3 Tips to Give Your Front Door Feng Shui

Picture the perfectly round door of a Hobbit house, the dramatic symmetry of the Chrysler building entrance, or even the quirky purple apartment door from Friends.

Imagining those iconic exteriors is easy because they're so memorable. Fun fact — they all happen to showcase one of the most fundamental elements of feng shui, the ancient Chinese philosophy of arranging a living space to attain balance.

A Hobbit house is nestled underground, with a whimsical wooden door that fits snugly into a round hillside. The Chrysler building reflects the larger-than-life feel of New York City, and the door to Monica's apartment is as quirky as the friends themselves.

Achieving harmony is the main aim of feng shui. In doing so, you drive the flow of chi, a vital life force that brings good fortune and prosperity.

Why Front Door Feng Shui Is Important

Your front door is the portal to your home. It's the first thing people see, keeps your family safe, embodies your individuality, and can even change the character of the street your house is on. Every day it beckons you into the place where your most precious things live.

When you apply feng shui to your exterior doors, you bring positivity into your home. Here are three handy tips to help you get the flow going.

Make the Space Clean and Serene

To start, the area around your front door should be free of clutter. This space is prone to pile up, from discarded rubbish and shoes to dirt and debris. Be mindful of this and keep things as clean and clear as you can.

By removing aspects that create a disorderly and stagnant feeling, you open your entryway up for positive energy to flow straight into your house. You'll also save yourself the stress of seeing a mess every time you come home.

Focus On the Door Itself

You may not be able to choose the direction your front door faces or whether some architectural details contradict feng shui principles, but you can control many aspects of the door itself.

A front door should be proportionate to the house and larger than interior doors. Opt for materials that are aesthetically appealing to you and secure enough to keep your family safe.

Metal is often used in feng shui to activate stagnant energy, while wood can either calm or stimulate the environment depending on the type you choose.

Keep It Warm and Welcoming

Feng shui is all about promoting a strong flow of positive energy into your home, so don't stand in its way. Watch out for off-putting details, like sharp objects or architectural features that put focus on areas like private bedrooms or the bathroom.

Use fresh flowers, a pretty piece of art, or even a pop of color to draw the eye where you like and instill a sense of calm and wellbeing.

Go With the Flow

Applying feng shui can feel overwhelming. But as long as you strive to achieve balance and harmony, the rest should fall into place. Start with your exterior doors and see where the chi leads you — you'll be surprised at the difference a door can make.