The dining room is a perfect venue for merging social conversation and relationship bonds. There’s something about the combination of food, time to dine, and a warm, inviting setting that magically bonds people. A feng shui dining room is the epitome of this formula, with guidelines on selecting an optimal dining table, dining room colors, and dining room layout. In this article, we’ll discuss ways to use feng shui to decorate the dining room to be appealing, appetizing, and accommodating, whether for one individual or an entire group of family and friends.

Use a solid table, preferably round and wood.

You can find out more about selecting the ideal feng shui dining table in this article, but as a general rule, the dining table should be round and made of wood. This signifies equality (there is no “head” of a round table) and stability.

Select chairs strategically.

Dining chairs in the feng shui dining room should be comfortable. This means they will likely have arm rests and supportive backs. That being said, feng shui dining chairs won’t be overly comfortable, like rocking chairs, because they are unstable in a dining setting.

Have adequate lighting above the dining table.

While it will be lovely to have the ability to dim or brighten the lights while eating (dining rooms are great places to set the mood), you want to be sure that there is always adequate lighting to be able to dine comfortably. And dining comfortably involves being able to see what it is that you’re eating. Sufficient lighting above the dining table in a feng shui dining room is a must.

Hang a mirror on the wall to reflect positive images.

Feng shui décor approaches the use of mirrors with strategy and caution. In the feng shui dining room, then, it is recommended that wall mirrors be used to reflect positive things – pleasant images in artwork, for example, or potted plants. Mirrors also can be used to visually expand the tablescape of a lovely dining room, or the room itself, which amplifies the festive nature of a well-set dining table.

Select appetizing pieces of art.

While you may not necessarily want your dining room walls to be covered in oversized paintings of pie (or do you?), you will want to decorate your feng shui dining area with appetizing artwork. Those that make one’s mouth water (look beyond art with obvious food item content) are going to stimulate the appetite, which is a successful side effect of feng shui décor in the dining room.

As you consider the status of appetizing that is your preferred artwork for the feng shui dining room, here’s a good rule of thumb: avoid anything negative. People crying, images of war or contention, and even storms at sea, though beautiful in their own right, are not positive or appetizing pieces of art.

Refrain from hanging a clock.

Tick-tock, tick-tock. We have enough of time measurement in our lives without the constant (though nostalgically sweet, perhaps) reminder of its passing with a ticking clock. Avoid hanging a clock in the feng shui dining room, as it has the tendency to make people feel rushed while dining.

Install dimmable wall sconces.

Along with adequate table lighting, soft (dimmable) wall sconces in the feng shui dining room are responsible for a couple of benefits: First, the soft light is directed upward, visually helping to add height (and therefore spaciousness) to the dining room itself. Second, the lights can aid in creating ambiance and an inviting feng shui atmosphere. Candles can have a similar effect but require more day-to-day effort.

Never use chipped or cracked dishware.

Probably the easiest and most straightforward feng shui tip for dining rooms is the rule that chipped or cracked glasses, utensils, or other dishware are never used. Really, once a dish is cracked or chipped, feng shui recommends that it is thrown out. In feng shui, broken dishes represent an invitation for troubles into the home.

Do use shiny, vibrant glasses.

It seems like a little thing, but in feng shui, the little things become big things. The use of shiny, sparkly glasses or stemware (particularly with transparent liquids inside them) help to create an attractive tablescape. Sparkling glassware also simulates crystals, which in feng shui serve to stimulate the flow of positive energy and attract wealth. Yes, please!

Refrain from installing electronics in the dining room.

Because the bulk of the feng shui dining room experience is aimed at relationships, having a television or other electronic devices in the dining room would make zero sense. Without such distractions, the family is able to increase their quality conversational time.