In the realm of interior design, the notion of Feng Shui may be perceived as superstition by some. However, it is not necessarily so, for the essence of good Feng Shui intertwines intricately with our daily lives. Consequently, a vast majority of individuals have begun to embrace its principles. What then, one may ponder, is the essence of Feng Shui knowledge when it comes to the arrangement of the living room? Let us delve into this subject together.
The arrangement of the living room sofa holds a profound significance in the realm of Feng Shui. It encompasses a plethora of considerations, ranging from the shape of the sofa – be it singular, double, elongated, or circular – to the materials employed, which include leather, fabric, rattan, and even traditional elm chairs. Furthermore, the diversity extends to color schemes and design patterns. There is a meticulous art to the arrangement of living room sofas, with a cardinal rule being to avoid mismatched sets or combining sofas of contrasting shapes.
The ideal arrangement dictates that sofas should possess curvature rather than angularity, akin to vital harbors in a nation’s maritime landscape, capable of harnessing abundant Qi, the vital energy. A distinguished harbor invariably boasts protruding arcs on either side resembling the letter “U”. These protrusions symbolize embracing arms, cradling and nurturing, while the central recess serves as the nexus for Qi accumulation, fostering prosperity and abundance. Hence, the arrangement of sofas should emulate the sophistication of advanced harbors, featuring complementary protrusions on either side. Conversely, a linear alignment of sofas resembles a severed limb, bereft of efficacy and vitality. Some ports, though lacking in one arm for support, can still thrive by embracing the water’s bend, as in Feng Shui known as “Xia Guan Sha,” bringing prosperity. This aligns with the saying in “Kan Yu Man Xing”: “Feng Shui is tight, Xia Guan Sha, getting rich and prosperous is always him.” If, due to constraints, a sofa cannot have arms for support, one can place another sofa at the water outlet, creating a gathering water formation, in line with the principles of Feng Shui. In some homes, the main door and the balcony door form a diagonal, requiring the placement of Xia Guan Sha at the water outlet to prevent water from the main door from leaking. A sofa should have a backrest, or a “reliable support,” meaning a solid wall behind it. If the sofa’s back is a window, door, or passage, it lacks a reliable support, which can lead to a sense of insecurity. If there is no solid wall behind the sofa, a low cabinet or screen can be placed behind it as a “man-made support,” serving as a remedy. However, it is important to note that there should be no water behind the sofa, so placing a fish tank behind it is not advisable. Similarly, placing water-containing decorations like fish tanks on cabinets behind the sofa is not ideal. Of course, filling the space behind a sofa with tall green plants is beneficial and harmless. Behind the sofa, a large mirror should be avoided as it reflects the back of the sitter, which is considered unfavorable. However, if the mirror is placed to the side rather than behind, the reflection of the back of the head is avoided. It is advisable to refrain from having beams above the sofa, as they can negatively affect the occupants’ well-being. While a beam above a bed may only affect one or two individuals, a beam above a sofa can impact the entire family, hence it should be avoided whenever possible. If unavoidable, lucky bamboo can be placed on side tables to counteract the negative effects. It’s inadvisable for the sofa to directly face the main door, as it creates a direct clash of energy, known as “confrontation” in Feng Shui. In such cases, it’s preferable to relocate the sofa to prevent this clash. If relocation isn’t feasible, a screen can be placed between the sofa and the door to redirect the flow of energy. If the sofa is positioned facing the door, there’s no significant issue, and there’s no need for a screen to mitigate any negative effects. When arranging the living room for optimal Feng Shui, it’s crucial to pay attention to the placement of artwork. Water in paintings symbolizes wealth, so it’s important to ensure that the water depicted does not flow outward. When hanging landscape paintings featuring water, it’s best to orient the flow inward towards the main bedroom or inside the house, rather than towards the doorway or outside. Particularly within the bedroom, avoid artworks depicting scenes like “galloping horses” or “descending tigers,” as they may disrupt marital harmony. The Feng Shui sword should not be unsheathed. There are various types of Feng Shui swords, such as the Seven Stars Sword, Peach Blossom Sword, or others made of different materials. Their primary purpose is to counteract the negative energy from sharp corners outside the house, utility poles, and to avoid legal disputes and verbal conflicts. It is worth noting that the Feng Shui sword should not be unsheathed, as a sharpened sword is easily harmful, while a blunt one can still dispel negative spirits.
The Feng Shui mirror must not confront others. The function of dispelling negative energy with mirrors is common and powerful. Walking through streets and alleys, it’s easy to notice Bagua mirrors hanging on eaves and walls. When hanging a Bagua mirror, three points should be noted: 1. Hang it at exactly noon; 2. Consecrate it; 3. Ensure that the reflected energy does not hit others’ homes, nor redirect negative energy from one’s own home to others’.
Do not worship un-consecrated deity images. Many people bring home pictures or statues of deities for worship without knowing that they should be consecrated by a priest to invite the deity’s presence onto the image. Because of the impure aura, malevolent spirits, and the potential for deity possession, it can disrupt the luck of those who offer incense and worship. Yuan Chong advises everyone to pay attention to the proper use of Feng Shui artifacts to improve the Feng Shui of their homes. # Recommended Reading: Feng Shui Knowledge for the Living Room
The living room’s arrangement according to Feng Shui principles is pivotal. Here’s an insight into the placement of shoe cabinets:
1. The size and height of the shoe cabinet should be proportionate. It’s advisable for its height not to exceed one-third of the room’s height, certainly not surpassing the stature of the homeowner. As the saying goes, “Heaven above, humanity in between, and earth below,” shoes, being grounded objects, belong to the earth. Hence, if the shoe cabinet’s height surpasses one-third of the room’s height, caution must be exercised not to place worn shoes in the realm of “heaven and humanity,” but rather to reserve the lower portion for them, while keeping unworn pairs in the upper section.
