12 Feng Shui Tips for The Dining Room You Can't Ignore
Your dining room is a place where you gather with family and friends to share meals and create memories. Some might argue that the dining space is just as important as a bedroom since it’s where meals and conversations happen.
That said, the dining room is a space where the principles of Feng Shui can be applied to create a welcoming environment. By doing something as simple as choosing the right dining table or changing the dining room layout, you can enhance the energy flow in the space.
Let’s take a look at some Feng Shui tips you can incorporate into your dining room today.
Benefits of Feng Shui in your dining room
Feng Shui, with its literal translation to 'wind-water', has made huge inroads to the Western society. This ancient art has transcended cultural boundaries and continues to be embraced by individuals worldwide, far surpassing its Asian origins.
Despite initial skepticism regarding Feng Shui, many people have seen benefits from following simple Feng Shui principles.
Let’s take a look at some reasons why Feng Shui in the dining room is so important:
Promotes good energy flow
Feng Shui is all about creating balance and good energy (or chi) in your environment. By simply rearranging the furniture and layout of your dining room, you can create a space that promotes good energy flow, which can have a positive impact on your overall well-being.
Enhances the dining experience
A dining room that is designed according to Feng Shui principles can create a relaxing and welcoming atmosphere that enhances the dining experience. When the energy in the room is balanced, you and your guests can feel more comfortable and at ease, which can make your meals more enjoyable.
Boosts your mood
Likewise, Feng Shui rules can help to boost the mood of you and your guests. The colours, lighting, and overall ambiance of your dining room can create a space that is calming and relaxing.
Attracts abundance and prosperity
In Feng Shui, the dining room is associated with abundance and prosperity as you’re nourishing the body with food. By creating a dining room that promotes good energy flow and balances the elements, you can attract positive energy and increase your chances of abundance and prosperity.
Ideal Feng Shui dining room layout
The typical Feng Shui dining room layout is to ensure that no one’s back is facing a door or window. You want to ensure your table is round or oval to allow for a gentle curving of chi. Lastly, there should also be an even number of dining chairs to create balance.
Here’s what an ideal Feng Shui dining room layout would look like:
An ideal Feng Shui dining room layout.
Dining room Feng Shui tips
Choose a round dining table
When choosing a table for your dining room, it’s essential to pick one that has a rounded edge. Round or oval dining tables help to soften the energy in the room, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
The Brighton Oval Dining Table with Austen Chairs sits 6 people comfortably and has soft, rounded edges.
@helendriscoll creates a charming dining nook with the Theo Round Dining Table.
Sharp or pointy edges on dining tables are not recommended as they create negative energy or ‘Poison Arrows’ that can disrupt the flow of chi. Sharp corners are believed to create tension and stress, which can make it difficult for people to relax and enjoy their meals.
If you have a rectangular or square table, you can soften the edges by placing a tablecloth or a runner on top.
Opt for a wooden dining table
Wooden dining tables are believed to create positive energy and growth as wood is a natural element. Wooden tables are also psychologically calming and provide a sense of stability.
The Vincent Dining Table features solid oak wood in a neutral colour. Picture credits: @amandaorr
Maintaining a light wood theme in their home, @twopotatoesinasack opts for the Sawyer Dining Table and Sloane Cane Chairs to match the look.
To add on, wooden dining tables are aesthetically pleasing and can gel well with any interior design.
When looking for a wooden dining table, make sure to opt for high-quality solid woods such as teak, walnut, oak, or acacia wood.
Avoid glass table tops
While glass dining tables are trendy and minimalistic, they are believed to be inauspicious as they harbour negative chi when used in the dining area. When compared to materials like wood, glass is more fragile and delicate, which symbolises the need to take constant care of it.
Hence, when eating on a glass table, this creates a feeling of uneasiness and sensitivity.
Use soft lighting
Lighting is another essential element in Feng Shui, and it can be used to set the mood in your dining room.
Use soft lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere, and avoid harsh overhead lighting that can create a sense of tension. Consider using candles or dimmer switches to create a comfortable and relaxing ambiance.
Ensure your dining table is big enough
If you’re one to host large groups, ensure that your dining table is big enough. Cramped seating at a dining table is considered inauspicious in Feng Shui as it shows that there isn’t enough abundance to go around. It’s also not welcoming if your guests have to struggle to find a place to sit and eat.
Ideally, you’d want the table to be able to fit 6 to 8 people. You can opt for an extendable dining table so you can reduce the table size when it’s just you, and extend it when you have guests over.
Recommended read: 5 Reasons to Get An Extendable Dining Table
@keepingitklinger ensures that there will always be plenty of space with the Seb Extendable Dining Table and Seb Bench.
The Dillon Extendable Dining Table extends to fit up to 8 people comfortable at @audreycrispinteriors' dining space. Also pictured: The Casa Bench.
Keep the number of dining chairs even
In Feng Shui, even numbers are associated with balance and harmony, while odd numbers represent disruption.
When it comes to dining chairs, using an even number is believed to create balance and harmony in the dining room. Even numbers also represent symmetry, which is great for keeping things balanced.
When you have an odd number of chairs, it can create an uncomfortable feeling for your guests. For example, if you have seven chairs around a table, it can be difficult for people to interact and engage in conversation, as someone will always be sitting alone.
