A Tip from E. J. Shaffert, Director of London School of Feng Shu
You might find it a little strange that Feng Shui consultants can speak with such passion about the front door of a home. And yet, there is a very good reason for this.
As we explored in last week’s Feng Shui Tip, the front door is a powerful metaphor for our connection with the outside world. Each time we step out of our homes, we are crossing the bridge between our inner and outer lives.
And in the summer months, this becomes even more noticeable.
This is the season when we naturally open the door more often, let in the fresh air, welcome the morning light, and perhaps pause for a moment to feel the warmth of the day before we step outside. The threshold of the home becomes more alive — not just as an entrance, but as a place where our energy meets the energy of the world.
On a subconscious level, the simple act of stepping over the threshold has deep meaning.
If you open your front door to the sight of neglected buildings, overflowing bins, or the sound of harsh traffic, you might immediately feel your energy drop and think, “Oh no, another stressful day.”
And yet, if you open your front door to summer flowers, a clear path, a flourishing garden, or even the sound of birdsong, your attitude towards the day ahead will probably feel much more positive.
This is one of the reasons we work with Feng Shui: to adjust our experience of the environment so that it sends helpful messages to the subconscious mind.
Your home is constantly giving you cues about what life feels like, what you expect, and what you are ready to receive. And the front door is one of the most important places where these messages are formed.
So this week, take a moment to go to your front door and consciously notice what message it is sending about your connection to the world.
Stand inside your home, open the front door, and simply observe your experience.
Do you feel inspired by the view ahead? Do you feel ready to step out into the world? Or does the view make you want to turn around and shut the door again?
Now do the same experiment in reverse.
Stand outside your home, open your front door, and notice the view into your space. Does it feel inviting, warm, and nurturing? Or are you immediately met by clutter, shoes, coats, bags, or a sense of chaos?
Begin to think creatively about how you can improve the view on both sides of your front door. In doing this, you are not just decorating an entrance. You are literally shifting your vision of your inner and outer worlds.
And here is a classic Feng Shui tip:
Make sure your front door can open at least 90 degrees.
Avoid placing coat racks, shoe boxes, bags, or pieces of furniture behind the door that prevent it from opening fully. This is especially common in smaller homes and crowded apartments, where the entrance can easily become a dumping ground.
If the door is blocked, the message is simple and powerful: opportunity cannot enter easily.
This summer, let your front door breathe. Clear the threshold, open the space, and allow your home to greet the world with a sense of freshness, welcome, and possibility.
Practice these suggestions this week, and I will be back next week with your next Feng Shui Tip.
