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Ever feel like your living room layout could use something extra, but you are not sure what? Sometimes, the best solution is not buying new furniture but simply rearranging what you already have.
With the art of Feng Shui, you can design a space that feels open, balanced, and peaceful. At La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau, and Kingston, our interior designer, Mary Lee Smyth, often draws inspiration from Feng Shui when helping clients plan their living room layouts.
“I may not be an expert, but I use Feng Shui as a rule of thumb when I am stuck on a layout. It helps bring comfort and flow to every space,” says Mary Lee.
This guide will walk you through practical Feng Shui living room layout tips to help you transform your space into a more balanced and harmonious environment.
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Before you start rearranging furniture, it helps to understand what Feng Shui really is.
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese practice that focuses on the arrangement of furniture and architecture to promote balance, harmony, and positive energy flow. The term translates to Wind and Water and refers to how natural elements move energy, or Qi, through a space.
In modern home design, Feng Shui principles are used to enhance comfort and flow. When applied to a living room, it can make the space feel more welcoming, visually open, and emotionally grounding.
The command position is one of the most important Feng Shui principles for arranging a living room. It refers to placing your main seating, usually your sofa, where you can see the entrance without being directly in line with it.
If your sofa faces away from the main entryway or sits in the center of the room, you may feel uneasy without realizing why. Mary Lee recommends placing your sofa against a wall to provide support and to give you a clear view of who is coming and going.
“A sofa in the command position helps you feel comfortable and secure. It is especially helpful in smaller or open-concept spaces,” says Mary Lee.
This simple adjustment creates a sense of control and groundedness, helping the energy in your room flow more smoothly.
Balance is the core of Feng Shui, and achieving it requires a mix of natural elements, comfort, and intentional design. According to Mary Lee, the key to balance is creating a natural flow where nothing feels too crowded or too empty.
To achieve this balance, aim to include the following elements in your living room:
Natural materials like wood bring warmth, while upholstered pieces add softness. La-Z-Boy’s curved recliners and sectionals work beautifully in Feng Shui layouts, softening harsh edges and improving energy flow.
To learn more about How to Mix and Match Furniture, take a look at this article.
Mirrors are powerful tools in Feng Shui. They reflect light, expand visual space, and help circulate positive energy throughout the room.
Position your mirror opposite a window to reflect natural light and make your living room appear brighter and more open. Mirrors can also be placed near an entryway to welcome positive energy into your home.
Mary Lee explains, “Mirrors not only make a room feel larger, but they also reflect good energy into your living space. I love placing mirrors near doorways or behind lamps to amplify light.”
When adding mirrors, choose shapes that complement your furniture and avoid placing them where they reflect clutter or sharp corners.
Feng Shui encourages decorating with intention. Every item in your living room should serve a purpose and bring joy.
Avoid cluttered surfaces and focus on grouping accessories in balanced ways. For example, you might place three candles of varying heights on a coffee table, or a pair of vases on opposite ends of a console.
Mary Lee recommends selecting décor that reflects your personality but remains cohesive with your colour palette. “Accessories should add meaning and comfort, not chaos,” she says.
This simple approach helps maintain calm energy while allowing your space to reflect who you are.
The Bagua Map is a Feng Shui tool used to evaluate energy flow in a room. It connects certain areas of a home to life goals like health, family, or prosperity and assigns them corresponding colours.
Here are some common Feng Shui colour associations for living rooms:
|
Direction / Energy Focus |
Recommended Colours |
Meaning / Purpose |
|
South (fame, energy) |
Red, orange |
Encourages confidence and vitality |
|
East (family, growth) |
Green, brown |
Represents renewal and stability |
|
North (career, flow) |
Blue, black |
Promotes clarity and calmness |
|
Southeast (abundance) |
Purple, gold |
Symbolizes wealth and positivity |
When applying these colours, moderation is key. Choose soft or muted shades to maintain visual balance. For instance, accent pillows, artwork, or throw blankets in Feng Shui-inspired hues can bring harmony without overpowering your space.
Now that you have a better understanding of how to arrange your living room with the help of Feng Shui, you’re ready to arrange your furniture to your heart’s content! With that being said, if you’re looking for new furniture, why not shop at La-Z-Boy Ottawa, Gatineau or Kingston?
Although there may not be any specific examples of furniture pieces to choose from when it comes to Feng Shui, Mary Lee says a lot of our frames encourage Feng Shui and are not sharp-edged at all.
That being said, visit us at a local Ottawa, Gatineau and Kingston La-Z-Boy location to view our selection in person and take a sit test. You can also schedule an appointment online.
Our sales consultants are always eager to lend a helping hand. Additionally, consider taking advantage of our interior design services and working with an interior designer to see how our furniture could fit in your Feng Shui design.
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