Feng shui is an ancient Asian practice that works with the qi (life force energy) in our spaces and in order to support and enhance our own energy. Feng shui practitioners look at the layout of the home to improve the flow of qi. Ideally, we want the qi to enter the home easily and smoothly, and flow throughout the home. There are some design details that can impact the qi of a home, including a staircase directly facing the front door.
One of the most important areas of your home to look at from a feng shui perspective is your front door, also called the mouth of qi. This is the main entry point for energy to come in from outside the home, so you want to make sure that it’s set up optimally to receive positive qi for everyone living in the home. A couple of simple ways to do this are to make sure your front door is in good working order and to remove anything that might be blocking your door from opening fully.
When a stair is directly opposite, in line with, and facing the front door, it creates a challenging feng shui layout because it allows energy to flow quickly and directly in and out the front door, which can indicate diminished resources or finances. In general, a staircase also generally represents ups and downs, which can be quite disruptive. If there’s a staircase very close to the front door, it can have a significant impact on the energy throughout the home.
When Is a Staircase Facing the Front Door an Issue?
Here are a few things to watch out for—but keep in mind that these are general guidelines, not dogmatic rules.
If you see the stairs right when you open the door, or if the staircase is directly in line with the door, this isn’t an ideal layout. Generally, it may be an issue if the staircase is less than 10 feet or so from the front door, or less than twice the height of the tallest occupant in the home.
If the foyer or entryway is open, expansive and bright, or if you have a bright and functional light fixture above the staircase or foyer, this layout is likely not something you need to worry about. These conditions allow the qi entering your home to expand and move more easily.
How to Work With a Staircase Facing the Front Door
As mentioned above, if the foyer or entryway feels open and expansive, this layout may not be a problem. If you’re not sure, pay attention to how you feel when you enter the home. Does it feel comfortable and spacious, or tight and cramped?
If you think the entryway and staircase in your home may be an issue, ask yourself some questions.
- How are your resources?
- What are your energy levels like?
- Do you feel like your wealth and abundance are a little depleted?
If you feel like your answers to any of these questions could be improved upon, you might want to try a simple feng shui adjustment, and see how it feels.
How to Shift and Correct the Imbalance
There are several simple ways to shift the qi and correct any imbalances caused by a staircase in front of the main entrance:
- Hang a feng shui crystal ball halfway between the foot of the stairs and the front door to lift the qi in the entryway.
- Place a mirror at the top of the stairs facing the front door to create a feeling of expansiveness.
- Place a rug at the base of the stairs to slow down the qi and ground this area. Consider using a round area rug to smooth out the qi, and encourage it to circulate.
- If you have space, add furnishings like a round table in the center of the foyer that will allow the qi to curve and meander through the home. Make sure any furniture you add is not making the area feel more cluttered.
- Add a small, narrow console against a wall in the entryway with a mirror or piece of art over it. This can help to move the qi around the space and draw the eye away from the staircase.
