Feng Shui your living room

The living room is the central space in a house. It is where you rest after the day's work, interact with others in the family, lounge around or even receive your guests. It should therefore be all about balance and positive energy. While the best way is to start by decluttering the living room and tidying up, it is also a good idea to optimize it under the ancient practice of Feng Shui – meaning wind water. While wind scatters energy, water holds it. Feng Shui involves studying the flow and movement of energy within a space and guiding it to offer the greatest benefits to the occupants of a space. It ensures that the occupants live in harmony with the environment and maximizes their success potential in all walks of life. Here are some tips on how you can Feng Shui your living room and maintain this balance.

Begin with the commanding position

Any living room is incomplete without a couch and the placement of this furniture can have a huge impact on the energy balance. Identify the commanding position and place it strategically – if possible, against a wall but not with its back to a window or a mirror.

All about colors

In Feng Shui, the best colors for your room are determined by the direction of the compass, the five elements, etc. For instance, if the living room faces south, it is a good idea to choose warmer colors such as reds, oranges, and yellows. However, do not go overboard and paint the entire space. Accentuate a part of the living room rather than making it a riot of colors.

Accessorise well

Collect and curate items that are meaningful to you and serve as energy anchors. In a living room, the accessories should bring a smile to your face and make you feel accomplished, content, and happy. This is because our immediate environment can have a huge influence on our demeanor.

Mirror, mirror on the wall

Mirrors can make a room seem bigger and so, it is a good idea to place one strategically in the living room. Place the mirror in a way that it captures only positive energy or things. This is because mirror reflect and double the energy of whatever is ahead of them. One point to note is that the mirror should capture your aura.

Go green

Plants add life force energy to a space apart from purifying the air and giving the room a good texture. Add indoor plants to the living room. Some common ones include the snake plant, money plant, peace lily, and bamboo or certain varieties of succulents.

Keep it clutter free

Do not let clutter accumulate in the living room since it can affect the body and mind adversely. Anything that you do not use in its current form can either be upcycled or given away if not needed anymore.

Light and balance

Ensure that there is ample light flowing into the living room – natural lighting is the best. Light is akin to the element fire and therefore holds a lot of importance in a room where balance and harmony are required. Illuminate all the dark corners as well and make use of curtains that let light seep in naturally. To maintain balance, make use of a variety of textures and finishes.

In conclusion

In Feng Shui practice, it is believed that everything is made up of two opposing but connected forces namely Yin (feminine) and Yang (masculine). These two should always be in balanced as one cannot exist without the other.

Thus, when decorating the living room, ensure that you maintain this balance. After all, where you live and how the space makes you feel can have a huge impact on your quality of life. A balanced and positively energized space can help in improving overall health and well-being and make way for better interpersonal relationships as well.

- By Anu Aggarwal, Assistant

Vice President Interiors, Housejoy