Position your dining table so no one’s back faces a door
The placement of your dining table is also important in Feng Shui. Ideally, the table should be positioned in the center of the room with ample space around it. This allows for good energy flow and promotes a sense of balance in the room.
You should also avoid positioning your table in a manner where a person’s back faces an entrance. Having a person’s back facing a door can create a sense of vulnerability and insecurity.
Choose lucky colours
Colours play a significant role in Feng Shui, and the colours you choose for your dining room can have a powerful impact on the energy in the room. Avoid dark colours or complicated wallpapers as they can create a heavy and stagnant atmosphere.
Here are some lucky colours you should incorporate into your dining room:
| Colour | Meaning | How to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Brown | Exudes warm, earthy energy, fostering a sense of comfort and stability. | Opt for warm stained wood finishes for dining tables and chairs, or introduce brown pottery and planters for subtler earthy vibes. |
| Green | Brings soothing, rejuvenating energy, reminiscent of a lush forest or springfield. | Paint the walls with fresh springtime hues or add an area rug to invoke the sensation of standing on verdant grass. Houseplants and vases of fresh greens on your dining table or buffet also work wonders. |
| Blue | Induces calm and tranquility, akin to clear blue skies. | Paint the walls with bright, beautiful teal or aqua shades to create a joyful family gathering space. Smaller accents like chair upholstery, seat cushions, or decorative vases can also introduce this growth-related energy. |
| Red | Evokes warmth and vitality, which is ideal for stimulating the appetite. | Incorporate red with small touches like a centrepiece or a striking table runner. |
| Whites and Greys | Emphasises focus and completion. | Mix whites and greys with other stimulating shades like green or red. White is especially fitting for dishes, enhancing the presentation of food's vibrant colours. |
| Yellow | Embodies cheerful, sunny energy, instilling a sense of optimism and warmth. | Paint an accent wall in a soft yellow hue to brighten the space, or incorporate yellow into various elements, such as dining chair upholstery, dinnerware, or table linens, in order to introduce this invigorating energy into your dining experience. |
Create balance in the dining room
Balance is essential in Feng Shui, and it's important to create a sense of balance in your dining room. One way to create balance is to use symmetrical design elements in your dining room design - such as pairing objects and using matching dining sets - to create a sense of harmony and equality.
You can also use complementary colours or patterns to create a cohesive and balanced look, and add plants to bring the earth element into the room.
Keep the dining area clutter-free
This is a common rule that many Feng Shui masters will suggest for any room in the house. Clutter is a major obstacle to good energy flow, and it's essential to keep your dining room clutter-free.
Avoid using the dining table as a dumping ground for mail, homework, or other items. Instead, use a separate space for these items, and make sure that the dining table is always clear and ready for use. You can also incorporate storage solutions like sideboards or shelves to keep the dining room organised.
@maryamzekria ensures a clean and clutter-free dining area by storing the Landon Dinnerware Set in the Luka Cabinet. Also pictured: The Sloane Dining Table and Callie Slipcovered Dining Arm Chair.
@almafied ensures a clean dining space with minimal decor. Pictured: The Kelsey Marble Dining Table with Austen Chairs.
Use mirrors strategically
Unlike the Feng Shui bedroom rule to not have mirrors facing your bed, this is the opposite. For your dining room, you want mirrors to be facing the dining table to reflect the food and ‘double the meal’. As food is a symbol of abundance, this also means you’re doubling your abundance.
Furthermore, if your dining room is small, a mirror can give the illusion of a more spacious area.
Ensure that the dining table doesn’t sit under beams
Beams are considered heavy and oppressive, which can have a ‘cutting’ energy. This is why it’s not recommended to place your dining table under beams as you spend great amounts of time in the dining room having meals.
If you aren’t able to move the dining table anywhere else, here are some ways to soften the visual impact of the beams:
Use a canopy
Use drapes
Paint the beams the same colour as your ceiling
Install a false ceiling
Create a dining room full of abundance
Applying Feng Shui principles to your dining room can help you create a space that is not only beautiful but also promotes health, happiness, and prosperity. By following the tips shared in this article, you can transform your dining room into a space that nourishes the body, mind, and soul.
FAQs
How should I decorate the walls in my dining room?
Opt for artwork or decor that resonates with your intentions for the space. Balanced and aesthetically pleasing decorations are key.
Recommended read: 7 Decor Ideas for Your Dining Room Wall
Is it bad Feng Shui to have a clock in the dining room?
While it's not typically recommended, if you do choose to have a clock, make sure it's neither too prominent nor disruptive to the dining atmosphere.
Which paint colours are best for a harmonious dining room?
Opt for colours that invoke positive energy and balance. Earthy tones, warm hues like red, yellow, or soothing blues and greens are often recommended.
Can I add plants or an aquarium in my dining room?
Yes, adding greenery or an aquarium can enhance the room's Feng Shui. Ensure they are well-maintained, as thriving plants symbolise growth and abundance.
How can I improve the Feng Shui of the dining room entrance?
Ensure that the entrance is well-lit and inviting. Avoid direct alignment of the dining room door with the front door to prevent energy from rushing out.
