Making the Most of a West-Facing House in Feng Shui

Introduction to Feng Shui for West-Facing Houses

In Chinese philosophy, a west-facing house is associated with creativity, relationships, and children. The energy from the western direction nourishes family life and activates the Metal feng shui element. When enhanced properly, a west-facing home can bring tremendous luck related to wealth, marriage, and having kids.

By applying feng shui principles designed for west-facing houses, you can optimize the flow of auspicious energy. Simple adjustments like determining the accurate facing direction, using more metal and earth tones, and aligning the front door can make a noticeable difference. A thoughtful feng shui approach also balances yin and yang elements to create harmony.

This guide provides tips tailored specifically for west-facing homes and gardens. With small thoughtful changes, you can enhance family togetherness and activate your home’s inherent potent energy. A west-facing house designed with feng shui and Chinese metaphysics in mind will support your goals related to children, relationships, creativity, and abundance.

Determine the Accurate Facing Direction

When determining the facing direction for feng shui purposes, focus on the most active and frequently used side of the house, not necessarily the front door side. The front door direction may not align with the true compass orientation of the house.

Carefully observe how your home’s layout channels activity and energy flow. The side of the house where residents and guests naturally gather or enter most often can be considered the main orientation. Stand outside your home and notice which side draws your focus or leads invitingly to the entrance.

For example, if the supposed front door faces west but the driveway leads to a side entrance that sees more foot traffic, use that active side to determine your home’s practical facing direction. Also consider which side receives the most sunlight and warmth or contains the biggest windows. The feng shui adjustments you make will be more effective when based on the home’s true orientation.

Consult a compass to verify the exact degrees and adjust any bagua maps or feng shui formulas accordingly. Making this important distinction will help activate the intended auspicious energies. Focus on the area that functions as the main focal point rather than rigidly adhering to compass directions or a predetermined front and back.

Activate the Metal Element at the Front Door

In feng shui, the front door is considered the “mouth of chi” – it is the main entrance for energy to flow into the home. For a west-facing house, it is auspicious to activate the metal feng shui element at the front door. The metal element represents prosperity, nurture and children. Having strong metal energy coming into the home will help attract wealth and abundance.

There are a few ways to activate the metal element at the front entrance:

Install a solid metal front door. Opt for steel or other metals like brass or bronze. The material and color of the door should align with the metal element.
Use metal frames, handles, knockers and other decorative hardware on the front door. These metal ornamental touches stimulate the metal energy.
Place metal symbols or objects around the door. Metal wind chimes, bells and plaques depicting metal are ideal. Spheres and circles representing the circular movement of metal are also good feng shui.
Incorporate metal colors like white, gray, gold, silver or copper around the front entrance and door. These colors activate and enhance the metal energy.
Use metal elements in the landscaping and exterior around the front door to strengthen the metal chi entering the home. Metal garden ornaments, gravel or pebbles, metal fencing or furnishings near the entrance are all good enhancements.

Activating the natural metal energy at the front door of a west-facing home harmonizes with the energies from this direction. It sets up the proper feng shui so prosperity and abundance can flourish within the home.

Use Metal and Earth Tones for Color

When decorating a west-facing house, it’s important to activate the Metal feng shui element by using colors associated with metal and earth. Good color choices include:

Whites, grays, silvers – These metallic colors represent the Metal element directly and are very suitable for a west-facing house. Different shades of white, gray and silver can be used throughout the home. Try a pale silver-gray for the living room or a bright polished silver accent wall.
Bronzes and brasses – These warm metallic earth tones provide stability and balance. Use bronze fixtures or add brass accents on tables. A dark antiqued bronze color on the front door is both protective and auspicious.
Earth tones – Colors like ochre, terra cotta, sand and rich brown connect to the Earth element. Use an earthy light brown paint color for dining rooms to promote family togetherness. Add terra cotta pots at the entrance to ground the energy.

In general, aim for a mixture of light airy metallics and deeper earth colors. Keep wall colors neutral and add pops of color through metal and earth accents. Follow the balance of yin and yang – not too much of one type of color. The goal is to activate the Metal element inherent in a west-facing house.

Enhance with Metal Shapes and Textures

Bringing in shapes and textures that represent the metal element is an excellent way to strengthen the feng shui of a west-facing house. Circular shapes are most auspicious as they echo the contained, endless energy of metal.

Some excellent examples include:

Round mirrors
Spherical door knobs
Circular welcome mats
Metal wreaths in circular designs
Curved metal handrails on stairs
Orb shaped light fixtures
Round flower pots or planters

Fabrics and textiles are another opportunity to enhance a west-facing home’s feng shui. Opt for earthy tones like ochre, beige, tan, light brown, or terracotta. Metallic sheens in gold, silver, bronze and copper are also fortuitous.

Incorporate these colors and textures through:

Throw pillows
Table runners
Area rugs
Curtains
Upholstered furniture
Lamp shades
Blankets

By thoughtfully using shapes, textures and colors to reflect the metal element, you can strengthen the feng shui of a west-facing home. This activates energy for abundance, prosperity and many children.

Align the Front Door to Face the Wealth Direction

In Feng Shui, it’s important to determine your Kua number and align your front door to face one of your lucky directions. Your Kua number is calculated based on your birth year, and indicates which directions will be auspicious for you.

To determine your Kua number:

Take the last two digits of your birth year.
If the number is 11 or greater, subtract 11. If the number is 10 or less, add the digits together. The result is your Kua number, either 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, or 9.

