Case Study: Is it inauspicious for the dining table to face the main entrance door?

[Cecil Lee]

This tip can be classified under Common sense Approach to Feng Shui

Question: Is it auspicious to place the dinning table facing the main entrance door?

Often, in many homes (Singapore); and most likely in many other homes all over the world; many of us would place food / bread and other food stuffs and even fork, knife etc.. on the dining table.

Take an example of a family of 5 (Husband, wife, 3 children) . The wife (usually the homemaker) would often prepare the food and in a small home, place food on the dinning table.

The three children may most likely come home earlier. And the spouse and children may have their dinner earlier. The husband, who works over-time may come back later. (To eat the `left-over' food on the dinning table.
Here, the idea is that if we choose to leave our door open, and if we live in an apartment, neighbours passing thru the common corridor could get to see food on our dinning table.

Alternatively, if the dinning table is always cluttered with food, drinks etc... and since first impression counts; it would be best to keep the dinning table away from main entrance (view).
Another inauspicious symbolic thing is not to have things like fork and knifes facing the main door.
Next time, if someone ask you this same question: Is it auspicious to place the dinning table facing the main door... you can now better explain it:)
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

 

 

[Starz]

Hi Master Cecil, my dining table is facing the main door, and there is no other area to place the dining table. Can you please advise if I could put anything or build anything to prevent the inauspicious feng shui?

Much appreciate.

Starz

[Cecil Lee]

Frankly, this has first and foremost to do with common sense. And common sense led to taboos.

The idea is that when we first enter any home, the first impression counts. Thus, if the dining table is the first thing that we see:

1. What happens if the dinning table is such a mess?

2. What happens if the family has a sumptous meal and if the main door is ajar; neighbours and others can peer into our privacy.

It is because of these two major "concerns" that lead to it becoming inauspicious Feng Shui.

If the dining table does face the main door; make sure that the dining table is reasonably neat and tidy.

If one still feels uncomfortable; see whether the dining table can be relocated elsewhere. Or place a partition of sorts...

 

 

[Abi]

Dear Master Cecil Our main door is Northwest and facing our dining table. I cannot move the dining table because next to it will be the hallway. I’m planning to customise a divider. Pls see attachment. But divider wil be this big H180cm W150cm D40cm. The width Im looking at is 150cm because my table is 1.4 so to cover it i need 150cm divider. My divider will be a bit number 8 shape as i want everything round shape so no sharp edges.pls advise if u can recommend a sample of divider. The main door is Northwest am thinking round shape will be ok? Thanks a lot! Am so excited for your reply.

[Cecil Lee]

In my opinon, these are some considerations:

1. In a condo environment, majority often close their main door when not in use. And especially newer condos; there are less residents leaving their main door ajar.

2. I believe in this example; the main concern is the main door opening towards a dining table.

2.1. Frankly this has more to do with a stigma than Feng Shui.

2.2. For example, where the main door is opened during consumption of food e.g. dining; and if people walk past.. they could see the family eating their meals. More to do with privacy concerns. Thus this is what lead mostly to the grandmother tale or stigma that one should have a partition between the main door and the dining table.

2.3. However, the main concern is that the main door should not open directly towards the living room windows or balcony. Even so, closing the window or panel or the use of curtains is one consideration.

2.3. The other consideration has more to do with common sense. Where "first impression counts". Thus when one opens the main door and the first time one sees is the dining table. Some dining tables are really messy... then a partition is considered "good".

3. In fact, based on this layout the glass panel of the kitchen is even not facing the door. Thus the internal organs of the kitchen is not seen such as the sink / drying of forks/spoons / scissors / knifes are not seen. So what is the problem, here?

4. Please see illustration, below:-

4.1 Under Symbolism in Feng Shui, the proposed partition is exactly in the middle and the "blade" of the partition is like a knife spliting the living room in half.

4.2 Ideally even if one wants to install a partition, waist high and above should preferably not be air-tight. Although from the sofa, it seems that one has a view of the main door.

4.3. The non-air-tight partition is to allow someone at the dining table to have situational awarness of the main door entrance area. For example, a family member may be talking to someone at the main door or aware that someone is trying to meddle with the main door lock etc...

 

[Abi]

Thank you Master Cecil for taking time to answer my question! 

[Cecil Lee]

What degree is FREE?

[Cecil Lee]

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[Cecil Lee]

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[Cecil Lee]

Case Study: Nowadays many condominium and Executive condo units are pretty small.
Thus really no choice in the placement of a dining table.

 

1. Even if the dining table is placed at marking in black "A"; standing at the main door can still see the dining table.

2. Therefore, no choice but to live with it. (Understand some younger generation may even install folder tables as found in some Space saving idea sites. But it is a hassle to bring up and down (close) the table.

3. Under Habit 12 - No point becoming a "Head-banger".

 

[Cecil Lee]

I had written a book to show case many concepts in Feng Shui has more to do with Common sense than anything else. LOL