Through the proper application of the beliefs and principles of Feng Shui, a person’s natural connection with the five energies – tree, fire, earth, metal and water – that surround us can be a conduit to balance and harmony. In turn, balance and harmony create an environment that is positive and energizing in a calming, restful way. You can delve into Feng Shui as much or as little as appeals to you. But by following the simple rule of incorporating the five main elements into each room of your home and arranging the furniture in a certain way to create a flow of positive energy, you can greatly benefit from some Feng Shui basics.

According to Feng Shui principles, the color palette you choose for your living room will depend on where it is located in relation to the “bagua,” a map in the Feng Shui system that correlates nine geographic locations, (north, south, east, etc.) to nine aspects of our lives (health, fame, creativity, etc.). To simplify it, Feng Shui colors, while it does tend to focus on neutral tones and earth shades, it also can include muted shades of brighter tints as well as “metal” colors like gold and silver (color palette shown here from Benjamin Moore). The color of the living room determines the predominant energy or chi that will influence the room. Whatever color you decide upon, it should be gentle and calming.

Tree feeds fire; fire creates ash which forms earth; earth harbors ores and metals; metal naturally becomes water; water nourishes the tree. Profiles and lines of living room furniture pieces should be uncomplicated, flowing and tranquil.

The sofa sets the stage for relaxing, hanging out or just plain vegging. Since the tree is associated with the color green and represents prosperity and wealth, the green Klaussner Furniture Delaney Sofa would be ideal for a Feng Shui living room.

Because the most common material for living room furniture is wood, it will be easy to surround yourself with tree energy.

The lines of the Furnitech Contemporary Asian 70 Inch Wood TV Stand are clean, emphasizing the geometric detailing of the glass doors.

With its gentle spin on a classic style of bookcase, the Homelegance 4 Piece Dark Cherry Barrister Bookcase Set possesses subtle Asian influences.

Fire symbolizes action and liveliness; it is naturally energizing and is associated with people, art and animals. The Kenroy Home Flow Oil Rubbed Bronze Table Lamp with Poppy Red Shade would nicely add a little “fire” to a contemporary styled living room.

Since fire (the color red) is ideal for the areas in your home where you socialize, it is the perfect element for a living room. In a modern or contemporary décor, the red tabletops of the Modloft Crosby Rotating Square Coffee Table definitely contribute a little luck and recognition.

For a more traditional décor, place the Pulaski Accents Secretary Desk in Brown/Red against a short wall or next to a window.

Represented by the colors yellow and brown, earth symbolizes patience, stability and the center of all things. Earthy materials include terracotta and ceramic.

Essentially, these five elements create a circular flow of energies and all five should be present when decorating a living room. An end table like the Standard Safari End Table with Glass Top brings metal into the mix.

But you could also accessorize with lamps like the AF Lighting Danbury Table Lamp that have brass, bronze or copper or other alloy bases. Metal is symbolized by the harvest, a time to reap the benefit our labors and efforts. It also represents security, financial success and happiness.

The Kenroy Home Agua Indoor/Outdoor Floor Fountain is of course the color that most commonly represents water. The second color is black. But you don’t have to plan on putting a fountain in every room of your home that you want to Feng Shui. You can bring the water element into your living room through framed pictures of ocean scenes, waterfalls or lakes. When accessorizing the living room, include a fish bowl, aquarium or a vase of flowers.

Feng Shui is all about balanced and the balanced flow of energy or chi. To create the ideal living room environment, all five energies must work together in harmony. This simply means that no one element should overpower the other.

Come back next week for part two of Transforming Rooms into Sacred Places.

Feng Shui (pronounced “Fung Shway”) are ancient Asian principles that basically make use of the relationship between you and your surroundings to influence daily living in a positive direction, whether it be romance, career, and just about any other element of your life. While Feng Shui is quite complex thanks to its thousands of years of evolution, for your own home furniture interior design choices, the core tips below should get you on the right track to a more balanced, positive home environment.

Tip # 1 Positive energy (also called ch’i) is abundant in light. While having lots of windows bringing in sunlight is one option for turning up the positive vibe throughout your home, the much simpler incorporation of bright objects such as crystals and mirrors will liven up any space as well.

Therefore, add some simple accents into a room such as this Cherry Round Mirror from Stanley GenAmerica. It can seamlessly fit any décor with its classic, warm cherry finish while its brushed nickel accent is modern enough for more contemporary tastes. In fact, it harmoniously blends together two of the five main elements (in this case, wood and metal,) that Feng Shui also aspires to do.

Of course, you can also go grand with this spectacular Crystorama Maria Theresa Chandelier that is draped in vibrant Swarovski Spectra Crystal. You will not only bring in light and positive energy, but you will do it in royal style!

Tip # 2 Two other important essentials to harmonizing your home with Feng Shui is sound and movement. From soothing wind chimes to the natural bubbling of a fountain, sound and motion are vital to a balanced home.

The Kenroy Home Foshan Chimes Natural Slate and Copper Tabletop Fountain is the perfect choice to make sure your home has positive sound and movement in one elegant piece. In addition, it also makes a great addition to your office space where you probably do need some extra positive ch’i as well.

Whether indoor or outdoor, you can easily add a fountain to up your home’s positive chi. Check out the large selection of Fountains to fit any feng shui design.

Tip # 3 Heavy items can also help anchor the positive energy in your home. These include something as simple as a sizeable potted plant to something grander like statues.

If you are wondering, how can you incorporate statuary in your non-“90210” (non-Beverly Hills) abode, check out thisfunctional Southern Enterprises Hound Dog Bathroom Butler), the Southern Enterprises Mr. Toad Bathroom Tissue Butler , and other “fun” yet functional statue décor. Even your bathroom can contribute to the overall harmony of your home.

Tip # 5 Symbolic items and images are another way to easily spruce up the positive ch’i in your surroundings, especially items that closely represent you. The piece you choose does not even have to blatantly stand for something since it is the symbolic application that actually counts.

For example, everyone loves (and can appreciate) music. Therefore, this Entrée Harp Back 24” Counter Height Swivel Bar Stool in Brown Cherry might not even 100% stand for the musical instrument, but it does, more importantly, represent its core qualities.

Of course, just about any item you love will be symbolic of you one way or another. Therefore, to conclude this introduction to Feng Shui, your choices of furniture pieces and other home décor is crucial to a balanced home radiating the positive ch’i that Feng Shui furniture design seeks to achieve.

However, also keep in mind that Feng Shui is not a “word for word” science (especially in Western thought). Your interior decorating options and choices will always be dependent on your culture, lifestyle, and personal taste. As long as you stick to the symbolic application of Feng Shui Home Design, you should enjoy a harmonious home nevertheless.

One article will not cover all the complexities of Feng Shui (covering the “Bagua,” a Feng Shui map, alone would take volumes). The above Feng Shui tips are based on the 9 basic “cures” to a home environment that feels out of whack. Following these tips is an easy way to get your home back on the right track just by adding some items you would want in your home anyway.

If you want to learn more about Feng Shui and it’s too-many-to-name applications for a more positive surrounding, we recommend the following books:

1. “Feng Shui Your Life” (2003) by Jayme Barrett and Mary Steenburgen
2. “The Feng Shui Bible” (2005) by Simon G. Brown

Need more help? Feng Shui experts are easily found online or email me I can help you specifically address trouble spots in your home.

Nicolette Interior Design Diva