If you're planning your dining room, and before you work yourself- and your poor architect or interior designer- into frenzy, it's important to remember that while it is an important place in that family gathers there for meals and togetherness, the dining room is actually not very important in the Chinese metaphysical classics. In fact, it is ranked below the main door, the kitchen, master bedroom, and living room in the hierarchy of important places in the house, and that's because residents don't tend to spend much time in the dining room, certainly not enough to benefit or be harmed by Qi (natural energy) in that area in any way.
Bearing that in mind, you should also remember that if you've been told that colour and décor can affect the Qi of the room that it's simply hogwash, and not true! These things are irrelevant in classical Feng Shui. You may choose to have the Chinese character 'wealth' inscribed on an artifact because it looks nice, but if you think it possesses the magical powers to bring you wealth, then you are sadly wrong (can you imagine how many millionaires there would be if that were true?) Similarly, other props like mirrors should be considered as nothing more than decorative items to enhance the aesthetic value of the room. In classical Feng Shui it's the placement, and alignment of key features like pathways, walkways, halls, rooms and working areas that matter, not mirrors, nor the colour of your walls, and certainly not Chinese characters.
So now that you know what won't affect you dining room Qi, it's time to find out what will. The living room should be located in a spacious and unobstructed area of the house. As long as good Qi is gathered there, you will not need the 'assistance' of 'props' to bring you good luck. In this respect, the fu wei or yan nian sectors are generally considered to be suitable areas for a dining room to be sited if you follow the Ba Zhai or Eight mansions school of thought. Because fu wei Qi and yan nian Qi are considered to be calming, it's beneficial for family gatherings and mealtimes.
At the end of the day, true Feng Shui isn't a superstitious cultural practice. Nor it is about interior decorating. If you feel good about the way you have designed your living or dining room, then the furniture, paintings or mirrors you put in it won't be more than items to enhance the aesthetic - and not the Feng Shui - value of the room. Remember, comfort is key; and that, ultimately, is really what everyone looks for in their living space.
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