Each Kua number is associated with four lucky directions, separated into wealth, fame, relationships, and health. For a west-facing house, we want to align the front door to face your wealth direction.

Here are the directions associated with each Kua number:

Kua 1 (east group): southeast, east, north, south
Kua 2 (west group): northwest, west, southwest, northeast
Kua 3 (east group): southeast, south, northeast, north
Kua 4 (west group): northwest, southwest, east, west
Kua 6 (west group): northwest, south, southwest, northeast
Kua 7 (east group): southeast, north, east, southwest
Kua 8 (west group): northwest, south, west, northeast
Kua 9 (east group): east, south, southeast, north

Once you’ve determined your Kua number, take the associated wealth direction and aim to have your front door directly face that direction. This channels positive energy and luck into your home. If structural constraints prevent you from perfectly aligning the door, get as close as possible. Even just angling the door slightly can make a difference.

Properly aligning your front door is one of the most important Feng Shui enhancements for inviting wealth and prosperity into a west-facing home or building. Determine your Kua number and lucky directions to take full advantage of this powerful adjustment.

Minimize Negative Energy Rooms

In Feng Shui, certain rooms like bathrooms, closets, and laundry rooms can accumulate and foster negative energy. These types of spaces are considered ‘yin’ spaces that can drain your overall home’s positive ‘yang’ energy if not placed properly.

For a west-facing house using Feng Shui principles, it’s best to locate these rooms on the south, east, or north sides of the home. The south is associated with the fire element which can counteract negative energy, while the east connects to the wood element which promotes vitality. The north side resonates with the water element which can ‘wash away’ stagnant energy.

Avoid placing bathrooms, closets, and laundry rooms directly across from or located behind the front door. These spaces situated in the front of the home or facing the front door can allow negative energy to accumulate directly in the path of positive chi entering your home.

Instead, place these rooms tucked away on the sides or backs of the home. Bathrooms and laundry rooms are also better located on the second floor rather than the first if possible. This allows the lower level to maintain open, flowing energy.

Strategically locating bathrooms, closets, laundry areas, and other yin spaces minimizes opportunities for negative energy to accumulate in your west-facing home. This allows the front entry and living spaces to flourish with fresh, vibrant qi energy circulating throughout.

Balance Yin and Yang Energies

In Feng Shui, yin and yang represent opposite but complementary energies that need to be kept in balance. A west-facing house tends to have an abundance of yang energy, associated with qualities like action, heat, and excitement. It is important to balance this with yin energy, connected to receptivity, coolness, and calm.

There are several tips for harmonizing yin and yang in a west-facing home:

Incorporate rounded shapes and curved lines to soften the angular quality of a west-facing orientation. Circles, ovals, wavy patterns, etc. all represent yin.
Use materials like fabric, carpet, and upholstery to create a softer, more nourishing feel. These are yin textures.
Display images of water like rivers, lakes, or oceans. Moving water represents yin. Place items like a tabletop fountain in the western corner rooms.
Add plants, especially those with rounded leaves. Living things are more yin in nature.
Use colors like blue, green and purple which are linked to yin. But don’t overdo it.
Hang wind chimes which create yin-style gentle, soothing sounds.
Showcase yin-connected items like crystals, seashells, ceramic vases, etc.

The goal is to keep a good balance so the energy in a west-facing house does not become too frenetic, heated, or aggressive. Paying attention to yin elements creates much needed tranquility.

Additional Tips for a West-Facing House

A west-facing house has the advantage of receiving abundant afternoon sunlight. Take advantage of this sunlight by having more windows on the west side to let in natural light and warmth. Consider adding a sunroom or solarium to the west side of the home.

When decorating a west-facing home, opt for lighter and brighter colors and decor. The afternoon sunlight will highlight these colors beautifully. Pastel shades of blue, green, yellow and peach work well. Use lighter woods when choosing furniture.

Make sure the landscaping near the west side of the home provides ample shade in the late afternoon. Plant trees like maple, elm and oak to block some of the harsh late day sun. Tall shrubs and vines can also provide cooling shade.

A water feature like a fountain or pond placed on the west side of the home can help balance the strong fire energy that comes with western sunlight. The soothing sound of moving water is perfect for the evening hours.

Take care not to overheat or dry out the west side rooms in summer. Use curtains, blinds and shutters to control heat gain. Keep west-facing rooms well ventilated with fresh air. Avoid using red and orange decor in these rooms as it can amplify heat.

Overall, think light, bright and airy for a west-facing home. Bring in cooling yin energy to balance the fiery yang energy from the western sun. Take measures to prevent overheating while still welcoming the abundant auspicious afternoon light.

Conclusion

A west-facing house provides auspicious energy according to feng shui principles. By determining the accurate facing direction, activating the metal element at the front door, using metal and earth tones, enhancing with metal shapes and textures, aligning the front door with the wealth direction, minimizing negative energy rooms, and maintaining balance between yin and yang energies, you can optimize the feng shui of your west-facing home.

The most important steps are activating the metal element, using the appropriate colors, and facing the front door towards the best direction based on your Kua number. This allows positive chi energy to flow in and enhances fortune for wealth and family. Careful attention should also be paid to minimizing negative energy spaces like bathrooms and laundry rooms.

With the proper feng shui enhancements and alignment, a west-facing home can become a wonderful space for prosperity and abundance. The thought and care put into optimizing the feng shui will pay dividends for the health, wealth, and happiness of the occupants.