Feng Shui is the philosophy of how to create harmonious environments based on promoting the flow of good energy or “chi”. The delicate balance is created through appropriate placement of objects within your living environment. Feng Shui teaches that your home is a direct reflection of the individual; an extension of the body and the importance of where and how you place things will affect balance, harmony, health and your overall well-being.

If you are planning a remodel and would like to embrace the concepts of Feng Shui, read the tips below for important design considerations.

1. Front Door. This is the most important part of your home. It’s the main source of entry for energy and as such there are many guidelines on how it should be oriented.
• The door should always open inwards.
• It should not align with other doors, windows, closets, walls or stairway.
• Allow enough space for a welcoming entry.

2. Stairs. Energy travels in both directions in your stairwell.
• Avoid positioning in the center of your home.
• Do not align with your front door.

3. Windows & Doors. Both are considered channels for light and energy so their placement is critical.
• Too many of either promotes weak energy.
• Windows in the back of the home should be limited.
• Avoid floor to ceiling windows in the bedroom.
• Kitchen and bathroom doors should not align.
• Be sure to allow space around them.
• Avoid positioning doors that open into one another.

4. Kitchen. This room represents nourishment and prosperity and the additional elements of fire (the stove) and water (sink, dishwasher) make positioning and layout very important.
• It should not be the first room you enter from your front door, nor should it be close to or within view of it.
• Avoid placing in the center of the home.
• It should not face a bathroom door or be placed underneath a bathroom.
• Do not position your stove directly next to the sink, refrigerator or dishwasher. It’s also important not to position it beneath a bedroom.

5. Bathrooms. In Feng Shui, toilets represent a negative energy source.
• Avoid placing in the center of the home.
• Doors should not face the front door, bedroom door, or kitchen entry.
• When arranging furniture, you do not want the door to face the bed or a desk.

6. Master Bedrooms. To promote good energy for peaceful rest, there are many guidelines for the location and position of your master bedroom.
• The best placement is in a quiet area, hidden from main traffic, away from the front door.
• Avoid placing it over the garage or kitchen.
• Determine where the bed will be placed and do not place any windows directly above or close to it.

We realize that following all of these guidelines would be very difficult without completely starting over and redesigning your entire home. The key is to observe as many of them as you can within the space you already have and when the time comes to remodel, incorporate what you can into your design.