Color is one of the easiest ways to shift the energy in your space with Feng Shui.

Each color is an expression of one of the Five Feng Shui Elements: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. The elements are used in specific areas according to the feng shui energy map of your space, or Bagua.

This Feng Shui color guide will help you choose the best colors to create a harmonious Feng Shui home. Choose the Feng Shui colors according to the energy you need and bring them into your space with the wall color, art, photography, or various decor items.

Dining tables are the Energizer bunnies of the furniture world—they just keep going and going. The piece you buy today is likely to remain in your home (or in your family) for many years, and will see you through multiple residences and several decorating schemes. So when buying a dining table, choose carefully.

“Don’t make a purchase over a weekend, because this is something you’ll be living with for years,” says Seattle interior designer Amely Wurmbrand. Wurmbrand suggests visiting many furniture stores before buying a dining table, or perusing a Web site like homeportfolio.com, picking a model you like, then finding out what retailer carries that brand in your community.

Before you shop, consider the following issues:

Size

The dining table should be scaled appropriately for the room: a small dining room looks best with a small table, a big dining room demands a big table. To allow adequate space for seating and circulation, make sure there’s at least 48 inches between each edge of the table and the nearest wall or piece of furniture. If traffic doesn’t pass behind the chairs on one side of the table, 36 inches should be sufficient on that side.

Ideally, the dining table should measure 36-42 inches across. Narrower than that leaves no place in the middle for food; wider than that makes conversation difficult with the person seated opposite you.