Introduction
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese concept for creating good synergy with our living space. The principle is based on balancing the energy of a given area to create peace, harmony, and a positive atmosphere within. This practice has been used for centuries as a way to bring prosperity, health, and good luck into our lives.
The specific application of this concept to chair placement and seating direction is derived from the observation that how we interact with our environment directly affects our energy. When we face a door or entrance of any kind when seated in a chair, it can disrupt the natural flow of Chi (energy) around the room. As such, it’s important to consider this carefully when designing an interior space with Feng Shui principles in mind.
A proper Feng Shui chair facing door configuration sees the occupant placed at an angle or not facing the entrance head-on. This minor change may help ensure that the energy of your living space is balanced throughout its corners and hallways so that you can experience a sense of balance and tranquility within your home.
History of Feng Shui & Chair Sitting
The Chinese practice of Feng Shui has been around for centuries and is based on the belief that one’s environment should be arranged in order to promote harmony between nature, humans and their spaces. As part of this practice, facing a doorway when sitting in a chair has historically been believed to bring luck and good fortune. This belief likely derives from the concept of maintaining open communication or spiritual connectedness with others by sitting in such a manner.
Subsequently, the practice became closely tied to concepts of power and authority. Namely, it was believed that those who faced doorways when seated would gain an advantage over their opponents by being aware of all activity entering and leaving the space they were in.
Facing doortways while seated is thus linked with both creating positive spiritual energy as well as wielding tangible political power, making it an integral feng shui practise that is still used today.
Benefits & Drawbacks of Facing the Door
Benefits of Facing the Door:
1. Increased Awareness and Readiness to Respond ” Being able to see what is happening around you allows for a better sense of anticipation and readiness to respond as needed. It also enables us to react quickly in case of emergency.
2. Sign of Respect ” According to Feng Shui principles, facing the door acknowledges both the incoming guest, as well as the person sitting in the chair. It reflects a feeling of respect and hospitality.
3. Opening Possibilities ” By facing towards the door, we open ourselves up to receiving opportunities that may come our way, thus creating more options for success and growth.
Drawbacks of Not Facing The Door:
1. Limited Accessibility & Awareness – Sitting with our back toward the door limits our ability to be aware of changes in our environment or other important information that may have an impact on us or our situation.
2. Loss of Support ” Symbolically facing away from the door can mean that we are cutting ourselves off from possible opportunities for support in times when we need it most, and can create feelings of isolation or aloneness instead.
3. Lack of Connection -Not facing toward others who are entering the room could give off a sense we are not welcoming and inviting or interested in connecting with them which could lead to misunderstandings or awkwardness between those involved
Design Considerations
1. Size: Consider the size of the chair and the room to ensure it fits comfortably in the space without overcrowding it with furniture.
2. Placement: When positioning the chair, make sure it is neither too close to nor too far from the door for energy flow and convenience’s sake.
3. Color: Choose colors that create a feeling of comfort and balance. During this time, opt for colors in soft hues rather than overpowering brights or darks as they can be unsettling or distracting.
4. Form: Decide on its construction carefully ” whether modern, traditional or a custom-made piece, your choice should reflect your individual tastes and work perfectly within the larger scheme of decor accents in the room.
5. Textile: The material should be of quality and align with the other details in the space ” natural fabrics in earth tones can create a calm atmosphere while velvet adds boldness to an area if desired.
6. Comfort: Keep in mind that whatever style you go for, it should always provide ample seating comfort as both practicality and feng shui depend on this element significantly
Creative Strategies to Achieve Facing the Door
1. Place the chair in near proximity to the entrance of the room. It can be oriented at a slight angle away from the door if desired, as long as it still faces inwards towards the space.
2. Utilize existing furniture or build a room partition to create a ‘virtual’ entrance for the chair to face. This could be used to block off an area off from view for greater privacy and focus.
3. Place two chairs together such that one is facing inwards and the other facing the door. The inward-facing chair will serve as a subtle indication of where someone should sit when entering a room.
4. Use an armchair set at an angle so that its back faces the door while its arms are open towards an inner part of a room”providing visual openness without compromising Feng Shui principles.
5. Opt for a comfortable chaise lounge or day bed with its headboard facing toward, but not necessarily directly aligned with, the entrance of the space.
Summarizing Feng Shui
The concept of Feng Shui emphasizes the importance of balancing the energy in a living or work space. A Feng Shui chair facing the door is said to represent good personal energy, while also providing protection and peace of mind by allowing one to see who or what is entering. It is believed that a chair facing inward towards other pieces of furniture can create tension, partially blocking off the flow of energy which can lead to negative vibes throughout the space. Additionally, it has also been suggested that sitting in a chair that faces away from the entrance can give one tunnel vision, leading to feelings of loneliness and disconnection. Therefore, placing an armchair near the entryway with its back to the door may help balance the flow of energy and offer a warm welcome for guests.
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