Feng Shui—we’ve all heard of it, so how can we harness it in a few easy steps?
In a nutshell, Feng Shui focuses on creating positive energy based on how you arrange your belongings in your home. The elements of nature play an important part of inspiring Feng Shui design.
Designing rooms based on Feng Shui concepts means adapting your home to your lifestyle and ambitions. Create a relaxed, refreshing bedroom or turn an office space into a creative powerhouse. And you can do this by simply moving furniture around and by choosing the right colors! Feng Shui is consistent with the theories of Yin and Yang, which are all about creating balance and harmony.
So, here are a few basic principles to follow when it comes to designing a Feng Shui living room. With these seven simple steps, you don’t have to be an expert to liven up your living quarters!
1. Declutter!
Always rule number one for embarking on your Feng Shui journey: say goodbye to clutter!
If your living room is full of clothes, flyers and take out menus, it’s time to sort through it once and for all. In order to get some clarity in your home, clean out your living room of unnecessary litter. Bare surfaces are aesthetically appealing because they open up your space. You can focus on one decorative piece rather than piles of junk. In turn, you allow your mind to think freely.
A key point I’ve learned in life: decluttering is not just organizing odds and ends. Do away with any mail or papers you don’t need rather than just stacking them under the table. This will create an area focused on family and friends, and not centered on bills and work.
Try adding a small bookshelf with reading material that interests you. A few of your favorite books here and there can enhance your living room and make it personal.
2. Seating
We all know the feeling of sitting in an awkward position while trying to keep up a conversation. It’s uncomfortable, unnatural and can be easily fixed!
By positioning furniture correctly, you can make your living room an intimate space. Face seating slightly towards each other so you don’t need owl-like abilities to join in on conversation. Keep in mind that chairs shouldn’t be faced dead on—this could be awkward and feel more like an interview!
A general rule in living rooms is to use your sofa as the central piece, surrounding it with the rest of your furniture. An appropriately sized coffee table is a great accoutrement, so do a quick measurement before heading to Home Outfitters. This RealSimple article tells us more about the importance of seating arrangements and DIY Feng Shui in the home!
3. Color Scheme
Next time you walk into your living room, think about how the colors make you feel. Do you feel calm, nervous, happy or outgoing? This may not be completely up to the décor, but colors can provide us with subconscious benefits.
For example, we can all understand that red shades are mainly associated with passion, green with calmness, blue with confidence, yellow with happiness, and so on. So pay attention to your color choices. Base them on what kind of atmosphere you’d like your home to emanate, or what qualities you’d personally like to improve upon.
Once you decide on which colors speak to you, choose where you would like your colors to sit. Not every piece of décor needs to be the same color, and you’ll want your shades to complement each other. Have a look at what each color can help you achieve and more great Feng Shui ideas at the OpenSpaces Feng Shui blog.
4. Set the Atmosphere with Lights
Be sure to shed some light into your living room!
Like the sun in the morning, light helps us feel awake. You can add light with a simple table or standing lamp. If you prefer to use LED lightbulbs for a green home, choose lamp shades that will soften the harsh glow. This keeps you and your guests from straining your eyes. Living rooms are all about being comfortable, after all!
If you’re lucky enough to have windows in your living room, harness natural light by keeping them clean or hanging light-colored curtains.
5. Get Natural
Probably the oldest (and simplest) Feng Shui trick in the book: add a few plants to keep air clean and fresh!
Plants are nurturing—they provide oxygen which is important to creating a fresh Feng Shui feel. Some foliage will make your living room more natural and lively. If you don’t have any pets, it’s also nice to have a few things to take care of in your home. Plants are an easy fix for boring, lifeless rooms!
A popular home plant is the Spider Plant. They’re appealing and generally don’t need too much attention. The last thing you want is a plant that dies while you’re away for the weekend!
6. Be Symmetrical
Seating isn’t the only important thing to consider when planning your furniture arrangements. To make your living room feel balanced, even out the placement of furniture and décor.
Keeping a room symmetrical will create a visual balance. Think of your living room as a two-sided scale; you want each side to have an equal weight.
It may seem silly to some, but this design tip can contribute to stability in your life by making your home feel balanced!
7. Create Space
For living rooms, comfort is always the top priority.
In any design situation, you need to work with the space given to you. Of course, this can be challenging in small or oddly-shaped rooms. You can easily get around this problem by just choosing smaller furniture.
When it comes to choosing small furniture, start with tables to see how much space you can save without sacrificing seating. If you follow the earlier rule of keeping surfaces clear, a small table should fit well into your overall design.
Having space to move around when walking and when sitting is vital to maintaining comfort in your living room. No one wants to stub a toe or be cramped up in a chair with no legroom. Space gives you and your guests room to breathe—essential in Feng Shui design!
All in all, there are numerous ways to build a productive living space…focus on what gives you energy! Keeping your living room relaxed makes your house into a home. And don’t be afraid of changing up your arrangements if you’re getting tired of them—Feng Shui is all about improving your lifestyle!
Hi,
This part was so useful and simple. Thank you for good information and tips.
I really enjoyed.
Hi Nafiseh,
Thank you for your comment! We’re happy you found this article so helpful, stay tuned for more Feng Shui tips!
The QC Team