How to Choose Furniture Using Feng Shui

feng shui has been regarded as the art of placement, or what some may call a highly glorified form of interior decorating. While it's true that some aspects of interior decorating and feng shui do mesh, there is more to picking the right furniture than just making your room look pretty. feng shui dictates that certain shapes, colors and materials give off a certain energy, and that energy can either give or take away from what you are trying to achieve in life.

Before looking at the furniture it is important to understand the implications and usage of area rugs in any given room. Area rugs give any room a sense of togetherness and warmth, but the shape of the rug can reveal deeper intentions. Round or oval rugs are for unity and harmony among those that live in the house and anyone that comes to visit. A round rug can encourage siblings who share a bedroom to get along if a part of each bed is touching the rug in some way. Rectangular rugs are for those who wish to expand either intellectually, socially or even within the family. Square rugs suggest a certain stability or permanence.

It should go without saying that sharp-edged furniture does not create a very comforting or friendly environment. This is especially true in the living room where the family comes together, and in bedrooms where the family retires every evening for rest. This doesn't mean sharp edges are out - just keep in mind where those edges are pointing and what it implies. For instance, you don't want a bunch of pointy edges aimed at the couch on which you and the kids like to veg out and watch TV. All rooms meant for comfort, relaxation and warm social gatherings should have furniture with soft curves or wavy lines somewhere in their pattern. It is also important to replace or repair any damaged furniture as quickly as possible.

The living room is a good place for a bookcase. Placed in the Family gua it can encourage communication amongst the family members; however if positioned in the Helpful People/Travel area it can attract a social network of intelligent friends. If it is located in the Knowledge and Wisdom gua remember to fill it with books about things that you wish to learn about to help your mind soak in the information. If it's stimulating conversation with friends and family you seek you should place a glass-topped coffee table or end tables in this room. The living room is also a great place for an aquarium. If it is placed in the Prosperity and Abundance gua with 8 gold fish and 1 black fish it (and you take great care in keeping it clean and well maintained) it can mean a boost in your wallet.

The dining room is usually limited to one main piece of furniture - but that piece can have amazing repercussions. If you are looking to add to your family you should have a rectangular table. A perfectly round table encourages harmony amongst all that dine there. An oval table is a combination of rectangle and circle, thus it means a more gradual, harmonious growth to your family. A square table is for those who want to stabilize their lives - that could mean anything from your finances to your health. A square table is usually a symbol of permanence and security. The material your table is made out of has meaning as well. A glass-topped table promotes a healthy and stimulating conversation. A wooden table encourages growth. So if you are desperate to have a child - get a rectangular wooden table with a rectangular area rug!

The master bedroom has two reasons for being. It's a place to lay your weary head at the end of the day, but it also doubles as the heart of your loving relationship and romance. In this case it needs to be harmonious, stimulating and relaxing all at once. That's a tall order! For the purpose of sleep make sure there are no sharp edges. That means that headboards, dressers and nightstands should have rounded edges on them if possible. To support harmony and partnership make sure there are matching nightstands on either side of the bed. For those seeking a relationship, beginning a relationship or those ready to start a family the headboard should be wooden, as the wood element encourages growth and attraction. Couples well into their relationship should opt for some sort of metal headboard like brass to strengthen the bonds of commitment.

Children's bedrooms should focus on encouraging rest and relaxation. If your child has a desk in his room for studying it should be made of metal and placed in the Knowledge and Wisdom gua to help them focus and learn. A desk made of metal accentuates concentration. If the desk is metal than the headboard should be wooden to encourage healthy growth in all areas of their life. A round mirror should be placed in the Family gua to encourage teenagers to be more cooperative members of the family and communicate with parents easier.

Home offices seem to be all the rage these days so it's wise to make sure your furniture choices don't sabotage your career. If you want your business to expand you should choose a rectangular wooden desk. A metal desk encourages stability for your company. Leather desk chairs can help your relationships with clients, customers, co-workers, employees and management.

With a few proper furniture choices and the right placement you can find yourself prepared to face any obstacle - if they can even find you through all that great energy!