“When guests arrive, it is customary to offer them tea or a drink,” and this tradition of hospitality is an integral part of Vietnamese culture. As a result, the coffee table is a focal point of the living room and is considered essential furniture for any household.
Coffee tables are believed to attract wealth and luck for the homeowners. However, if not arranged properly, they can also bring bad luck. Read on to discover the three items you should never place on your coffee table, as well as tips for designing a coffee table that aligns with Feng Shui principles.
1 3 Items to Avoid Placing on Your Coffee Table
Desserts or Sweet Treats
Although it is common to place treats on the coffee table when hosting guests, this is not ideal from a Feng Shui perspective. Desserts and sweets left unattended can attract insects and create a mess, detracting from the elegance and cleanliness of the space. This can negatively impact the positive energy, or vuông khí and sinh khí, of the home.
Additionally, in Vietnam’s hot and humid climate, food left out can spoil more quickly. Stale or contaminated sweets may pose health risks.
Potted Plants
While both potted plants and coffee tables can bring positive energy to a space, combining them may bring bad luck. Heavy potted plants can deform or damage the table. Moreover, plants tend to shed leaves and soil, creating an untidy and unhygienic environment, which is unsuitable for a guest-welcoming area.
Avoid placing potted plants on your coffee table
For optimal Feng Shui, refrain from placing potted plants directly on the coffee table.
Kettle or Hot Pot
While it is common to find a kettle or hot pot on the coffee table in some Vietnamese households, this can pose health risks, especially for young children. From a Feng Shui perspective, the kitchen and living room serve different purposes, and a kettle on the coffee table may disrupt the aesthetic and energy flow.
Avoid placing a kettle or hot pot on your coffee table
2 Feng Shui Tips for Coffee Table Design
As a significant piece of furniture in the living room, the coffee table plays a crucial role in the overall Feng Shui. Choosing a coffee table that aligns with Feng Shui principles can bring good luck and prosperity.
Select a Coffee Table That Suits Your Feng Shui Element
- Metal (Kim): Individuals with a Metal Feng Shui element should opt for coffee tables with sharp angles, such as square or rectangular shapes. Metal-framed tables with golden hues are particularly auspicious.
- Wood (Mộc): Those with a Wood element will find fortune and ease by choosing round or leaf-shaped tables in shades of green, gray, or brown.
- Water (Thủy): For Water elements, a square table in white or light gray hues is ideal.
- Fire (Hỏa): Fire elements should invest in a wooden square table with red, brown, or green hues to attract wealth and luck.
- Earth (Thổ): Earth elements can choose between round or rectangular shapes. Lucky colors include red, reddish-brown, brick red, and pink.
Choose a coffee table that suits your Feng Shui element
Consider the Size and Proportions of Your Coffee Table
While furniture design is important, the true test of aesthetics is in the arrangement and harmony of the pieces within a space.
Choose a coffee table that is lower in height than your sofa
The coffee table should be lower than the sofa, creating balance and harmony. Opt for a smaller coffee table to ensure it doesn’t overwhelm the space or disrupt the energy flow.
Position Your Coffee Table to Invite Wealth and Luck
Place Your Coffee Table Next to the Sofa
The coffee table and sofa are a dynamic duo. Arrange them in a “Green Dragon – White Tiger” formation to create a harmonious and balanced space.
Maintain Space Between the Coffee Table and Sofa
The coffee table and sofa represent the yin and yang energies, blending yet distinct. Ensure ample space between them for a harmonious layout and positive Feng Shui while maintaining functionality.
Maintain sufficient space between the coffee table and sofa
Avoid Placing the Coffee Table Directly Opposite the Entrance
Positioning the coffee table directly in front of the entrance is considered a “thứ sát” arrangement, where wealth and positive energy escape. If unavoidable, move the table slightly or use a screen to block the direct line of sight.
Place Your Coffee Table on a Stable and Secure Surface
Just as a house needs a strong foundation, stability and security are essential for a coffee table. Avoid placing the table in an unstable position to ensure prosperity and harmony.
Place your coffee table on a stable and secure surface
Avoid Placing the Coffee Table Directly Under a Beam
Beams bear the building’s weight, and the energy beneath them can feel oppressive. Avoid placing the coffee table directly underneath to maintain positive energy flow.
Avoid Placing the Coffee Table Directly in Front of a Balcony
If your living room has a balcony, avoid positioning the coffee table directly in front of it. This can obstruct the natural energy flow and deplete positive energy over time.
Avoid placing the coffee table directly in front of a balcony
In conclusion, by avoiding the three items mentioned above and following the provided Feng Shui tips, you can create a stylish and positive coffee table setup. We hope you found this information helpful.