The entrance to your home is often overlooked as just a place to transition from the inside to the outside world, but it is one of the most important spaces that introduces the interior design of your home and welcomes guests. Due to their cluttered nature, they can become crowded areas very quickly, but by adopting feng shui principles, you may be able to change the energy of your entryway and create a calm entrance to your home.
Feng Shui is an ancient principle that looks at the flow of energy in spaces to create harmony. “Entryway Feng Shui is crucial because it is where vital energy, or Qi, first enters your home,” explains Victor Cheung, founder of Feng Shio Nexus. ‘A well-designed entrance ensures that this energy is positive and nourishing, promoting good luck and well-being. It helps create a positive and welcoming atmosphere, and ensures you start and end your day with good energy, promoting a feeling of well-being.’ You may not have realized you were making feng shui mistakes at the entryway, and correcting them could be the key to bringing good energy into your home.
1. Incorrect mirror position
(Image credit: Tina M. Witherspoon. Design: Regular Architecture Office)
All doorways need a mirror, giving you the opportunity to check your reflection before leaving the house and bounce light around those cramped and light-poor rooms.
According to feng shui for the entryway, mirrors and reflective surfaces can help amplify the energy in the entryway, making it appear more spacious and lively. “Avoid missing out on this by strategically placing mirrors or reflective decor to enhance the flow of energy and create a feeling of openness,” says Victor Cheung, founder of Feng Shio Nexus.
But be careful about where you hang your mirror, warns resident feng shui interior designer Lali Kafe Gonzalez. “A common mistake is to hang mirrors in our entryway, directly across from the front door,” says Lally. “There’s nothing wrong with having a mirror in your entryway, and it can be a good way to elevate your design, but make sure you hang it perpendicular to the front door so it doesn’t reflect Che Right back through the door.
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2. Forgetting that the entrance starts outside the front door
(Image credit: Ben Cole. Design: Textile Engineering Studio.)
Your entryway often mirrors the outside entryway or porch area, so include this part of the house in your entryway design, and think about how the two spaces will work together. “The entrance starts from the outside of the house, so don’t forget to make the outside attractive, clean and organized,” says Lali.
Clearly mark the house number, make sure debris is removed, and illuminate the space with stylish outdoor hallway lighting. ‘If you have feng shui plants outside, don’t forget to take care of them and keep them healthy. If there is a path leading to your front door, make sure it is well maintained, lit with outdoor path lighting, and accessible.’
3. Choosing the wrong lighting
(Image credit: Tina M. Witherspoon. Design: Regular Architecture Office)
Lighting is always important, but have you thought that your home’s entryway lighting may contribute to poor feng shui energy? “Most people don’t have enough lighting around their doors and inside their entryways,” Lally says. “Lighting is a way to raise the level of qi in the area.”
“Inadequate lighting can create a dreary and stagnant atmosphere, so make sure the hallway is well lit, inside and out,” Victor agrees. “Make sure your entryway is well lit with natural and artificial light and use warm, welcoming lighting fixtures to invite positive energy into your home, making the entryway look inviting and lively.” It’s a layered layout, just like you would in the main rooms of the house like the kitchen, bedrooms, and living rooms.
A table lamp on a console table can illuminate a vignette, adequate overhead ceiling lighting will provide an overall glow, and adding a couple of wall lights if you have room to contribute to the brightness of the space like this example from Office of Ordinary Architecture.
Pastel Wayfind Wall Sconce
4. Allow clutter to accumulate
(Image credit: Armel Habib. Design: Austin Design Associates)
“When creating the perfect feng shui entryway, it is essential to maintain an environment free of clutter, allowing energy to flow easily through the space,” says Tommy Zhong, lead designer at Studio Zhong.
Clutter is a major energy blocker, and when the entrance to your home is cluttered with shoes, bags or excess decor, it hinders the smooth flow of Qi. “To avoid this, tidy the area regularly, keeping only essential items at the entrance, and create designated storage spaces for shoes and bags to maintain a clean, open hallway.”
Hall trees can be a great addition to storage, a handy one-stop shop for a clear path that may include a bench, drawers and hooks that provide a designated area for all the hallway clutter.
5. Introducing obstacles that change the path of energy
(Image credit: Armel Habib. Design: Austin Design Associates)
It may seem simple, but the key to a good Feng Shui entrance lies in how quickly your energy flows around the space, so think about obstacles and the eye line. First, make sure your door can open and close cleanly and smoothly. “Making sure the door opens fully without obstructions is important to allow energy to enter smoothly,” Victor says. “Declutter the space and remove any unnecessary items to allow for a clear, open path.”
Avoid lining up the back door with the front door as well, or looking directly into the back garden from the front door which could cause energy to flow too quickly through the house.
“Have a foyer just inside the entryway to collect, contain and slow the flow of energy,” says feng shui master Jane Langhoff of Feng Shui Concepts. ‘The foyer allows energy to accumulate before it is distributed throughout the house. This helps in creating a balanced and harmonious flow of energy throughout the home.’