Creating a Feng Shui living room that is relaxing, inviting, entertaining--which also promotes the flow of healthy Chi can be a lot of fun! The living room is a special room in your home, so you will want to pay close attention when choosing and placing furniture and other objects for this area of your home.

Here are three important points to keep in mind as you design your living room according to Feng Shui principles:

1. Design a layout that promotes healthy Chi flow. If you are familiar with the ancient art of Chinese placement...(another way of describing Feng Shui) then you understand that a primary consideration is to come up with a living room design that promotes the healthy flow of Chi.

Try to arrange your furniture so that there is adequate room between pieces. This allows for a vibrant Chi and energy flow. If your living room feels "cramped" or cluttered with too much furniture, this will stifle the enjoyment of the room and can lead to irritability among family members.

Another aspect of enhancing Chi flow is paying attention to the nooks and crannies of the room. Are there dark spaces or corners where papers and other clutter have been left to accumulate? Energize dark corners--these are avid dust collectors and do not provide any living energy for the room. Doing just these simple things for dreary corners will do wonders for Chi flow and for the overall mood that the room holds.

2. Design for intimacy and comfort. Remember that the goal of your living room is to help you and your family relax, enjoy each other and unwind from the day's activities. Choose furniture with comfort in mind, as well as beauty. Place in a way that invites conversation and does not make it difficult for family members and guests to engage each other. Many Feng Shui practitioners suggest a circular design, if your living room is conducive to it.

If possible, try to make sure that couches and chairs are positioned in such a way that the occupants have a clear view of the entryway into the room. Doing this will subconsciously put everyone at ease, as people are "on guard" when unable to view the door or entry to a room, whether they realize it or not!

3. Grace your living room with the five elements. Having a tasteful touch of the five elements present is easy to do, plus you can get creative doing it! In Feng Shui, having the five elements present in a space is believed to create harmony and a feeling of peace, as we (and our pets) are all made up of the five elements.

The five elements are water, fire, earth, metal and wood. Placing an attractive round table in your room that displays a representation of the five elements is one way to accomplish this balance. Enjoy creating your new Feng Shui living room--a personal paradise for your family and friends that can't wait for your special touch!