by Lisa Janusz
I recently came across an article in one of my magazines that featured a house that had not one, not even two, but three front doors! And they were all painted the exact same way – red to stand out. The home owner’s quote was about it being welcoming, but from a Feng Shui perspective, it’s not that way; it’s confusing. From a visitor standpoint, which one do you go to? And if you’re familiar with the bagua, where would you place it? I don’t know that homeowner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she felt scattered or unsettled.
In Feng Shui, front doors are vital to the energy that comes into our home. They are the “mouths of chi” and call in energy, welcome energy and keep it moving. We dedicate a lot of time to discussing front doors in our professional program for just that reason – they are critical pieces of the puzzle to the house’s story. This goes even when the front door isn’t used that often, in the case of the attached garage. But they’re still important!
No doubt I’ve got you thinking about your own front door. With the change of seasons, now is the perfect time to take a look and see what’s happening there and make a shift. Here are a few starting ideas:
- Add a windchime, bell, or other sound element to “call in” what you’d like (opportunity, job, relationship, wealth, helpful people)
- Add something with movement like a flag or whirligig to “move” in a new direction
- Add flowers, new door mat, or lantern to renew the energy that could be stagnant from the dormancy of winter
- Paint the door a color you love that is different from anything else on the house so it stands out. This is your calling card to the world, and let them know you are ready for what’s ahead. (Extra note: although red is a traditional color, painting the door a color you LOVE is always our recommendation. If that’s red, go for it!)
- Add seating (as long as it doesn’t block the door) inside to invite opportunities to stay awhile
- Use it so it gains momentum – get the mail, leave through that door to go for a walk
Our front door gets used pretty regularly (hey, it’s me after all!), and I’m pretty conscientious throughout the year changing our front door wreath and add other touches depending on the season. It brings a fresh energy to a key piece of our home.
If you are seeking some change in your life, start with your front door. See what happening there and have it work for you. You never know who – or what – will come physically – or metaphorically – knocking.
Intrigued? You can read more about front doors in this article from a few years ago.
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