Practical Feng Shui Tips

Feng Shui is the traditional Chinese method of arranging objects such as furniture to help people achieve their goals and to be successful. The word Feng means wind and Shui translates to water. As Feng Shui is applicable to other rooms of the house, so it is applicable to the dining room and dining room furniture as well. Using Feng Shui principles in the dining room is thought to stimulate conversation as well as the appetite. What is central to the Feng Shui principles is the flow of Chi, which is generally translated as ‘air’ or ‘energy’. The dining room furniture should be of the kind and should be arranged in a manner so as to facilitate optimum flow of Chi in the room. The arrangement of the furniture should be such that the Chi is not stagnant or restricted. Chi must be allowed to flow gently in the room.

The Dining Room Table: Usually the tenets of Feng Shui require that there should be some open space left in the center of a room; however there is an exception to this rule where it comes to dining furniture. Here the dining room table itself should be at the center of the room, and should preferably be equidistant from each side of the room. There should be enough room around the table for persons to sit and get up comfortably; i.e. the area should not be cramped. It is also thought that the shape of the dining table should be round or oval, or even octagonal without sharp edges so that the flow of Chi is not impeded. Practically speaking as well, a circular dining table tends to stimulate conversation because there is less distance between the people sitting down to a meal.  In the event that your dining table is square or rectangular, it may be beneficial to place a round or octagonal center piece in the center. This is also thought to facilitate flow of Chi.

Dining Room Chairs: According to the tenets of Feng Shui, you should have an even (not odd) number of chairs placed around the dining room table, to create a balance. Also there should be enough room behind the dining chairs to facilitate easy movement and comfortable seating of people.  Care should be taken to see that the chairs are not blocking any points of ingress and egress. Pick relaxed dining room chairs with a comfortable back support, so that the experience of dining is enhanced.

Lighting: Poor lighting, cramped or cluttered spaces and heavy bulky or dark dining room furniture is best avoided from the Feng Shui point of view. The area should be well lit, perhaps with a bright central light such as a chandelier above the center of the dining table.  Candles may also be used, but they should be used to enhance light rather than be the main source of light in the room. While there may commonly be two doors to a dining room, since this would facilitate better natural light in the room as well as cross ventilation, it is thought to be better if these doors do not face one another.