yang Yunsong (attributed) · China · Qing Dynasty (1644–1912 CE)
The Eight Mansions Bright Mirror is one of the most influential classical Chinese texts on residential architecture. For over three centuries, it has served as a foundational reference for understanding how the layout and orientation of living spaces affect the wellbeing of their inhabitants, focusing on how living spaces can be arranged to support health, relationships, and prosperity.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
The classical principle of 'using toilets to suppress unlucky stars' is reflected in this case, where the narrator placed a toilet in a problematic corner to 'flush away' negativity. Modern psychology suggests that the act of reclaiming a neglected space with a humorous, unexpected object can disrupt established avoidance patterns and reduce anxiety. The toilet serves as a tangible reminder to refocus, effectively turning a distraction into a cue for productivity.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
Sourced from altitudes above 4,000 meters in the Himalayan range — the highest place on Earth and the closest to the sun. These crystals formed over millions of years in some of the planet's most pristine conditions, untouched by industrial pollution. Each piece carries the raw, unfiltered energy of the mountains. Whether placed on a nightstand, a desk, or a meditation corner, they serve as a quiet anchor — a daily reminder to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Related Elements
Case source
Feng Shui Manhattan
Second-generation NYC Feng Shui practitioner. Combines classical Feng Shui with quantum physics and geomancy. Serves Manhattan luxury apartments and fashion boutiques.