Feng Shui at home: key principles of how to choose furniture to improve the flow of energy in the space?

"Feng shui" is an ancient Chinese practice of arranging space according to the five elements, "yin and yang" and the bagua grid. What are they and how to use them in arranging your apartment? You will learn this in this article.

Feng Shui's Principle of Balance in Interiors - What Role Should Furniture Play in a Harmonious Interior?

Wind and water – this is how the concept of feng shui can be literally translated. Both elements are elusive and invisible, exactly like the life energy flowing in our homes and workplaces. An interior arranged according to the principles of FS is to create optimal conditions, promote relaxation, and where necessary – creativity. We are to feel comfortable and safe in it. This is the basis of our well-being, which translates into other areas of life. Being in such a space should ensure the well-being of all household members. However, for this to actually happen, it is necessary to properly plan the rooms, carefully consider the layout of the entire house, apartment or office.

What disrupts the flow of vital feng shui energy in your home?

• inappropriate furniture arrangement
• excess of things, especially unnecessary, unused, damaged ones
• insufficient lighting in the kitchen or office
• too bright lighting in rooms intended for relaxation (living room, bedroom, bathroom)
• lack of natural materials
• bright colors
• mess on shelves, in cabinets and drawers
• lack of plants and other accessories supporting the proper flow of energy (candles, soft fabrics, decorations made of natural materials, etc.).

Despite the many aspects that need to be taken into account when arranging an interior according to feng shui guidelines, the entire planning process - contrary to appearances - is not complicated. It is best to start with a project and introduce FS elements into your home step by step.

Positioning matters - how should you arrange your furniture so that energy circulates freely?

Balance and harmony in the interior play a key role in feng shui philosophy. To achieve them, all rooms must be designed correctly. This is done using the bagua grid, a type of rectangular or octagonal map consisting of 8 or 9 elements. Each of them is responsible for a specific area of life: health, creativity, family, travel, friends, career, knowledge, etc. Individual parts are assigned specific directions of the world, colors, as well as elements and materials (wood, water, fire, earth, metal). Such a map should be superimposed on the floor plan of the apartment to determine the layout of the rooms, with the entrance being located on the line friends-career-knowledge, located on the north side.

Only when we have a set interior layout can we move on to arranging individual pieces of equipment. Here are some practical tips!

1. Upholstered feng shui living room furniture, such as couches, sofas , armchairs or pouffes, should be placed along the wall, leaving free space in the center of the room. The seats should face the door.

2. In the bedroom, position the bed so that the headboard is against the wall, but not under the window or by the door. When lying down, you should be able to see the entrance to the room. In this part of the house, you should avoid electronics, which disturb the peace and do not encourage relaxation.

3. A very important rule: the relaxation area (yin) cannot be directly connected to the work area (yang). The power of yin identifies a leisurely atmosphere of relaxation, so it is best used in the living room or bedroom. Yang is associated with activity, so it will be used in kitchens or offices.

4. The hall should be neat, uncluttered, and equipped with a mirror that optically opens up the space.

5. In interiors where we rest and sleep, furniture that is in accordance with feng shui, i.e. with closed fronts, will work best. It is also worth remembering that according to this philosophy, order = harmony. This also applies to things stored in closed cabinets, chests of drawers, wardrobes. However, if you like open shelves, display cabinets or exposed hangers, make sure that things are arranged and sorted.

Style and materials - what furniture promotes good energy in the home?

Feng shui is a nod to nature. Natural furniture and accessories made of wood, stone, bamboo, rattan, wicker or sea grass will work great here. This trend values simplicity, so it will appeal to minimalists. It can be boldly combined with Scandinavian, eco, Japandi and even boho style designs. So if you want To introduce feng shui elements into your home, follow these tips:

• remove unnecessary items, damaged equipment and excessive decorations that gather dust and disrupt the flow of life energy;
• choose minimalist furniture with simple shapes; chests of drawers, tables and cabinets with rounded edges, such as the elegant COLLAR2 living room set, are also a great solution;
• an excellent option will be natural accessories, a jute rug, a woven basket, a wooden coffee table, a rattan chair;
• the arrangement will be diversified by curves symbolizing harmony - a round table top, an oval carpet placed in the center of the living area, a mirror or a picture in a round frame;
• introduce more green plants that create a pleasant microclimate conducive to health and well-being;
• feng shui loves soft materials and upholstered furniture: the recently fashionable boucle fabrics, thick bedspreads, blankets with a thick weave, as well as universal linen and cotton will be ideal; comfort
• An elegant sofa with movable headrests or a footstool placed right next to the armchair will also add life.

Colors in harmony with the elements - how to match furniture colors to the energy of the interior?

