Residential Front Doors and energy, Feng Shui of Entrance Doors

Feng Shui grows out of an ancient Chinese philosophy that teaches about the flow of (chi) energy.  Pronounced fung shway, the two words literally mean “Wind and Water” and are a metaphor for the way energy flows in the world.

Energy flow in your home can positively or negatively affect the life and success of all members of your family. Feng Shui strives to create harmony, balance and a pleasing aesthetic in every room because every room corresponds to an important area of one’s life. However, nothing is more important than a home’s entrance door, because this is how energy comes into the home and, therefore, into your life.

First consider the pathway leading up to your door. Is  it clear and unobstructed? Does your entrance door have clutter or unkempt bushes that obscure it? If so, this can inhibit the flow of positive energy into the home so it should be corrected. The ideal would be a slightly winding path, with well tended but low shrubs, that leads to an impressive and strong entrance door.

Entrance doors should be well lit but the lighting should not glare into the eyes of your visitors. Lighting should come from several sources to create an ambience of welcome. Having glass doors within and on either side of the door is also excellent as it allows more light to come into the home where you greet your guests and family. Light is very important for positive Feng Shui and should always be considered.

Another common problem is when entrance doors are positioned on the side of the house and so are not seen easily from the front. This makes it harder for good chi to find you. But the very worst situation is if you use a back entrance door, or entrance doors that come in to the house through the garage. In both these situations Feng Shui teaches that success, good health and good fortune will not be able to find you.

Entrance doors make a powerful statement about the status of the family that dwells within. A wrought iron door with glass windows is considered to be the best Feng Shui because it says both that you are open to energy coming to you through the windows, and that  you are strong enough to repel any negative energy with the power of iron.

Glass doors without the iron are not so auspicious because they allow too much energy into the home indiscriminately. But glass doors combined with strong but attractive iron grillwork is enticing to good fortune. Glass doors that lead to a garden from a bedroom or dining area can be auspicious, but it is best to curtain glass doors at night time to keep the good chi inside. A screen door over your entrance door is also not auspicious because it obscures the doors attraction power and is a barrier to good chi.

All entrance doors must be clean, well lit, welcoming and easily accessible. Color can also make your entrance door more appealing to good fortune. Typically in China, the primary color recommended was always red, as red is the Feng Shui color of  good fortune. However, more recently, consultants are tailoring color choice to the specific business or life goals of the residents. Earth tones are excellent Feng Shui because they connect the entrance door to the power of the earth.

Glass in your entrance door should be obscured – not clear. This allows chi energy and light into the home but maintains privacy and modesty. Only when you open your door to allow in a guest should the inside be visible from the outside.

It is very important that entrance doors are solid and well maintained. An entrance door should be heavy but silent and very easy to open and close – they should be on smooth bearings that do not squeak. A rickety door interrupts the flow of chi and also signals to a guest that there will be problems inside. The sound of wind chimes or a small fountain as you stand before the entrance door will persuade only good energy to come in and dispel negative energies.