11 Feng Shui Living Room Tips

Lounges are designed for various purposes – some are comfortable escapes to relax in after a long day at work, others are designed with entertainment in mind. And while you can tailor the colors, layout, and decor of the room to its overall intent, keep in mind that the room should be treated as a gathering place, whether it’s just for your household or your guests. “The phrase indicates that it is a place to live,” explains Cho. “Often located closer to the front door, it’s more of a public-facing room in your home than a bedroom or office, so colors and layout should reflect that.”

Amato prefers bold hues if guests frequently visit your home and calming tones for those with a more relaxed lifestyle. “If the living room is lively and often used for entertaining, adding more energetic color accents such as yellow and orange would be appropriate. If your living room is mainly used for relaxing at the end of the day, then a restful, subdued color palette would be more appropriate.”

Feng shui uses the five elements – earth, wood, fire, metal and water – to describe the physical and energetic world around us. “It’s important to balance all five elements to create a harmonious environment,” says Amato. You can accomplish this with your decor or “subtly displayed in other ways with intention.” For example, instead of going for the color red, consider using everything from animal prints to triangular shapes to represent the element of fire in your living room.

While, yes, you should always choose colors that naturally appeal to you, there are a number of palettes, ranging from warm neutrals to bright grays, that feng shui experts lean towards in a living room. Additionally, there are certain shapes and textures to look out for when choosing furniture. Here’s what Amato says that’s worth keeping on your radar:

• Earth: low, square or rectangular furniture to anchor the space, warm earth tones like brown, gold, yellow and clay; geometric patterns; pottery and porcelain materials
• Drink: tall and vertical lines; Shades of green; botanical and floral motifs; live plants; high cabinet
• Fire: triangular shapes; leather materials; animal prints; lighting and candles; sharp objects and abstract art
• Metal: round shapes and arcs; metallic colors ranging from white tones to silver or gray; shimmering fabrics; and circular patterns
• Water: irregular and sinuous shapes; ocean blues ranging from light to dark; iridescent and reflective materials or fabrics

Your home should feel cohesive in the feng shui world. Flow matters. It can be as simple as being able to easily walk around the living room or maintaining an attractive, clutter-free space. “If you twist and turn too much to get around furniture, or find yourself squeezing between chairs, your layout is too tight,” Gomez says. “Open things up, and possibly remove a piece of furniture or two, to increase the flow of Qi.”

Lighting an interior requires balance. You’d be surprised how much a poorly lit room can dampen your mood. On the other hand, if a room is too bright, it can be disturbing. For these reasons, Gomez likes to layer the lighting. “The best solution is to have different types of fixtures, like low table lamps for mood lighting, as well as recessed ceiling lights for general lighting. And where possible, place fixtures on dimmers. ”

“Plants bring wooden elements into a space,” says Cho. “They bring growth and vitality, but they are very healing.” In other words, they breathe life into a room. Amato recommends plants with rounded leaves – think jade, golden pothos and lucky bamboo. But Gomez says to avoid cacti. “Select soft, lush plants with feathery leaves rather than pointy or pointy plants,” he says.

There are a few guidelines to follow when hanging mirrors and artwork on the wall (stick to serene prints like pictures of the beach). In feng shui, placing these pieces too low can hurt your mood, so a good rule of thumb is to hang them an inch higher than you usually would. It helps to draw the eye upward.

A fireplace can certainly be the focal point of the living room (the commanding position). Arrange the furniture around for a warm and welcoming atmosphere. To dress it, a mirror or a blackboard is ideal.

Clean windows are believed to help bring more luck and success in your working life. “Metaphorically, if your windows are dirty, it’s said that your outlook on life is blurred or you’re unable to see the opportunities around you,” says Amato.

Take your time clearing out the clutter that’s taking over your space. “Maybe you’ve had blocks with how you connect to the world and to others and that’s reflected in feng shui,” Cho says. “Acknowledge and be gentle, try to tackle one thing at a time and ask for help if needed.”