4 Tips to Feng Shui Your Dining Room
The dining room is such an essential part of the home. It’s where friends and family gather, meals are shared, and laughter is had. We center our lives around the function and social tradition of eating, so it only makes sense for the room in which we do so to be as comfortable as possible.
By applying the guidelines of feng shui to the dining room, you can make it a more positive and joyful space. In order to feng shui your dining room, you’ll want to analyze everything – from the position of the dining table to the color of the walls. Here’s what you need to know.
Determine dining space accordingly
Your home may already have a designated dining area, but if it’s an open floor plan, you’ll need to designate it yourself. Don’t simply plop your dining table down in the corner closest to the kitchen. In feng shui, orientation, direction, and positioning is extremely important.
According to the principles of feng shui, the dining area should not be placed directly below a bathroom in two-story structures. To instill a connotation of cleanliness and hygiene, it should be moved to a different area.
The room also should not directly face a road. Commotion outside causes subconscious stress and distraction during meal time. Aim to place a dining area in front of a window facing your backyard, or at least a quiet, calm street.
Carefully choose & position your dining table
Sharp corners and edges are the enemy when it comes to feng shui. While most feng shui specialists realize they cannot be entirely avoided, they do recommend doing so when possible. If a round dining table is feasible for you, this is the best option. Otherwise, a square or rectangular dining table with slightly more rounded corners will do.
Also, avoid pedestal tables. If you can, choose a table base with legs that work together to support the surface, and connotes unity and balance.
Although Western interior design tends to place the dining table directly below a chandelier, beam, or other defining overhead fixture, feng shui discourages this. Overhead structures can subconsciously make you feel on-edge, and direct overhead lighting does not usually create suitable ambiance.
The dining table also should not face an entrance, kitchen, or bathroom door directly. Place it at an angle so as to encourage the flow of chi. If it can be placed near a large patio door where there is abundant natural light, and in a relatively open space, this is ideal.
Less is more when it comes to décor
It’s no surprise that feng shui dictates we live in minimal clutter. However, while you can get away with a little bit in your office space, you certainly cannot in your dining room. Clutter creates distraction and internal imbalance, contributing a sense of unease and incompletion. You do not want this when you’re attempting to nourish and recharge yourself.
This goes for decoration too. Too much décor can be overwhelming. To boost the aesthetic appeal of your dining room while still keeping it minimal, go for a centerpiece and one wall hanging. A centerpiece creates a stable, centralizing focal point.
For your wall hanging, choose something neutral and easy on the eyes. The best choice would be a mirror. Large mirrors create a sense of space and openness. When placed near a window or glass door, they also reflect the outside into the room, with the greenery bringing a touch of peace.
Avoid loud colors
Reds, blues, and other expressive hues are good for some rooms – but not for the dining room. These high-energy, passionate shades can create agitation in a room made for relaxing and unwinding. Earth tones, such as yellows, soften the appearance of the room and promote ease. In turn, ease aids in proper digestion and less stomach upset.
Daffodil, pale lemon, or powder yellow are great shades to incorporate here. Other earth tones that work beautifully for the dining room include buff, sand, and beige shades. These are unobtrusive colors that allow the meal to be the main attraction.
As with any room, green accents are always encouraged, but preferably greens that better reflect nature. Avoid neons and opt for emerald, sage, or olive greens. These are representative of plant life, and therefore always bring a positive energy to the room.
It may sound like a lot of work, but if you take a moment to feng shui even just one room, let your dining room be the one. It will simultaneously benefit everyone in the household, and make mealtimes more enjoyable. Who knows, it may even be the solution to those tense family dinners. If not for its mental and emotional benefits, it always makes a remarkable conversation starter.
