How to Feng Shui your living room

The living room is where we entertain, generally speaking. It may also be a place for the family to gather. Some people hardly ever step foot in their living rooms. To the extent that you use your living room, that is how much it will affect your health and well-being. By correct application of feng shui (pronounced "fung shway"), it is believed that you can achieve perfect harmony in your surroundings, and then by extension, your life. It is based on the concept of "chi", or life energy, and its goal is to promote a healthy flow of this energy.

Firstly, corners and alcoves will stop the flow of chi, and should be paid special attention to. Try to light up corners with lamps, or liven up the area by hanging a favourite painting - preferably one that is colorful.

Another trick is to put a potted plant (with round leaves, never straight ) in this space. Try and create spaciously also by strategically placing a mirror to make your living room look larger.

However, mirrors if poorly placed can create negative energy, so make sure that so that it reflects something you'd like to see more of, such as the view from a window.

By the same token of space, try not to disorganize your living room up with too much furniture. Also, don't give your TV or sound system a place of importance; your TV's electromagnetic waves may intervene in the flow of chi.

Since feng shui is also about balancing masculine and feminine elements (yin and yang), try and incorporate soft cushions or flowers into a room to make it a little more feminine. Don't use dried flowers though; these are ominous according to Chinese belief.

The plan of your room should encourage relaxation, so make sure that the furniture doesn’t face the wall and you should organize the sofa on which the guests can ideally sit facing the door.

You may find that certain things are clicking into place, for instance the reason you're not getting that coveted raise at work could be because you've very rashly placed a cactus in your home's wealth corner. Try placing a fish bowl or an aquarium into a corner you'd like to see more progress in; round-leaved plants, crystals or windchimes work just as well.

Finally, you can do some very basic things, such as keep your entryway clear of clutter. This is where chi will enter your home, so you need to do what you can to keep it light and open. Don't put a mirror right opposite your door, as this will deflect all this energy out.