The main entrance to your home is the first thing you see when you arrive home, and the last thing you see when you leave to face the world. It's the first impression your visitors have about you. What does feng shui say about arranging your main entrance?

The area around the door should be clean and well maintained. Are there flowers on the way up the stairs? Are they all dead and dying? Or are they fresh and vibrant? Is the front stoop area swept and welcoming, or is it grungy and unappealing? Welcome mats can be an inexpensive way to add warmth and color to your main entrance area.

The area should be well lit. This helps ensure you can go in and out of the door in full safety.

You want the door itself to be strong, sturdy, clean, and protective looking. This is the gateway to your home and all you hold near. It doesn't need to look like a bank vault! But it should be wiped clean of mold and dirt. You want a warm, welcoming, but also protective feel to that door.

Avoid having mirrors that face the front door. You want visitors to see the house itself, not a reflection of themselves. If you want a mirror near the front door so you can do a last minute "face check" before you leave to face the world, put it to the side of the door.

Other changes might take some serious home renovations to tackle. You would not want your front door to open right into a bathroom. That's not a positive image to present to guests. You also wouldn't want it to open right into a windowed area, since now the person is looking back outside and not at your home. If you do already have these issues, find ways to mask them as best you can. Windows can have curtains, and toilet doors can stay shut.

Think of what is immediately around your front door, as you head out of it. What type of impression does it give? Is it a positive one, that makes you think warm thoughts about the house you're about to leave?

The more you can optimize the front entrance area, the more these feelings will linger with you as you come in and out of your home!