Stairways & Feng Shui

Have your heard that having your stairway aligned with the front door is poor Feng Shui? It is. It also turns out to be poor design, which seems to be the case with many Feng Shui issues.

Stairs are known as an "attractive nuisance" by the legal profession and architects and designers need to minimize the risk in their designs. Stairs should be placed where there are few distractions, as many accidents in the home occur here – either the first step or last step. Having the stairs aligned with the light and activity of the front door is a major distraction.

In Feng Shui Terms…

The issue here is that the front door is considered the "mouth of chi" in a home. It is the bridge to the outside world and opportunities in every area of lie. If the stairway is in this position, the majority of the chi entering the front door will be funneled up he stairs and into the private, more yin spaces of the home (the bedrooms).

This can cause disturbances with sleep patterns and limit recuperation from illness. In addition, the public spaces of the home will not be nourished and supported. All members of the home will have a general tendency to work hard in their careers, studies and relationships with little reward. 

This is especially true if your stairs are less than 6 feet or so from the door (the closer they are, the worse the effect). However, if your home has a big entrance foyer and the stairs are set back from the door, the foyer probably gives ample opportunity for chi to flow around the home and also is less of a visual distraction as you descend the stairs.

What to do?

Feng-shui wise, there is no need to move the door (one family I knew did do this!). You just need to employ a way to funnel the chi away from the steps. Some ideas that may help you:

• Angle a runner into the room, away from the stairs
• Add a water fountain close to the front door where you want to direct the chi (moving water is a great attractor of chi!)
• Install a crystal ball from the ceiling between door and first step to help distribute the chi around the house
• Even angling a mirror properly can help move the chi elsewhere

These are some ideas of how you can cure the chi issue, but a professional Feng Shui consultant will analyze your specific situation and recommend an appropriate remedy for your home.

Photo credit: Homes.com