Front Doors, Feng Shui and You

Front doors, they are the entrance to your home and the first impression the world gets of you. They give you a hint of the home beyond. Whether you enhance your front door or not, it plays an important part in the perception of the character and personality of your home. The question is, is what it reflects what you want to see?

I once read that if a home was a one-man show, the front door would play the lead. Why? In the home, the door does it all. It provides protection from the elements, safety for the inhabitants and as the entrance to your home it also creates a sense of welcome by setting the tone. It may greet you with the vibrancy of beautiful flowers, or the beauty of a carved design, or the rich, full colors provided by stain and paint, or it may greet you with the fresh energy of a well cared for space. Then again, it may greet you with a sense of loneliness, neglect and disrepair. And that would be a sad greeting indeed.

If you've been on my website or spoken to me, you've often heard me say that your home should be so comfortable to you that it's as though it greets you with a hug. Your front door should literally smile a greeting to you.

How can a door smile a greeting?

In a word, it should be lovely. Stain or paint your front door a lucious color, a color that you love, one that steps forward while complimenting the style of your home and other colors used on the exterior of the home. (No, this doesn't always mean red. It can be any color, as long as it's a color that lifts your spirits and makes your heart sing when you look at it!)

If you're in the market for a new door, choose a style that captures details you love. Front doors don't have to be plain and white any more than the walls of our rooms do.

In the world of Feng Shui, front doors are said to be the mouth of chi`. The place where all opportunity enters you home. Your front door represents the transition between your outer and inner world. It literally sets the tone and energy for your entire home.

Click here to see some before and after images.

To keep the energy flowing positively toward your home and front door you should:

1. Keep the entire area around the front door clean, no leaves, cobwebs, dead plants or clutter.
2. The front door should be well lit.
3. The front door should be easy to find. (picture Ed McMahon coming down your street with a $10 million dollar sweepstakes check, wouldn't you want him to be able to find you?)
4. The front door should open easily & fully. Any malfunction has a negative effect on you and can create a sense of unease for your guests.
5. Your house number or nameplate should be easy to see and read.
6. Your doorbell should be in good repair and in working order.
7. Purchase and use a good quality doormat for your guests.
8. And last but not least, to keep the entry to your home fresh, flowing and vibrant, use your front door regularly.

Sounds simple doesn't it? Well, it is. It just takes an investment of your time and energy. I promise, it will be time well-spent!