Avoid pointing the sofa’s back straight at the front door — it’s said to invite negative energy in and make it harder to catch a break professionally. A wall behind the sofa, with nothing overhead like a beam or air conditioner, is the preferred spot.

A matching sofa set — especially an L-shaped 3+2+1 arrangement that wraps around the room — is thought to hold a family together, symbolically enclosing the space. Scattered, unmatched chairs are said to do the opposite, pulling family harmony apart.

A level, uniform floor is preferred over multi-level living rooms with steps or height changes — uneven flooring is thought to unsettle a family’s fortune and, more practically, their health.

A reasonably sized TV, kept at a moderate volume, is recommended for both comfort and Fengshui — an oversized screen is said to dominate the room’s energy and cause a sense of being overwhelmed, on top of very real eye strain.

Since the living room is where family and friends actually gather, it’s meant to feel lively — and circles are considered yang, active energy. Round light fixtures, ceiling details, or décor are a common way to bring in that warmer, more vibrant feeling.

Too many electrical devices, especially along paths people walk through often, are considered unnatural and disruptive to the body’s energy — on top of the electromagnetic fields they’re believed to give off.

Fengshui values vitality and life force, so decorating with artificial flowers is generally discouraged — lacking real life, they’re thought to feel insincere and can even attract unstable romantic energy, muddying relationships, judgment, career, and finances alike.