The Feng Shui Guide to Doors and Windows

You may or may not have heard of Feng Shui. It’s an ancient Chinese art based on the idea that everything, including inanimate objects, has energy, and that energies can be harmonised according to their placement. Feng Shui is essentially a philosophical system for harmonising inhabitants with their surrounding environment.

Feng Shui has been used for thousands of years. Cavemen paid heed to their choice of cave and the surrounding environment, indicating a natural awareness of the effects of placement for successful survival.

The translation of Feng Shui literally means “wind-water.” Wind and water are natural elements that flow, move and circulate. Wind (air) and water are also largely what living organisms are composed of. Feng Shui practise looks at architecture in terms of invisible energy (known as Qi or Chi) that binds the universe, earth and humanity together. It is the study of the energetic relationships between the environment and human life.

In the home, Feng Shui examines how the placement of objects within it affects the flow of Qi or energy, and also how the placement of objects affects your personal energy flow.

The doors and windows of your home are the places where energy (or Chi) enters and leaves. This article has been brought to you by Dakota Murphey, working alongside The Window Shutter Company to put together some basic information about window and door Feng Shui in your home.

External doors – the basics

The front door is often seen to be the most important when it comes to bringing good energy into the home. Exterior doors create an expectation for visitors about what lies beyond. It needs to be well-cared for. Keep the front doorway area unobstructed (no cracked pots with dead plants, or recycling bins). Match the colour of your front door with the Feng Shui colour of its direction.

Windows – the basics

Windows are equally important when it comes to Feng Shui. They represent our connection with the outside world. They are more transparent than doors, so keep us connected to a changing external environment. Windows should be in proportion to the size of your home and always smaller than the door. It’s OK if a larger window is divided into smaller panes. Tall narrow windows limit opportunities. A good ratio in Feng Shui is three windows to each external door.

Floor-to-ceiling windows

While floor-to-ceiling windows have become hot on the list of must-have for home improvements in recent years, they’re not considered beneficial for Feng Shui. Floor-to-ceiling windows, according to Feng Shui principles, allow personal energy to flow right out of the home at floor level.

Front door – back door alignment

From a Feng Shui perspective, the front door brings good energy into the home. When the back door is in alignment with the front door it is said that energy easily escapes through the back door without circulating and nourishing the home.

Your bed and the window

Beds should never be placed under the window, unless there is no other place it can go. If there is no other choice, invest in a sturdy headboard and ensure heavy drapes are installed and closed at night. Having your bed under the window subconsciously interferes with the need to feel safe and protected during the night. The head of your bed should ideally be placed against a solid wall.

Window coverings in the bedroom are especially important at night. Resist your temptation to sleep in view of the stars. Uncovered windows at night allow your Chi energy to fly out while you are sleeping.

Window treatments

Harmonious window treatments are essential for good Feng Shui. Natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen, silk or bamboo are good choices. Colours and patterns are equally important when selecting curtain materials.

Vertical blinds create large cutting edges, which send out harsh energy from our homes. Other types of blinds are considered good Feng Shui for the home. Plantation blinds can provide a good balance in terms of privacy and light. It is better to go for high quality wood ones, rather than plastic or metal.

Keep windows clean

Our windows are the eyes of the home. Our windows also represent how we view the world. Keep windows clean and in good repair to safeguard health and well-being.

Trim outdoor plants

Don’t let plants overgrow your windows. Overgrown shrubs will have different negative affects according to the window they are obscuring. Front windows with a southeast facing direction are connected to wealth. If a plant is obscuring your view, you won’t have a realistic view of your finances.

Privacy

There has been a tendency in modern architecture to create large windows. These can make inhabitants feel like they are living in a fish bowl. It’s a question of balance when it comes to the view, light and privacy. Make sure you don’t feel over exposed as this attracts unsavoury types and metaphorical poison arrows.