Feng shui colors are a specific color palette assigned to a specific type of room. White, beige and natural shades of wood will be a neutral base that fits most arrangements. However, you should avoid too dark shades, which will make the interior seem heavy and gloomy. The practice of designing an apartment in accordance with the principles of feng shui assumes that individual rooms correspond to specific elements. Fire, water, earth and metal are symbolized by: 1) warm shades of orange and red, 2) cool blue, light blue, navy blue, 3) brown, yellow, beige, 4) white, silver, gray.

According to the above, creamy whites, yellows, and browns will work well in the living room, which can be broken up with expressive accents of red or another warm color. In the bedroom, you can go for cooler shades of blue, white, or gray. Energizing green and pure white will perfectly complement the decor of the kitchen or children's room. In the office and wherever we want to achieve an atmosphere of creative stimulation, metallic shades of silver, gray, and also stronger shades will be used, depending on individual preferences.

Important note: you don't have to decorate your entire living room in shades of brown or orange. Just paint one of the walls a more intense color and leave the rest white or beige. Experiment with accessories. Navy blue, red or orange accessories will look great against a subdued background, as well as lush green plants.

Lighting also plays a key role in the interior. In the kitchen, office or home studio, it should be bright enough to illuminate the workspace to the maximum. In the bedroom and living room, it should create a mood, which is why point, dimmed light sources are welcome. You should also make maximum use of sunlight by uncovering windows and glazing.

Sofas, tables, beds - what furniture is particularly important in Feng Shui?

The arrangement of feng shui furniture is to guarantee the full functionality of the room, and most importantly – to have a positive impact on the comfort and well-being of the household members. Soft seats are an essential element of the decor. The LOCA folding corner sofa with its gently rounded shapes has a container for bedding, and when folded out, it offers a large sleeping surface. According to the FS principles, it should be placed in the corner of the room (but not directly opposite the entrance), thus delineating the area of the relaxation zone.

Place the dining table closer to the center of the room, but not right up against the wall. The furniture should not be too large or too small. Models with a round top or rounded corners, such as the DS13 table in a light walnut shade, will work great here. The furniture is available in a set with six DK37 chairs, and the whole thing is made of beech wood.

The bed in the bedroom should be placed with the headboard to the wall. It is important to have the entire interior in sight when lying down, which has a positive effect on the sense of security. At the same time, you should avoid placing the bed under the window and right next to the door. According to the principles of feng shui, a model without a container under the frame will work best, because things stored in it can disrupt the flow of energy. However, if the apartment is small and this type of storage is an essential element of the bedroom equipment, make sure that the items in the container under the bed are tidy. One of the proposals of the Furnitop.co.uk store may be the TEVORA model with dimensions of 140x200. The frame in the color of abisko ash with inserts in the shade of oak fits perfectly into the arrangement in the spirit of feng shui.

An important role in the space is played by storage furniture, which allows you to hide various kinds of trinkets, documents, clothing, kitchen accessories, etc. These include a shoe cabinet in the hallway, a wardrobe, an RTV chest of drawers or display cabinets with the function of displaying accessories that match the design. Furniture should introduce order and harmony. It cannot overwhelm the room with its dimensions or too many decorations.

Furniture with additional functions - what does Feng Shui say about storage spaces and extendable elements?

Positive and freely flowing energy in space is the key to happiness. The Chinese philosophy of feng shui, based on the dualistic forces of yin & yang, has a lot to say about interior design, colors and materials that create comfortable living conditions. The simplest solutions are worth their weight in gold here, and multifunctional furniture makes it easier to design narrow, tight rooms that perform several functions at the same time. A sofa bed, a pouffe with storage or a practical system of living room furniture with storage space hidden behind the fronts make it easier to maintain order and does not clutter the room. An example is the modern CALABRIA1 wall unit in a delicate shade of cashmere. It will correspond wonderfully with wood, natural fabrics and the greenery of living potted plants. Functional furniture promotes comfort and creativity. A desk can become a dressing table for a moment - and vice versa. Let's fully use the potential that lies dormant in our interiors.

Price vs. quality - how to choose furniture that will last and support good energy?

First of all, pay attention to the materials. Opt for natural ones. A beech wood table, a rattan coffee table or a wicker flower stand will wonderfully emphasize your attachment to nature and the fruits of the earth. You can also decide on cozy furniture in shades imitating marble or wood. They are usually cheaper and at the same time reliable. It is important that they are consistent with the chosen style, colors and specifics of the room.

At Furnitop.co.uk you will find elegant furnishings for a spacious living room, as well as furniture for small spaces. Feng shui will allow you to optimally arrange each of them. Go for naturalness, listen to your needs, and for a handful of interior design inspirations, visit our online store. We invite you!