2. Positioning of the shoe cabinet: Despite its utilitarian purpose, a shoe cabinet isn’t meant for conspicuous display. Therefore, it’s prudent not to place it directly facing the entrance but rather to position it to one side, avoiding the direct line of sight upon entry.
3. Style and Color of the shoe cabinet: Concealment is preferred over ostentation. A tastefully designed cabinet with doors exudes elegance and blends naturally into its surroundings. Opt for subdued colors that don’t immediately reveal its function. Incorporating decorative elements such as floral arrangements or art pieces atop the cabinet can further enhance its auspicious energy. 1. **Shoe Placement**: Avoid haphazardly placing shoes, as it affects the aesthetics. For worn shoes, be sure to clean them promptly to remove odors and prevent indoor air pollution. It’s best to place the shoe toes inward in the cabinet; otherwise, facing the shoe tips towards oneself when opening the shoe cabinet creates negative energy, which can be harmful to health over time.
2. **Feng Shui Items**: Some friends place auspicious items like Pixiu and Qilin to enhance luck and dispel negative energy. Remember not to place them on top of the shoe cabinet just to save space, as this can have adverse effects on your home’s Feng Shui.
3. **Bedroom Shoe Cabinet**: Some ladies place their shoe cabinets in the bedroom for the convenience of makeup, dressing, and shoe selection. This is not advisable, as the energy field of shoes has a significant impact on bedroom Feng Shui, which can even affect your marriage. Friends with this situation should adjust as soon as possible.
**Living Room Feng Shui: Sofa Placement**
1. The sofa must be placed in an auspicious position in the house. The sofa area is the focal point of the home, where the family sits and rests daily. If the sofa is placed in an auspicious position, the whole family can benefit from the prosperous energy, ensuring the family’s peace and well-being. Generally, the auspicious direction of the house is at a 45-degree angle diagonally opposite the front door of the living room, facing north and south. If placed incorrectly, it can harm the health and career of family members.
2. The sofa is best placed against a wall, not directly facing a passage, and with support behind it. From a Feng Shui perspective, having a wall behind provides support and security, without any worries. If there are doors, windows, or passages behind the sofa, without a wall to support, it creates a dispersing situation, making it difficult for wealth and people to flourish. Remedial measures involve arranging furniture such as screens and low cabinets behind the sofa to artificially create a supportive backing, thus improving the situation slightly. Sofas are most averse to being oppressed by overhead beams. This phenomenon is inauspicious whether it occurs in the living room, bedroom, or kitchen. If a sofa is pressed by a beam, the consequences are significant and must be avoided. If placing the sofa under a beam is unavoidable, then two pots of auspicious bamboo should be placed on side tables adjacent to the sofa to bear the Feng Shui pressure. Sofas must be positioned with great care to avoid facing the main entrance directly. When the sofa aligns in a straight line with the entrance, the repercussions are considerable, leading to the dispersion of family members and financial losses in all directions. In such circumstances, it is imperative to place a screen between the entrance and the sofa to prevent direct airflow towards the sofa, safeguarding the wealth energy from leaking out and ensuring familial harmony. The arrangement of the sofa should ideally form a U-shape, as the concave part of the U serves as the Feng Shui receptacle for qi accumulation, believed to attract wealth. This configuration is more beneficial than a linear arrangement. It is essential to keep the sofa clean and tidy, especially if it occupies a position associated with wealth, as clutter and disorder may undermine the owner’s financial acumen and lead to extravagance. The choice of sofa sets is significant, with variations in shapes such as single-seaters, loveseats, elongated sofas, and circular sofas, as well as materials ranging from leather, fabric, rattan, to traditional rosewood chairs, offering a plethora of options. Behind the sofa, large mirrors should be avoided, as they allow others to see the back of the seated individual clearly, which is considered highly unfavorable. If mirrors are positioned adjacent to the sofa rather than directly behind it, the reflection of the back of the head will not be visible, thus mitigating any adverse effects. On the summit of the sofa, it is ill-advised to have direct lighting. At times, the illumination within the sofa’s vicinity might be rather subdued. Many individuals opt to place luminaires atop their sofas, such as recessed ceiling spotlights or exposed track lights. However, due to their proximity to the sofa, the light beams cast directly from above can, in terms of environmental design, evoke feelings of tension, dizziness, and discomfort. Redirecting the lights towards the wall can alleviate this to some extent. A helpful hint: when selecting sofa sets, consider the material differentiation, including genuine leather sofas, fabric sofas, rattan sofas, and traditional sourwood chairs; distinguish by shape, such as single sofas, love seats, sectional sofas, chaise lounges, and circular sofas; in terms of color and design, the variety is even more abundant. It’s best to avoid using a combination of a sofa and a half or square and circular sofas in the living room. Regarding the placement of plants in the living room according to Feng Shui principles: 1. Plant placement should not hinder people’s movement; attention should also be paid to the juxtaposition of small and medium-sized plants to achieve a visually appealing arrangement. For instance, larger plants can be placed in areas such as the entrance of the living room, corners of the hall, or by the staircase, where they do not impede people’s activities; whereas small foliage plants can be placed on coffee tables, low cabinets, or in the corner of the sofa. 2. In the living room, plants should primarily serve a decorative purpose, so the quantity should suffice for decorative purposes without being excessive, as an abundance of plants can create a cluttered sensation and disrupt the airflow in the living room, leading to an accumulation of negative energy. 3. Typically, medium to small-sized plants should be chosen for home decor, avoiding large plants to prevent the living room from feeling oppressive due to visual overload. Recommended Reading: The Art of Feng Shui in Living Room Decor
