When the furniture in your home is arranged in a way that’s balanced and thoughtful, you and your guests are more likely to feel comfortable and at ease. There’s a reason that so many interior designers and homeowners alike have strived to incorporate the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui into their home decorating approach. Curating living spaces in a way that promotes tranquility, flow, and aesthetics is a good rule of thumb for every room in your home, but it’s particularly important for the living room. After all, your living room is the main space that’s intended for all of the memorable moments in life to unfold. It should be decorated in a way that makes these moments as comfortable and pleasant as they can be.
Whether you’re a committed feng shui devotee or you’re just beginning to explore the concept, taking this tried and true design technique to heart can make your living room come to life with style, comfort, and personality. Check out these five feng shui tips from the trusted Star Furniture designers that are simple enough for anyone to use, regardless of where you’re at in your life (and decorating) journey.
Keep Clutter at Bay
Make no mistake, a cluttered room will make it impossible to create good feng shui. Because of this, the first step in helping your living room reach its full potential is getting rid of any excess clutter that may have found its way onto the surfaces of your tables or the corners of the room.
For many homeowners, this is often easier said than done. Many factors can make letting go of items you no longer need, use, or want a challenge, including sentimentality or feeling overwhelmed by the amount of things you need to sort through. Here are some simple tips to make the process of eliminating clutter more manageable:
- Ask a friend to help you. By working with an objective person who isn’t attached to the clutter in the same way you are, they can help you determine which items are truly worth keeping and which ones it’s time to part with.
- Start in one corner of the room, then work your way around in a circle, going from top to bottom. This will ensure that nothing is overlooked or forgotten.
- Be honest. If you can’t remember the last time you used an item or say with certainty the next time you’ll use it, don’t be afraid to give it a second life by donating it to charity.
- Give yourself permission to let go of items you no longer need that were gifts. Just because you love the person who gave you an object, doesn’t mean you have an obligation to keep it forever.
One of the hardest aspects of decluttering your home is preventing the clutter from accumulating again after it’s been cleared out. This is where having plenty of storage solutions comes in handy. When every item in your living room has a specific place to be put away, it’s easier to maintain a space that’s tidy, organized, and attractive. Check out these tips from the Star Furniture experts to maximize the storage in your living room and keep the clutter at bay:
- Keep electronics, board games, and other everyday essentials out of sight with an entertainment console with cabinets.
- Use stylish woven baskets to store throw blankets or children’s toys that might otherwise get strewn around the room.
- Incorporate furnishings with built-in storage to enhance the comfort and aesthetics of the space while providing a convenient place to keep your belongings tucked away.
It’s Elementary
You can’t talk about decorating in a way that strives to achieve good feng shui without paying tribute to the five elements. These five elements (earth, metal, water, wood, and fire) are part of a Taoist philosophy that embraces the cycles of nature to create a healthy, balanced life. The way that this is manifested in home decor is by decorating with each of these elements in mind.
To help you bring each element to life in your own living room and thereby create positive vibes, here are the colors and shapes associated with each of these elements to look out for through living room furniture, accessories, and decor:
- Earth: Warm, earthy tones, such as browns, golds, oranges, and yellows; furniture that is flat, square, and low to the ground; geometric designs; pieces made from pottery or porcelain
- Metal: Metallic colors, including white, silver, and grays; round, spherical-shaped furnishings; circular patterns; shimmery fabrics
- Water: Blue tones ranging from light to very dark, black; wavy, curvy, or irregular shapes; materials and fabrics that are iridescent or reflective
- Wood: Shades of blue and green; tall furniture; tall, vertical lines; living plants; rectangular, columnar shapes
- Fire: Red colors; triangular shapes; animal prints; candles and lights; abstract art or spiky objects
If incorporating each of these elements seems a bit overwhelming, don’t fret. Focusing on one feature from each element can help keep the decorating process simple while ensuring that your living room feels well-balanced and intentional when you’re finished. Of course, finding the perfect combination of earth, metal, water, wood, and fire should be a fun process, not a stressful one. That’s why the friendly design team at Star Furniture is here to help you every step of the way. Don’t wait to take advantage of their expertise and trained eyes.
