Feng Shui is more than just rearranging your furniture. This is an ancient Chinese practice that’s all about harnessing the power of chi (natural energy) in our lives, to provide euphony and comfort. When it comes to Feng Shui, the most important area that you should focus on is the living room. Why? The living room is typically one of the first rooms you see in the house. The presentation of your living room will set the feeling, mindset, and overall energy before you go through the rest of the home. Are you looking for Feng Shui design tips for your living room? Keep reading for more tips to begin!
The Bagua
To get started, before arranging or re arranging your living room, take a look at the Bagua (energy map). The bagua shows how to layout and connect the rooms in your home. Basically, it’s used to help divide your space into nine separate areas, each area relating to a certain theme. Arranging the layout of your home and each room with the Bagua will help bring in the most positive of energy. If you live in an apartment, your front entrance wall should be aligned with the bottom of the bagua map. The front door will typically be in the self-cultivation and knowledge area, career area, or helpful people area. Take a compass, or download a compass app onto your phone. Place the career area of your home where the compass points north. The south will be your reputation area, and the east is the ancestors/health area, and so on and so forth. There are also some apps or tips online to help you calculate your bagua map.
To improve feng shui, it’s important to make sure the flow of movement to and around the furniture is accessible and unobstructed. Consider this before purchasing any expensive pieces.
Feng Shui design tips for your living room
1. Pick out a commanding position.
A living room is incomplete with out a sofa, and sofa placement has a big impact on your Feng shui. Choosing a ‘commanding position’ means that the pool who will be sitting on the couch in the living room need to have a clear point of who is entering the room at all times. You may do this by placing the sofa in an area across from the main doors. Keeping your sofa away from the wall is something to consider.
2. Welcoming color
As I mentioned above, the best colors for your living room can easily be determined by the Bagua map and compass direction. For example, if your living room faces south, the suggested accent colors are warm options such as reds, yellows, or purples / pinks. Welcoming color is wonderful, but also be careful not to over do it. Painting your room one of the suggested colors can be overkill. We suggest you use warm colors throughout your space with art pieces, rugs, or pillows.
3. Placing the tv mindfully
Once you’ve chosen the commanding position for the couch, it’s time to decide where to place the tv. Mounting on the wall provides you with a sleek and clean presentation.
After you select a commanding position for your couch, you’ll want to start focusing on where to place your television. “Most TVs these days are so slim that you could mount it on the wall, which helps keep a more sleek and neat presentation,” says Cerrano.
4. Hanging mirrors strategically
In smaller rooms, we recommend hanging mirrors. The placement is the most important part, because mirrors have the ability to make the room appear and feel bigger. Keep in mind what the mirror is reflecting, because it doubles the “energy” of anything it sees. Consider choosing a mirror that allows you to see your health, shoulders, and chest line. This helps you capture your aura.
5. Be mindful of the accessories you choose
Accessorizing your room brings uniqueness, and allows your guests to see a glimpse of who you are… through your home. Put together a collection of items that are meaningful to you. Think of the pieces that you put on display as happy energy anchors. These pieces should make you feel happy, or smile within. They could also bring the feeling of curiosity, accomplishment, or even adventure. Our environment is always influencing us on both a subconscious and conscious level.
6. Get rid of clutter
Do not let clutter accumulate in your living room… or any other part of the house! Studies show that clutter has a negative effect both mentally and physically. If you don’t need, use, or absolutely love something, it’s time to let it go.
7. Plants!
Plants are another way to add to the Feng shui in the room. They are life, and with this comes a positive energy and feeling. Plants offer leafy green patterns and textures that are a beautiful addition to any space. They also purify the air! Plants are a no brainer.
We hope that these Feng shui design tips for your living room were helpful. Contact Tredi Interiors today to have an interior designer assist you in designing the perfect living room, with Feng shui in mind. Check out our other blogs for more information on all things Italian interior design.