When you use Feng Shui to plan your home or office, it's important to know where the Dragon seat is, also known as the power position. This is the area where you should place your own chair, and the Feng Shui elements that are most important in your life right now.

The power position in any room is usually the seat that is furthest from the door, but faces it. It should not be in direct line with the opening of the door; it should be slightly diagonal from the door.

In some schools of Feng Shui, the power position can be commanded by art, a window, a display, or anything else that catches your eye as you enter through the door. You can achieve this with design elements such as gold highlights, or with small spotlights or other decorative effects.

If you are planning your office, place your desk chair in the power position and arrange the rest of your furnishings around that. Ideally, your desk chair should also be in the Money corner (left corner) or the Fame area (center back of the room). You can still be effective if your desk chair is at the far right--in the Romance (Relationships) corner--where you are most likely to develop networking opportunities.

At home, design your dining room so that you sit in the power area. If it is impossible to place the table so that your chair is in the Money corner or Fame area, be sure to put some eye-catching decor in one of those areas to strengthen your position.

Also, although the dining table is likely to be in the Health area (center of the room), plan the seat covers in the colors of the power seat.

That is, if the power seat is in the Fame area, your dining room chairs should be upholstered in red, orange, or yellow fabric. If the power seat is in the Money corner, choose upholstery in Mardi Gras colors of green, purple, or gold. If possible, add gold accents to the chairs or upholstery to better support the Health aspects.

When planning your living room, place your favorite chair (or your end of the sofa) in the power position. The upholstery color should match the location of the power seat rather than the overall placement of the sofa.

When planning your kitchen, consider where you spend most of your time. This is often at the stove, a food preparation area, or at the sink. Ideally, you should spend the most time in the power area, facing the doorway. If that is not possible, either add design elements that immediately draw the eye to you, or weight important areas with extra Feng Shui elements.

If you do not see the doorway easily from that position, place a mirror or other reflective surface so that you can always see someone entering the room.

This can be tricky when designing the bedroom. Try to plan your "power seat"--in this case, the bed--so that it's in far right corner of the room as you enter through the door. That's the Romance corner.

When you are in bed, you should also be able to see the doorway easily. However, if you can't, do not place a mirror for this purpose. In Feng Shui, if you can see yourself in a mirror from the bed, this can lead to poor sleep habits and insomnia. Instead, move the bed.

Above all, never place the bed so that your feet are in direct line with the door. This is very bad luck. Try to place the bed at least a few feet away from a straight line to the door; that is, it can be diagonally across from the door.

Whether you are selecting a seat at a banquet, on a bus, or in the boardroom, always try to secure the power position. This is where you will shine and where you'll find the greatest success.

By using Feng Shui's "power position" at home and work, you can improve your luck and success in everything that you do.

Aisling D'Art is an artist and a Feng Shui consultant. ("Feng Shui" is pronounced like "fung shway." It is the Chinese art of design and placement.) She is the Feng Shui columnist for BellaOnline.com, and offers free Feng Shui advice at "Shui To Go!" - www.ShuiToGo.com