If you’re building a custom new home, how can you make sure that it’s in line with the principles of feng shui right from the start?

In general, feng shui is aimed at bringing balance and harmony into one’s surroundings. If you have some liberty with your new home plans, ask your new home builder to incorporate some kind of water feature near the front entrance and to make sure there’s a well-defined path to a prominent front door. According to the principles of feng shui, the front door is the gateway of energy. Also, request that your new home builder design a floor plan that’s open, rather than one that incorporates long hallways and lots of doors, as this is thought to prevent positive energy from staying in the home.

If you don’t have much or any say over your new home design, you can still incorporate good feng shui into your interior design. For example, make sure that all furniture (including appliances, if possible) faces the door of the room. (Pieces of furniture should not, however, be perfectly in line with the door.) It’s also a good idea to use moving into your house as an opportunity to de-clutter your life. To encourage positive energy, try not to bring anything into your new home that you don’t absolutely need or love.

Top image courtesy of Dave Fayram.