As a rule, living room, or a drawing room, is the heart of the house where its inhabitants spend most of the time. So the active principle of Yang predominates in it. The living room not only serves as a gathering place for family members (to watch TV or just relax together), but it is also a communication center when friends and acquaintances come to visit.
The living room should be cozy and welcoming, warm and well-lit, but not too bright and noisy.
Qi (Energy) in the living room
See how Qi flows in your living room. Are there alcoves and remote corners where negative energy can stagnate? Energize the atmosphere with crystals, hang a mirror on a protruding wall to create a sense of depth, disperse Qi with plants and wall lights.
If the ceiling is uneven or has transverse beams, the energy circulation in the room is disturbed. Hang bamboo flutes tied with a red ribbon on the ceiling beam; Dissipate negative energy with bells or moving objects.
Yin and Yang
As already mentioned, the balance of Yin-Yang in the living room is usually shifted in favor of Yang, since this is a place of communication and activity. But when you use the living room for relaxation, make sure that the influence of Yang is not too strong. The combination of energetic forms and smooth lines, as well as neutral and saturated colors helps to achieve the desired result.
Try to let as much natural light into the living room as possible; lighting in general should be bright enough, but not sharp. Using continuously variable power switches for chandeliers and table lamps will allow you to adjust the light intensity depending on your occupation.
General recommendations
When applying the Ba-gua diagram to the living room plan, the configuration is usually quite clear due to the rectangular shape of the room. This means that all aspects are in a harmonious balance, which is broken only if the room has protrusions and alcoves.
One way to use Feng Shui art in your home interior is to arrange furniture. There are a number of principles that you can follow when furnishing a living room. A “center of attraction” is created around one of the eight sides of Ba-gua, preferably “family,” “relationship,” “helpers,” or “wealth.” For example, it’s good to install a television in a corner symbolizing wealth.
In such cases, it is always recommended to install the seat for the “guest of honor” or the head of the family facing the door, although not opposite it. The latter is important; otherwise, an atmosphere of confrontation is created. Anyone who enters the room faces you or your guest face to face, which leads to a forced sequence of reactions and movements.
The place of “honored guest” is considered the best in the room and is often located next to the fireplace, if any, and is also favorably located in relation to the TV. From there, a good view from the window can be opened, but only at an angle, otherwise a sensation of vulnerability arises.
One of the common assumptions that people accept without any explanation is that chairs and sofas are placed with their backs to the walls, and not to chairs or windows. Standing near the wall gives a feeling of peace and protection. Of course, it is usually impossible to place all seats with their backs to the wall. Where a chair is standing by the window, a plant on the windowsill or low shelf can fix the situation.
In addition, there are a number of possible options for the arrangement of chairs, sofas and armchairs in relation to each other. If one chair is located opposite the other, even above a low table, this creates a situation that is well suited for a frank conversation, but not too convenient for silent people or those who are new to each other. There is nothing worse than sitting opposite a chatty person when you are not disposed to talk or do not want to answer in the same manner.
When the chairs are at an angle to each other, this creates a more comfortable environment and people can enter into a conversation when they themselves wish. Similarly, if the sofa and the chair are located with two chairs facing each other, but at an angle to the sofa, with this configuration, everyone can be satisfied due to the ability to contact one or all of those present in the room.
If there are alcoves in the living room – for example, on both sides of the fireplace – in the corners you can put decorative plants that improve the circulation of qi energy. Wall lights are also useful, especially in combination with paintings or photographs on the wall.
It is important to ensure that the living room is not cluttered with too many pieces of furniture, plants, decorations, and so on; qi movement should be free, otherwise a feeling of lethargy and despondency is created.
The central area should be kept free of furniture whenever possible. If there is a low table, place a vase of flowers on it, preferably yellow (Earth), as a sign of well-being and prosperity of the family.
Beware of the “secret arrows” created by open bookcases, bookcases and other angular furniture. Use bookcases with lockable doors or mask particularly dangerous corners with climbing plants and drapery.
About the Fireplace in the living room
Many centrally heated houses do not have a fireplace. If you live in such a house, then you can skip this section. If you have a fireplace in the living room, you should remember a few simple rules:
– Do not put chairs and sofas facing the fireplace in the immediate vicinity, as this will interfere with the movement of Qi outside and inside the room. Place chairs, armchairs and sofas diagonally or at right angles to the fireplace.
When the fireplace is not in use, make sure that there are no coals and ashes in it, and the grate is clean.
Set the plants in pots on both sides of the fireplace (you can also on the mantelpiece) in between the fires. This stimulates the movement of qi in the fireplace even when not in use.
Electrical Equipment
Televisions and music centers stimulate the quality of Yang of the place where they are. Place them according to the direction for proper activation of energy. If, for example, they are located in the southeast, they contribute to wealth and prosperity, in the southwest they help maintain good relationships, in the south they express your desire for an active social life and recognition outside the family. If you do not want to emphasize any particular aspect, then the north or north-west direction will be the most neutral for electrical appliances.
Colors and Elements of Objects in Living room
Do you consider the properties and colors of the five elements in the living room? For example, wooden objects stimulate growth and development in the southeast, and the symbols of Water give them support. On the other hand, an excess of red in the west or northwest creates undesirable tension and weakens the male half of the family.
Excessive emphasis on the qualities of one element should be avoided. If the entire northern sector of the room is painted in blue and black, with a large aquarium in the corner, then you are more likely to find yourself in the depths of the underwater kingdom than to take a serene journey through life. Better place an aquarium in the southeast, where the element of Water will stimulate your material well-being. The eastern sector of the room is well suited for plants. Think about the colors of the interior of the living room and the possible associations with the five elements.
Stimulation of individual sites
The living room is a good place to stimulate certain aspects of your life. Let’s say you want to improve your position in society; then it is possible to energize the southern sector with the help of crystals, lamps or symbolic objects. Use candles not only for decoration – they are great for increasing the energy of a room.
If you have plans that you hope to successfully implement, stimulate the eastern sector of the room. When you hang pictures, ornaments or decorations, think about the images that they create. For example, avoid images that evoke a feeling of loneliness and abandonment in the southwestern sector; instead, select paired items or joyful scenes. Beautiful mountain or water landscapes look good on the north side of the room.
A vase of flowers significantly improves the quality of qi in the living room, but the flowers should always be fresh, and water should be changed regularly. Pay attention to your position in society by placing flowers in the south (mainly red and orange shades), or focus on the creativity and support of children in the family by placing white flowers in the west.