Feng Shui Begins at Your Front Door, 5 Key Tips

By Erica Sofrina, Author of Small Changes, Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western World

The ancient art of Feng Shui is a wonderful study that brings together an eclectic mix of good interior design practices, the Chinese five element theory, Taoist principles of yin and yang based on the I Ching, and folk wisdom passed down from generation to generation in China.

At its foundation is the belief that everything on the planet is imbued with life-source energy, or chi, and that everything embodies consciousness and that we, as humans, are continuously interacting with everything we encounter. It is either feeding and inspiring us – expanding or increasing our energy – or doing the opposite and bringing our energy down.

Our homes are a compilation of the energy of the things in them, along with the energy of the people and animals that live there (and the energies of the past occupants). Since we spend so much time in our homes, the way they interact with our energy field is considered to have a powerful influence on our lives affecting our relationships, careers, prosperity and health. Creating a home that supports, uplifts and nurtures us is considered tantamount to creating a balanced, healthy and happy life.

The Entryway: The Mouth of Chi

In Feng Shui we always begin at the front door, which is considered the mouth of chi where all of our opportunities come to us. In a past article on How To Welcome Opportunities I address this. The next most important place is the foyer of the home.

5 Tips to Feng Shui Your Foyer

This is the transition area where we come in from the outer to the inner world. We want to make it “entrancing” no matter what kind of foyer we have.

Homes and apartments have a myriad of different entrances areas. Some encounter a wall as soon as they enter, some have no foyer and we literally fall into the living space, some have elaborate entrances with room to create an “entrancing” area.

Whatever your situation, think about creating breaks and accelerators, stopping the chi before it rushes into the home, and creating a positive first impression. You can do this by creating a beautiful area that allows us to pause and reflect, lifting our chi and inspiring us as we enter.

The foyer is considered our most public area and not a place to display personal items such as family photos or religious artifacts. Save these for the more private areas such family rooms.

1. This is the place to hang your most lovely artwork, put a graceful table beneath it. Arrange an attractive floral arrangement (silk is fine) with ornamental objects that are pleasing. If there is no room for any furniture, you can hang a shallow shelf on the entry wall and put your arrangements there. No matter what kind of entry way you have to work with, make sure it inspires and uplifts.

2. Putting an attractive mirror at the entry way is a gracious way to welcome in the chi. Just make sure it is not placed directly across from the front door or it will send the chi (often interpreted as money) right back out!

3. Insure that the door can open fully without encumbrances behind it. Front doors are considered very important in Feng Shui allowing in our opportunities and hence, money. We want to make sure there are no blockages here.

4. Clearly mark where people are to go if it is confusing. As creatures of comfort, we never like to feel confused when entering any space. You can use directional art, which will cause the eye to go in the direction you want guests to go.

5. Represent all of the five elements of water, fire, earth, metal and wood in your entryway. This will create an inspiring environment creating a sense of peace and well-being for everyone who enters. See my article on Applying the Five Elements to your Home.

Free Color Five Elements Map for Care2 readers : For those of you who would like to learn more about how to apply the five elements to your living space, I am offering my readers a free color copy of my Five Elements Map. Click here for your free copy (pdf format). For more information about Erica Sofrina and the programs she offers, you are invited to visit her web site at www.ericasofrina.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Helen W.

12:24AM PDT on May 12, 2013

wow thanks :)

May 12
send a green star

Angie V.

11:06PM PDT on May 10, 2013

wow how awesome thanks

May 10
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Amandine S.

9:53AM PDT on May 10, 2013

Thanks

Val M.

2:39AM PDT on May 10, 2013

Thanks for sharing

Aud N.

12:25PM PDT on May 9, 2013

May 9
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Nils Anders L.

9:09AM PDT on Oct 10, 2012

October 10
send a green star

Paul B.

12:16AM PDT on Oct 7, 2012

Great article and I have seen many people who are unaware of Feng Shui and yet they were using it in their homes via their style.

When I first used FS hardly anyone had even heard of it. It was 1978 and I was living in a duplex by the beach with a very nice neighbor. Well she moved out and some drug addicts managed to get by my landlord and the place went from peaceful to full on drug party 24X7 it was insane. I tried all the normal avenues to get them to check their behavior all the way to calling the police but no deal. I was beginning to think of criminal way to get rid of them when Lo and Behold a Miracle! I was in a book store and saw a book about FS and being curious about the words had a look inside. One area was titled "How to Handle Problem Neighbors" I had a look, bought the book and put up the FS to correct the problem facing my neighbors. The next day I came home from work and my neighbor on the other side who also hated them came over and said, "you won't believe what happened today, they started fighting and rolled out onto the street, the police came out to break it up checked out their ID's and booked them for outstanding warrants."

They never came back and their stuff was taken out by the landlord and a new unaddicted neighbor moved in, bless you Feng Shui! I have used the same techniques a few other times with the same results so to say the least I am sold. To find out what I did you will have to look it up yourself because this all takes yo

October 7
send a green star

Winn A.

8:34PM PDT on Oct 6, 2012

October 6
send a green star

Olivia S.

5:16PM PDT on Oct 6, 2012

Thanks for the great advice Erica. I have one major problem with our "front" entry in that we really don't have one. My hubby and I designed our house, modifying house plans we liked...but we made a few mistakes. We have a side door and a "back" door on the main level (which is ground level on only one end of our house as it is built on a slope). The back door I mention opens right into our kitchen (off our driveway) and it is our main entrance..so it appears to be a front door. Our only rear exit is from the sliding glass doors on the end of the basement that opens to ground level. I have followed your advice the best I can with our very atypical entrance..but there isn't a lot I can do with it as it is.

Linda V.

2:25AM PDT on Oct 6, 2012

thanks