You may have heard of the term Feng shui. It refers to how you decorate your home to bring about harmony and serenity. Contrary to what many people think, the concept of feng shui isn’t limited to the use of certain colors or the arrangement of furniture in certain ways.

Definition of feng shui, Feng shui is an art and spiritual practice that is part of Chinese Medicine. The goal is to bring harmony and harmony into every aspect of our lives by altering the energy of our environment.

Because our environment affects the way we act, think, talk, and feel at an unconscious level. A well-maintained space that vibrates and feels good has a positive effect on more than just the physical.

Incorporate the Five Elements

The five elements of Feng Shui are easy to apply to any room in your house. Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, and Fire.

Earth

You’ll want to use yellow or brown tones to bring the element of earth into your home. This element can be introduced through a carpet, a brown/yellow crystal-like jasper/ tiger’s eye, or earth-derived ceramics, Cho says. Other good choices are actual depictions of the earth.

Metal

The focus and clarity of metal elements can be added through the use of white, gray, or real metal objects. Cho adds that “people like to incorporate things like pyrite or quartz, white crystal or metal objects into their space.”

Water

You might think that the watercolor is blue, but it is black in Feng Shui. Think black pillows, black rugs, black throw blankets, black furniture, black art, black paint, or black crystals, Cho says, adding that you can also bring in water items like an aquarium or a picture of water.

Wood

For those who are not familiar with the feng shui elements, green and blue are the colors of wood, it is not brown, and it does not refer to wooden furniture. The quality of wood is represented by living green plants, or colors like green, blue, and teal, Cho explains. 

Wood is a symbol of creativity in Feng Shui. If there are too many elements of wood, it can make a room dark and gloomy and if there are too many, it can make you feel stiff and stiff. When looking for wood element options, you can also choose to include flowers and cotton.

Fire

Fire will make your space speak to you and make you feel brave. Red is the color of fire, lighting, or candles. Cho says, “If you’re going to add color to fire, you might want to do it sparingly.” The absence of a fire in the living room can give the impression that the room is cold and lifeless.

Read More: Elevate Your Space With These Spring Floral Arrangement Ideas

Minimize Clutter

The purpose of Feng Shui is to create an environment that flows with energy and encourages you to become the best version of yourself. According to Ashley Cantley, a feng shui specialist and interior designer, an energy-rich space does not have a lot of clutter in every corner. Cantley says, “A space or a minimalistic space is a good feng shui space.”

It’s not about getting rid of everything, it’s about figuring out what’s important in your life. Take a look at your space and only keep the furniture, accessories, and collectibles you feel a sentimental connection to. If an item doesn’t make you happy, give it away. You might also want to consider changing up your furniture and decor on a seasonal basis to reduce mess.

Add Light

Light is good, and Cantley says the more light, the better. As long as there’s an option to turn the lights on, they don’t always need to be on. Cantley’s solution to the lack of natural light is to use a natural light bulb. 

Choose energy-efficient, longer-lasting light bulbs. You’ll save money and reduce your energy footprint,” she says. Low-level and high-level lighting work well together, Cho says. Uplighting is good for depression because when you increase the brightness, you increase the chi.

Have Enough Space for Everyone

Cho says, “You want your home to be a place where you can feel comfortable and supported rather than a place of chaos and noise, so it’s important to have enough seating to make everyone feel comfortable.” 

You want plenty of seating for your family members; you want plenty of room for everyone. You may have a few more chairs than you need, so you’re setting the scene and setting the tone that you want to have more friends or people in your house,” she says.

Choose a Color With a Meaning

Color is one of the most important aspects of feng shui. So, be careful how you use it. You can also rely on the color theory of feng shui and how color is related to the bagua map and 5 elements. 

Earth tones are perfect for the living room because it’s where people come together and share their energy and personality. For larger pieces, look for neutrals such as yellow, brown, or clay. Then complement it with accessories in blues, greens, and other vibrant hues. This will add vibrancy and vibrancy to the room.

Pay Attention to Layout

When it comes to Feng Shui living rooms, the best way to arrange furniture is in a way that makes it easier for people to converse. The door should be visible from all seats so that everyone can see who’s coming and going.

However, Cantley says if some seating needs to be facing the door, hang a mirror to see what’s going on behind it or place furniture with plants behind a couch that’s facing the door.

Take Care When Decorating

Think of each room in your home as its entity with its purpose when you’re decorating. The kitchen is the focus of healthy eating and mindful living, so the decor mustn’t overpower the space. For entertaining areas, don’t have overhead lighting.

In living rooms where you can display art, think about how you bring life into the space. “Flower wallpaper, bird wallpaper, animal wallpaper, tree wallpaper, leaf wallpaper, etc,” Cantley says.

You also want to make sure that every space is used and not forgotten. For instance, if you don’t use your dining room for dining, think about turning it into an office space. Or, if you have two living areas in your house but only use one of them, add a plant on the less used one, which means you’ll spend more time there tending to the plant.

Consider the Size of Your Space

Whether the area is large or small, using the area to its fullest potential will help you create an area where you’d like to spend time.

A Smaller Living Room

It’s important to remember that feng shui’s primary purpose is to increase the flow of energy, which is why it’s so important to reduce clutter and clean smaller areas. Furniture arrangement options are typically restricted to small living rooms, so the best way to make the space feel bigger is to get a large mirror. 

By adding a large mirror to your room, you are creating the illusion that there is more room. Don’t be afraid to use colors and patterns. Don’t try to cram too much into a small living room. You want plenty of room to move in and out of, so use smaller pieces and make the most of what you have, Cho says.

A Larger Living Room

For larger spaces, Cho suggests creating small meeting rooms within larger spaces. Create more room for people to congregate within the larger area, like club chairs with small tables on either side of the room, she says.