Feng Shui~Perfect Porches & Patios

Outdoor rooms are such a lovely escape and asset for any home! I lived in Portola Valley, California, on a mountain for the first year of my marriage and we dined by candlelight most evenings on our deck overlooking the San Francisco skyline. Hummingbirds were among the regulars seeking nectar from our potted petunias in an array of floral bloom.

Our east coast home has a porch which I enjoy, especially on a cool evening in the summer, but I miss that view from my mountain home! My friend, Meg, lives in Calabasas, California and says her family enjoys their outdoor room year-round. They recently renovated their patio with Dublin sandstone pavers, new furnishings, and plantings. The space provides a perfect enclave for family, friends, and their rescue-dog, Barney.

Outdoor rooms can be as simple as a chaise and potted plant and as elaborate as a deck with a built-in lounge, natural rock, water flowing from water terraces and an infinity pond. Outdoor room expert and internationally renowned landscaped designer, Jamie Durie, entices us with his vision and passion for creating the most gorgeous, and environmentally friendly designs. Visit his website at www.jamiedurie.com for more inspiration on planning your Outdoor Room!

On a recent feng shui consultation, my client asked if we include the porch in the bagua (the energy map that we lay over your floor plan and property site). Here's the simple rule of thumb: any part of the house that shares a roof is included. If a covered patio shares a roof with the house, it is included. Gazebos and patios that are not attached to the house would be included in the overall bagua for the property.

For example, a gazebo might be in the Relationship area of the property but would not be included in the bagua for the house. Enhancements for a gazebo in Relationships would be anything in pairs~two rockers or Adirondack chairs, for example, the colors red, white & pink, flowers, statues and sculptures that symbolize love, and candles.

The bagua is oriented from the entrance of your home or property. The entrance to your property, usually a driveway, is treated in the same way as the front door of the home and is known as "the mouth of chi" where the energy enters.

Many covered porches extend across the front of the house in the areas of Knowledge & Meditation, Career and Helpful People & Travel. A wrap-around porch would be included in several areas of the bagua. Feng shui enhancements are just as necessary for placement and decor for porch and patio areas as they are for interior spaces. If the porch or covered patio extends out from the house it may be considered an enhancement of a particular area of the bagua~Wealth if it is in the far left corner of the home. A water feature like a fountain would be a perfect enhancement in this area and accents in colors of deep purple or green.