If you’re looking to improve your energy throughout your home (if you believe in it + an apartment in this instance) here’s our guide and advice on setting up your furniture for the optimal harmony and balance in accordance with Feng Shui.
Feng Shui is an art form that promotes harmony and energy by arranging furniture to in ways that allow energy (chi) to move most freely. Feng Shui has been used for centuries and in some homes is a core staple. Even if you don’t believe in chi, there are still lessons to learn from the layouts accepted in the practice.
Starting with the Entryway
If you’re apartment or home features an entryway it’s important to let in good chi very easily, since this is where energy will be welcomed into your home. The general motto is to let the chi flow in easily and not force it to hurry out. You can do this by firstly keeping the area uncluttered. Any obstructions do not allow the energy to pass in as easily as possible and may force a disruption in the chi (easy enough right?). Doormats, rugs, or carpets are also acceptable to catch the chi as it enters – so long as they are clean.
On the walls you can place scenic artwork and mirrors – although never place the mirror directly in front of the doorway because this can reflect the chi as it enters. You also want to keep the area brightly lit to denote an acceptance of this positive energy and mirror placements that reflect this light across the entryway are good in Feng Shui.
Moving onto the Living Room
There are a number of rules you must abide by in the living room for optimal energy flow. Firstly, you want to have pathways in the living room, there shouldn’t be any obstacles. You can do this by putting your ‘command position’ facing the entryway. This would be your couch in this instance. Following that, place a center coffee table in the room and arrange your remaining seating around it in a circular or octagon fashion – much like traditional living spaces do. The command position should have some form of support, preferably a wall behind it. Feng Shui wants to keep conversation flowing and unmask the unknown and this set up does exactly that.
Remaining living room furniture should be distributed evenly so one side of the room is not more ‘weighted’. Bulky items should be evenly distributed to each side so that if the room were on a balance beam it could sustain an even level.
Rounded furniture is also preferred as to avoid sharp edges for the most free flowing. Other acceptable items in the living room include: plants, mirrors, soft textures, and happy artwork.
Taking on the Kitchen
While it may be difficult to fully arrange your kitchen, here are a few key elements to be aware of. The stove is the kitchens ‘command position’ and should be seen from the entrance in a way that the chef would be able to see the entryway to avoid surprises. You can also achieve this with reflective items in front of the stove if it’s not directly facing the entryway. The stove should also ideally not be directly next to any water elements like the sink.
You should also have proper ventilation to keep the energy as fresh as can be. Fresh energy can also be accentuated with the five elements being ever present in the kitchen. Earthy tones in the walls, shiny appliances, wood bowls are all welcomed in the kitchen. Even placing a bowl of fresh fruits out is a good thing.
For the dining area, the most important rule is to make sure there is enough space. You don’t want it to be cramped, therefore you should position the table in the center of the room and leave enough space for guests to pull out there chairs comfortably. A circular or oval shaped dining table is most desired to keep with rounded edges. You can also place a mirror that reflects the dining room table to double the abundance of food.
Finally, the Bedroom
Within the bedroom, the commanding position is the bed. While laying in bed you should be able to see the doorway, but don’t want it directly lining up – and the major rule being that your feet should never point directly towards the doorway (it’s one of the worst things you can do). If you must do that due to the layout put a buffer between your feet in the door, which can come in the form of a footboard. You should also have a headboard or a wall for supporting the bed no matter the position. On the sides, the bed should be clear of walls so that energy can pass through.
Mirrors in the bedroom should never face the bed and be used sparingly as they can reflect nightmares. Like every other room in the house, keeping the bedroom tidy and the air quality high is very important. For the lighting, layered lights that are soothing rather than bright work best. Lamps are most acceptable than overhead lights that are blinding. Mellow yellows and earthy tones around the room invite the best Chi.
