Your home is your own personal space. It is where you can relax and completely be yourself. That’s why it’s especially important to keep negativity and problems away, allowing your home to remain a safe and positive sanctuary.
To ensure your home is a great place to spend time in, we’ve put together a guide for a welcoming entryway that will leave negativity at the door.
Let your front door speak for itself.
Having a well kept front door can have an incredible impact on your home. Walking towards an old and run down door may not invoke the same feeling of welcome and homeliness than a newer, cleaner and perhaps an even colourful front door.
Walking home towards a home you love will make you look forward to reaching it, opening it and taking a step inside.
Follow traditional Indian Vastu tips.
According to Vastu tradition in India, the home’s main door is a ‘gateway to success’ – through which all energies (both good and bad) can pass. Ideally, you’ll only have positive energies entering your home!
It also describes the entrance as ‘the face of the house’ – the first thing people notice about your home, as well as ‘Simhadwaram’ – the dwelling place of Ganesha, Lakshmi and Saraswati. By keeping your door and entryway positive and designed in accordance with Vastu tradition, it is said we can encourage the positive blessings of these Gods and Goddesses.
This tradition dictates that the main door to the home should be placed based on the way it is facing:
- North facing doors must be in the left half of the home when facing it from the North East.
- West facing doors must be in the left half when looking towards the home from the North West.
- South facing doors must be in the right half when looking towards the home from the South East.
- East facing doors must be in the right half when looking towards the home from the North East.
The only downside is, many of us move straight into homes rather than building them ourselves, so changing the location of the door itself isn’t always an option.
Luckily, Vastu tradition also suggests these tips that may be easier to work with:
- Ensure that the view is inviting as you open the door.
- The door should be at the street level or higher.
- A front door facing an abandoned building may invite negativity and is best avoided.
- A house should have two entrances. The exit must be smaller than the entrance.
- Choose a door that is not slanted or sliding.
- Don’t leave your rubbish or bins near the door.
- Avoid leaving your shoes in front of the door – put them to one side.
- If your door is cracked or worn down, replace it to avoid struggles in society.
- Decorate your entrance with statues or images of Lakshmi, Ganesha, Kubera or the Om sign to promote auspiciousness.
Hang leaves around your door.
Another Indian tradition is the art of hanging a garland of leaves around the front door of the home which we call ‘Toran”. This is part of the Hindu belief which is widespread throughout India, leading to the popularity of the ritual.
Usually, fresh mango leaves or neem leaves are used. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing with their bright green tones, they also help to absorb carbon dioxide in the air and keep their surroundings clean – certainly a great way to keep the entrance to your home!
Another benefit of this is that green is a natural and soothing colour that will help you relax as you return home after a busy day.
Use turmeric paste on your threshold.
In unison with the garlands of leaves, Hindu followers may also use turmeric paste on the threshold to their home. Turmeric is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial substance which is said to prevent bacteria and microorganisms from entering.
Create a bright and welcoming atmosphere.
To create a space that’s bright and welcoming, the colours and furniture you use are important. Opt for simple and practical yet attractive styles that won’t overwhelm your hallway.
As for colour, consider using warm shades in a bright hue, such as yellow or orange. These colours have connotations of positivity and happiness, so are perfect for keeping negativity at bay.
If you prefer a more neutral colour scheme in your home, choose a warm toned cream, buttermilk or beige rather than a cold and stark white.
Make sure your entry hall is well lit – inside and out.
Lighting can have a major effect on our moods. If our surroundings are dull and gloomy, it’s easier to feel unhappy, anxious or negative.
Light up the atmosphere and invite in some positive thinking by ensuring your entry hall is well lit. As you come in from the dark outdoors, you’ll want to be welcomed by the warm and bright atmosphere – whether you choose a large ceiling light or a selection of smaller lamps to flood the space with light.
This can also be a consideration for outside your home, too. Create a welcoming pathway full of solar powered lamps or even fairy lights to create a well-lit route to your safe place.
Ensure there’s space for storing outdoor items.
One thing that can cause stress and negativity in your life is mess and clutter, so make sure you have plenty of space to store outdoor items as you come through the door – rather than just dropping them on the floor.
Start with the simple necessities, like a coat rack or a bowl for safely placing your keys. You could also consider a chest or rack for storing shoes as you take them off at the door.
Depending on what else you keep in your home’s entryway, make sure there’s somewhere neat and tidy to store it all.
As a result, you’ll find that your entry hall doesn’t just look better – it’ll be stress-free and positive too!
By keeping your entryway a happy, welcoming and positive space, you’ll be able to enter your home feeling uplifted, creating a better atmosphere inside.
Leave your troubles at the door and use your home as a space to celebrate love, family and friends.