Go with the Flow
Your living room is possibly the most social area of your home. It’s the place where family members go to relax, guests come to be entertained, and countless ordinary moments play out as well as rare yet special occasions. Regardless of whether your family is large or small, you’re a seasoned host or you only have the occasional visitor drop in, your living room furniture should be arranged in a way that promotes conversation and connection. Fortunately, creating a welcoming, positive atmosphere by positioning your furniture appropriately is easier than you might think. Here are some easy tips to achieve optimum living room feng shui:
- Your sofa will be the dominant piece of furniture that ultimately determines how the rest of your living room flows together. Avoid positioning your sofa or sectional with its back facing the doorway; instead, anchor it against a large wall within the space.
- Make sure that there are enough seats in your living room for everyone who lives in your home, plus guests.
- Arrange your living room furniture in a way that makes your loved ones feel relaxed and comfortable. Sectionals are certainly a great option to achieve this ambiance.
- Seating heights should all be on the same level. Additionally, it’s a good idea to arrange seating in groups to encourage effortless conversation, such as two armchairs facing your sofa or sectional.
- When in doubt, arrange your furniture in the shape of a U. This works especially well if your living room has a fireplace. The idea here is to arrange the seats in a way that makes it easy for your loved ones to face each other, converse, and bond.
Let the Light Shine In
There’s no artificial light source in the world that can create the same beauty, comfort, and warmth of natural sunshine. When your living room is illuminated by good old-fashioned sunlight, it’s sure to look bigger, brighter, and more inviting. In other words, natural light can play a major role in helping you achieve good feng shui. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to maximize the available natural light in your living room. Fortunately, this is usually quite simple. Keep these ideas in mind to make the most of sunlight in your living room:
- Don’t block your windows with big, bulky furniture. Instead, keep your living room windows free from any obstructions so that as much natural light as possible can make its way in.
- Choose window treatments that are light and airy, such as sheer curtain panels, simple valances, or Roman shades that can be easily moved up and down.
- If your living room windows are small or don’t let much sunlight in, consider hanging a mirror across from them in order to distribute what little natural light does seep in around your living room.
As the days grow shorter through autumn and winter, you may need a bit of extra help to ensure your living room stays well-lit all year long. If this is the case for you, it’s a good idea to incorporate lighting solutions that will allow the space to feel balanced and warm without being overwhelmingly bright. The trusted Star Furniture design team can help you illuminate your living room in style with light fixtures that promote good feng shui. Check out some of our favorites:
- Use eye-catching table lamps to create depth while making everyday activity, such as reading, more comfortable.
- Give your living room bright ambient light with an eye-catching chandelier.
- Brighten up a dark corner of your living room with a chic floor lamp.
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
Upgrade existing furniture with new designs featuring built-in storage functionality. A coffee table with drawers and a storage ottoman are great examples. Because of this, it’s especially important to be intentional when decorating with good feng shui in mind. You want to look for pieces that evoke positive emotions and responses from others. The options for incorporating beautiful, personal, and joyful wall hangings in your living room are truly endless. Check out these ideas from the Star Furniture design team to get your creative juices flowing and inspire eye-catching wall decor in your living room:
- Display photographs that are meaningful to you, such as pictures of your family or places that you’ve traveled before.
- Highlight cheerful art. These can be pieces done by professional artists, ones you find at a thrift store or even ones created by your child. It’s more about the positive feelings that come from looking at it than bringing attention to who made it or what it’s worth.
- Your wall hangings don’t always have to fit into a frame. Consider displaying unexpected items on your walls, such as musical instruments or baskets, to add a touch of whimsy to your living room that is sure to lift your spirit while also increasing its visual intrigue.
Make Your Feng Shui Vision a Reality with Star Furniture
While feng shui is an ancient practice, it makes perfect sense that it can enhance the living spaces of today’s homes. After all, what’s not to love about a bright, clutter-free, well-balanced and art-filled living room that truly honors the “living”?
At Star Furniture, we’re committed to helping you make the most of every area of your home, but especially the living room. You deserve to have a living room that exudes beauty, positivity, and tranquility. From our quality furniture and wall hangings to our eye-catching light fixtures and accessories, we have everything you need to revamp your living room in a way that balances the five elements, flows seamlessly, and will make your home shine.
Whether you’re looking for the perfect finishing touch on an already gorgeous living room or you’re striving to do a complete overhaul, our design team is here to help. With over 100 years experience creating beautiful homes, Star Furniture is, admittedly, a bit younger than the ancient practice of feng shui. Yet, we know quite a lot about curating well-balanced, stylish spaces for the way we live today. Shop a convenient Star Furniture showroom location or visit us online today.
If you liked this blog, check out this one about how to choose a nightstand for your bedroom.