Furniture positioning and the influence of Feng Shui

I do not pretend to be an expert in Feng Shui but I do try whenever possible to bear in mind the principles whenever I am designing an interior.

To many, home is, whenever possible a refuge from the madness of the outside world. A few simple adjustments can make life so much more comfortable. Some adjustments cost nothing, others are more expensive. It is also worth bearing in mind furniture positioning when coming to sell a house, buyers subliminally are put off by for instance, the way the door opens into a room or the amount/position of the furniture within that room.

Firstly, the less furniture/clutter within a room, makes the area look much larger. Below is a snapshot of things to bear in mind when designing an interior.

Hallway/stairs

Any clutter needs to be cleared out of the hallway and, if necessary, install a good coat stand or cupboard for all the family’s coat, jackets and umbrellas. A lot of hallways are very narrow so place a mirror on a side wall to expand the space. Never place a mirror opposite the front door, or opposite the stairs. Placing a mirror opposite the stairs can be extremely dangerous. Think about having a side table under the mirror with a letter rack or tray for your post and a key holder to store keys. Make sure you have good lighting to illuminate the stairs . Think about putting pictures on the walls, nothing too personal, just to bring a little personality.

Living room

A well designed living room will provide your guests with distinct feelings of security about you and them spending time inside your house. The first aspect to consider is whether or not the door into the room needs rehanging. When entering the room does the way the door opens create a vista into the room or does it bang into some furniture and does it have a focal point? Also, in past times, the tendency was to place all the furniture against the walls, this can create a ‘waiting room’ feel. If you have the space, a modular settee placed in the middle of the room with space to move around the sides. This will give the illusion of space. But do not place any seating where the person has their back directly onto the door, this can make them feel uncomfortable. Also, try not to place in the room items which barely get used, for example the odd chair or spare coffee table or nick nacks, these only add to make the room look smaller.

Bedroom

A bedroom needs some planning in order to amplify certain aspects of your life including love, romance, relaxation, and rejuvenation both mental and physical. A bedroom is a personal retreat -- an escape from the real world and its problems. I know it goes without saying, but some do tend to forget that placing bookshelves and pictures directly above the head of the bed is both uncomfortable and dangerous! Much better to place the bed in front of any bookshelving.
Do not place the bed on the wall beside the door where you cannot see how is entering the room until they are almost inside, or in the middle facing the door, this is too exposed.
Have bedside tables and lamps, directional as you don’t want to disturb the person next to you.

Kitchen

Functionality of the kitchen is of the utmost importance, the basic kitchen layout should be based on a triangle. Tables, chairs, stools, and cabinets should be placed in such a way that allows for an easy flow of movement while working your way around the kitchen. Clutter and poorly placed furnishings can reduce the functionality of a kitchen.

It is very important for the cook to be in a “commanding position" when at the stove. The cook should be able to clearly see the doorway without turning away from the stove. Feng Shui-inspired kitchen design combines with the contemporary trend toward cooking together. Instead of isolating the cook, families and guests often gather in the kitchen and participate in the meal preparation. Also, busy working couples use dinner preparation as an important time to unwind together.

Bathroom

In the past very little attention has been given to the design of a bathroom. Things are changing as bathrooms become places of relaxation and sanctuary. My main annoyance is toilets placed opposite the door, placing the toilet next to the bath and… carpet!

I hope my suggestions make for easier and happy living within your home. As with all considerations don’t try to come up with the perfect solution as there is no such concept in Feng Shui. Just take as many aspects into account as possible and try to decide which are the most important then see what you can do to accommodate them harmoniously.

Written by Anne Stuart