Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui for a Space With Multiple Doorways

Anjie Cho November 3, 2019

I've set up my home-office in the front dining room of my house. I have a few feng shui adjustments, but I'm unsure whether I need to use them and, if so, where to place them, as I have two doorways. Can you advise?

Nathan R., Queens, NY

Hi Nathan!

Thanks for sending your floor plan and for reading the blog!

You may know that in feng shui, using your dining room table as a desk is not ideal. If you work from home, it's best to purchase a desk and create a separate space for your work, so that you can focus on work while you're there and give yourself space from work when you're off.

That said, if the dining space is all you have, there are certainly adjustments that can help make this area work for you.

Your question is regarding two doors in the dining room area. Two doors are okay, however when you sit at your "desk," you are in line with the doorway to the hallway. This is problematic because the qi from that door comes directly towards you. The relationship of where you sit to the kitchen doorway is fine.

Some options for being in the line of qi based on the hall doorway:

You can hang a feng shui crystal ball halfway between the doorway and where you sit. You can find these in the Holistic Spaces store. This will disperse the qi coming at you from the doorway. If there's already a crystal chandelier above the dining room table, this can be used as a substitution.
Another option is to move the dining table towards the window wall (left side of drawing) so you're not directly in line with the door. This way, you remain in commanding position in relationship to both doors.

Whatever adjustments you choose to make for your dining / office space, keep in mind that it's important to separate your work from your personal life. When you're finished working each day, take time to straighten your desk and say goodnight to your work. If you can, drape a scarf or piece of fabric over your workspace when you are not working. Out of sight, out of mind! This way you'll feel comfortable and relaxed at night, and wake to a desk that's in order and ready for work!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.

Dive deeper into feng shui to transform your life!

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Create sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: What to Do When Your Desk Isn't In Command

Anjie Cho September 8, 2019

I happily discovered your blog and am inspired to feng shui my desk! Unfortunately I have an L-Shaped desk attached to the walls, and the right side of my body is directly in line with the door. I do not have the option to change this, what can I do instead? Can I use crystals?

- Joanne C., San Francisco, CA

BTB feng shuiHi Joanne, thanks so much for your question. This is a good question, because it’s very common. If you work in a cubicle, or most office spaces, it’s very likely you will have a desk that is fastened to the walls, often placing the worker directly in line with the door (or door of the cubicle). I have designed many, many office spaces in my time, and even after learning feng shui, sometimes you end up with a situation like this. For instance, in my home office, my only option is also to place my desk so that my (left) side is directly in line with the door.

Luckily, BTB feng shui gives us some tools to adjust these situations. Ideally, if at all possible, it is best to place the desk in command. But for those of us without that option, I have some suggestions!

Convex Mirror

If the side of your body is facing the door, then you are not in command while sitting at your desk. A simple way to adjust this is to use a convex mirror. I have a small one on the top of my computer monitor so that it expands my view around me. It’s even better if you can place it angled so that you can see the door. You can get one at the Holistic Spaces store here.

Feng Shui Crystal Ball

Because you’re in line with the door, that puts you in the path of qi. This should be adjusted, because the qi comes at you very quickly and can be damaging. The feng shui way of adjusting for this is to place a faceted feng shui crystal ball halfway between you and the door. Grab a crystal ball with string at the Holistic Spaces store here. Hang the crystal ball with a red string from the ceiling. The length of the string can be cut in a dimension that is a multiple of 9, such as 9”, 18”, 27” and so forth. You can use any units, including centimeters. The crystal ball energetically breaks up that rushing qi and disperses it.

If you have enough room, you can use something else to break up the line of qi, such as a piece of furniture or plants. We’d love to see a photo of what you end up doing!

I hope you also listen to my Podcast, Episode #3 feng shui for your desk!

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" (formerly “Question of the Month”). We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

10 Designer-Approved Home Offices to Inspire Your Own

Anjie Cho August 28, 2019

featured on Martha Stewart by Caroline Biggs

Whether we like it or not, most of us have to work from home at some point. That's why creating a home office space you actually want to spend time in is so important. "Designing a home office can be challenging because the purpose of the space is for working rather than 'living,'" says Anjie Cho, interior architect and author of Holistic Spaces: 108 Ways to Create a Mindful and Peaceful Home.

The first step in creating a home office where you'll actually get work done, is finding the space to put one. "I've found that a lot of people can't find the physical space for a proper home office, so they have to carve out what they can in another room," Cho says. "If this is the case, I suggest using a fabric drape, roller shade, or freestanding screen or shelf to visually separate your workspace from the rest of the room."

When it comes to furnishing your home office, Cho says to start with the essentials. "A desk or work table is the most important furniture item in a home office," she explains, "so take care to properly measure the office area to make sure you have enough room for the one you want."

…read full article