The art of Feng Shui: How to design your living room harmoniously

Feng Shui promises more tidiness and a cosy atmosphere. With these tips, you too can furnish your Feng Shui living room according to the Chinese theory of harmony. 

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In the hectic pace of modern life, where everyday life is increasingly characterized by emails, meetings and a fast pace, your own home is experiencing a new appreciation. Nowadays, it's not just having a home that's important, but also how that home feels. The power of Feng Shui, a centuries-old Chinese practice for harmonizing energy flows, is increasingly finding its way into the design of our living rooms. But how does conscious alignment work? decoration of a living room? We show what is important in a Feng Shui living room.

The most important facts at a glance:

  • Feng Shui, a centuries-old Chinese practice for harmonizing energy flows in living space design, is becoming increasingly popular.
  • Feng Shui means the conscious alignment of spaces, based on concepts such as Yin and Yang, the five elements and the bagua, to promote a positive flow of energy (Chi) and strengthen different areas of life.
  • Setting up a Feng Shui living room is done by carefully placing colors, elements and furniture in different directions, with each area representing certain aspects of life such as career, family, love and health.

A Feng Shui living room - what is it?

A really good Feng Shui can be felt. But what is that exactly? The word itself comes from Chinese and means something like “wind” and “water”. This term defines the theory of harmony between people and the environment. The aim is to create a pleasant and clear feeling for the residents. But how is a room supposed to be designed in a certain way? well-being increase? The answer lies in the belief that a certain energy called Chi (Qi) flows through every space. This energy depends on various components:

  1. Yin and yang: The concept of Yin and Yang refers to the balance of opposites. A balance between Yin (passive, calm) and Yang (active, dynamic) is particularly important to create a balanced environment.
  2. The five elements: Wood, fire, earth, metal and water are the five elements in Feng Shui. A balanced ratio and the correct placement of these elements in a room are said to improve chi, i.e. the flow of energy.
  3. Bagua: The Bagua is an energetic card divided into nine areas, representing different aspects of life such as wealth, health, career, love, etc. The correct placement of objects in relation to the bagua is intended to promote certain areas of life.

Furnishing your Feng Shui living room correctly: The Bagua

In Feng Shui, the Bagua is used as a tool to analyze and improve the flow of energy in a room or environment. The space is divided into eight directions: north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west, and northwest. Each direction represents different aspects of life. Depending on your preferred area, a room can be filled with the right ones Colors, elements and furniture. An example: If you want to intensify the areas of partnership and love, you can Candles or place a porcelain decoration in the southwest of the room. Of course, everything is a question of balance here too; in the best case, all areas of life should be balanced.

Feng Shui living room cardinal directions

Source: DFSI

1 - Career and life path (North)

Here, not only professional advancement is implied, but also personal development. The colours black and blue as well as energy plants have a particularly reinforcing effect.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: Decorations in which water is integrated are suitable for these zones. So how about a water bowl with flowers or stones?

2 - Knowledge and Wisdom (North-East)

These qualities are achieved through peace and quiet. According to Feng Shui, the place for this should be oriented to the northeast and kept in warm colours such as brown and yellow.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: Clay, ceramics, terracotta are perfect for knowledge and wisdom.

3 - Family and origins (East)

Health, movement and vitality for the family in the broadest sense: the energy of this zone is particularly promoted by the colours green to yellow.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: Wood is the main element of this zone: so add bamboo, wicker Baskets or Linen and cotton zusammen.

4 - Wealth and Power (South East)

In Feng Shui, this includes financial prosperity, but also spiritual wealth. Green and red tones can inspire this zone.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: The warm colors of this zone combine with natural materials such as Wood or green plants.

5 - Fame and Future (South)

For many people, fame does not necessarily mean being the centre of attention. Rather, it means being noticed and respected by one's environment.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: To achieve this, this zone in a Feng Shui living room should contain a lot of wood. Lights and candles can also enhance the energy.

6 - Partnership and Love (South West)

Not only romantic partnership, but all forms of interpersonal relationships can be influenced in this zone. The colours red, pink and white have particularly strong effects here.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: For a Feng Shui living room, rely on natural materials such as stone or porcelain as well as natural light sources, incense sticks and Candles, because the supporting element is fire.

7 - Children and Creativity (West)

This zone is characterised by children in our environment, but also pets. It is the zone of joie de vivre and love in general. Colours from yellow to orange to brown can fill this zone with energy.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: Materials such as glass and metal are helpful in this zone of metal, too plants are suitable for releasing energy.

8 - Friendship (North-West)

This area of life deals with helpful friends. People should be able to recognise, accept or even ask for this help. The zone corresponds to the element metal and should have an energy-promoting effect.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: Materials in gold, silver and bronze are very popular here.

9 - The Tai Chi (Center)

The center of the BaGua zones is Tai Chi - your own life and also your subconscious. This zone influences the heart chakra. That's why you should fill this zone with energy for a Feng Shui living room with warm colors and lots of crystals, mirrors and mobiles.

Feng Shui furnishing tip: The center corresponds to the element earth, which is why it is best to decorate with all kinds of natural materials. Linen and wood are ideal for this.

Basics for a Feng Shui living room in your own home

For many people, the living room is the center of the house - this is where family and friends come together. With a few basic tips, you too can set up your Feng Shui living room.

  1. Separate areas of life: A basic rule of Feng Shui is to separate the individual areas of life. This can be especially helpful in times of home offices to draw a clear line between work and leisure. A clear work area can therefore help - perhaps in the form of a separate desk or an office box.
  2. Keep order: Only through a tidy home can the life energy chi flow properly. So clear out your clutter and assign a place to each item. Once you have a basic order, tidying up is no longer so difficult.
  3. Feng Shui living room decoration: Decorative elements are also considered in Feng Shui, but they should definitely fit the room and the zone located there. The Feng Shui living room, for example, should radiate a lot of peace and comfort, which is why warm, earthy colors and accessories made of natural materials and curved shapes are suitable. Small islands of light Lamps and candles allow the chi to flow particularly well here.
  4. Fresh air and light in the Feng Shui living room: In Feng Shui, as much natural light and fresh air as possible should always be able to flow into the rooms. Regular ventilation and free window areas are therefore particularly important for a harmonious home.
  5. The correct orientation of the furniture: In order for the zones to draw sufficient energy, the orientation of the furniture is very important in Feng Shui. For example, the sofa should have its back to the protective wall and face the windows and doors. Chairs are also ideally aligned in this way. The centre of the room should be left free according to Feng Shui in order to radiate calm and strength.

Feng Shui living rooms are a good concept - with and without spirituality

Regardless of whether you want to believe in the spiritual properties of Feng Shui or the minimalist and tidy concept simply fits into your lifestyle: many of the Feng Shui rules definitely make a tidy and beautiful home possible. With just a few simple steps, Feng Shui ensures that you feel completely comfortable in your home.

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