You probably already know that using the tenets of feng shui can result in indoor space that hums with harmony. But were you aware that this ancient Chinese philosophy also can be used to improve your home’s exterior? In fact, good feng shui outside not only allows you to welcome visitors peacefully, but it can even entice potential buyers.
If you’re ready to take the feng shui outside, here are seven spots to focus on when it comes to your home’s curb appeal, and the feng shui reasoning behind each one.
1. Front door
Focusing on your entryway is key, as this spot is the main portal for energy to enter your home. Feng shui dictates that a welcoming doorway calls both energy and opportunity into the home and the lives of those who live there, according to the International Feng Shui Guild.
If your entrance can’t be easily found from the street, try to figure out why (you might need to get bigger house numbers or trim back some bushes). If good energy (or qi) can’t find your door, a buyer won’t either. Some tips include painting the front door red, which is an auspicious color in feng shui that attracts the eye.
And don’t forget about the walkway or sidewalk that leads to your home. Both should be in good repair because, like a flowing river, they bring beneficial energy to the house.
2. Plants and flowers
You probably know old tricks like adding lush plantings, blooms and colorful trees to your yard and front stoop to boost curb appeal. But following these tips does more than make things pretty.
Flowers are the yang (positive) expression of a plant, which indicates its health and confers it to the home. In fact, focusing on feng shui only outside of your home would be enough to raise your house’s overall energy and bring in growth and vitality.
Not the season for planting where you live? Plant bushes and grasses in front, and add seasonal color in pots at the door. But a word of caution: Nix any kind of pointy plants like cactus in your planters, because they are said to foreshadow the pain within.
3. Exterior paint
Peeling paint indicates problems coming to light, so make sure to tackle any problem areas before an open house. Good feng shui depends on a home that’s in the best shape, so be sure to keep up with small—but significant—maintenance tasks.
4. Lawn care
A pristine lawn that’s been mowed, has healthy plants, and is free of leaves and branches not only shows that you care about your home, but it also adheres to feng shui principles. An unkempt lawn indicates that the home does not cultivate good energy.
5. Garage and driveway
House hunters will peek inside your garage—and traverse your driveway to get there—so clean up these hot spots before it happens. If you have a lot of clutter or your pathways are blocked, potential buyers will feel heavy, scattered and overwhelmed—and this is not what they want to feel in their new home. As for those garbage bins haphazardly sitting in your driveway, your refuse has negative energy (plus, it stinks). Leaving those bins out in the open can bring down your entire home’s qi.
6. Exterior windows
It may sound hokey, but windows are the eyes of your house—and sparkling-clean ones are critical to feng shui curb appeal. Clean windows represent clear thinking and understanding, and dirty ones can make buyers wonder what else isn’t maintained. Dirt also doesn’t reflect light, and it’s light that attracts people.
7. Fixtures
Sticky doors and wobbly hinges may deter a buyer because they point to carelessness. When things fall into disrepair, it indicates stagnant energy, and it pushes life away rather than bringing it in. Take note of rust around your home’s exterior, too. Rusty doorknobs point to a challenging career or difficult, untended relationships. A wise buyer may pick up on these vibes—and move on to another house.