I recently worked with a woman who was setting up her office and really, really wanted to place her desk so it was facing the window.
She loved the beautiful view and figured it might help her relax during her workday.
But in fact exactly the opposite is true – she’s more likely to wonder what’s going on behind her and feel less relaxed and focused.
When your desk faces a window your personal Chi energy and dedicated attention flow right outside instead of into your work.
Even worse from a Feng Shui perspective a desk facing the window causes you to miss out on important business opportunities.
By turning your back to the door you never know when good business Chi might want to come in.
In some cases a window view is more absorbing and interesting than the work at hand, adding to the challenge of getting work done and goals accomplished.
Your work may also be harder to focus on because your desktop and computer are backlit by the light from the window; I often see the shades closed in office situations like this just to shut out the light.
If this is the case for you, create good business & financial Chi energy by turning your desk around to face the room in the Command Position.
By putting you in the “power spot” where you have the greatest visual control of your space, the Command Position puts you in charge of your life and your business.
The Command Position helps you welcome the opportunities coming through your door, rather than turning your back on them.
Facing away from the window gives you an important additional advantage: the natural light coming in over your shoulder illuminates your work and reduces eyestrain from a back-lit computer monitor.
Check out my article about what to do if your desk is facing a wall, another Feng Shui no-no if you can possibly avoid it.
(Photo credit: flickr)
Thank you
Thank you very much!
I disagree with this article. I testing this out, putting my desk in a room and did not face a window, and I positioned it according to feng shui principles. I had the worst business year in the past 3 years.
This year I’ve positioned my desk next to a window AND facing a window. So I”m in a corner with two windows and I love the view and I’m able to more easily melt into my work flow and bust out hours and hours of research, planning, and execution of work.
I’m much more super charged now that I’m facing windows with beautiful views. As for protecting my back, I have a security camera and mini screen in front of me so I can always see what is behind me, and what is in the front of my house and long driveway.
Hi Terence,
Thanks for taking the time to respond to this post. I’m glad you’ve found that changing the position of your desk has been helpful to you and your business success. Feng Shui is all about creating success in every part of your life — it sounds to me as though you’ve created a good setup that takes care of important issues like Chi energy flow, safety and security. In Feng Shui we say, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” so I would say you’re on a good track. Best of luck to you!
My back is also to the door, and faces a window, I had it rearranged this way because I have a structural pole right in the center of my very small office. The way they had it, made me hit this pole all the time, it was horrible. I still hit the pole, but at least I can look outside, but I have to admit I don’t really like it. Wish I could purchase my own desk, but am afraid that if I do, the other employees will think that I am better or something. I am happy I have a job though =) – lol.
Thanks for checking in about this Cheryl. The office setup sounds pretty bad! Perhaps you can place a mirror to see the door that will also help to minimize the pole. Also I would think that the other employees might well understand your need for a different kind of desk since the setup is so challenging. Good luck!
I have a really small bedroom, and I’m still a teen who lives with her parents so my desk has to be in my room. I have no room to place my desk to face my room, so I want to put it in front of my window. I think it will really help when creating art work, but how will it affect my academics? It’s almost summer break so it might not be a huge problem but how can I improve the feng shui since I have no choice but put my desk in from of a window? Thanks in advance.
Hi Kelly,
This is a great question. For good Feng Shui, hang curtains on your window that you can close at night and also during the daytime when it’s time to concentrate. Creating a more focused environment reduces distractions and will help you to study. I’d also suggest covering up your desk and books at night when it’s time for sleep to help you relax and get as much rest as you need for all your activities. Good luck!
Exactly my question (small bedroom with window part). Glad I read the comments.
Thanks Ivan, I’m so glad you found the answer you were looking for. Here’s to good Chi!
Hello- I live in a beautifully Brooklyn Brownstone 3rd floor apartment that I need to function as a living room and home office. One wall in brick exposed wall with fire place, Front wall has two windows. Third wall faces the brick exposed/fire place. “Fourth” wall in the entrance/exit which is to the left of the brick exposed wall and third wall. Should the desk face the brick exposed wall and couch sit between the two windows to the right of the desk?
Hello Wendy,
I suggest giving your idea a try and seeing how it feels to you, to live and work in the space. Without seeing the space it’s hard for me to give you a more substantial suggestion, so let me know if you’d like to schedule a phone consultation if your first arrangement doesn’t work out. Good luck!
Hi Ann, Any suggestions for an office with a fireplace? The idea feng shui position, desk facing the door, would have my husband’s back to the fireplace. I thought it would “heat up his business.” The other option is one solid wall, fireplace would then be to the right of desk, but view would be windows and door to the left. Not the ideal position, but at least it’s a solid wall behind him, I feel like the fireplace behind him might be wrong. Thank you!
Yes, Tracy, you are right, his Chi energy could go right up the chimney behind him which would not be good. Do what you can to design the office with his desk in the Command Position and the fireplace off to one side. Good luck!
My apt has my desktop /chair Facing the blinds and my door is along the same wall .I was told to turn my computer with my back facing the window…. so it wouldn’t be facing the door….help me out please.
PS.I live in a 1 bedroom and that’s where everything is, so I will be looking at the kitchen
Hello Scott,
This is a very specific question; I would suggest reading my articles about the command position, desks and Feng Shui to settle it. If you wish to send a drawing/photo and get my specific recommendations, please use my Ask Ann page to send me the question and material.
Thank you and here’s to good Chi!
Hello,
I wonder if you could help.
I’m a writer in a home office (which I share with my partner when he’s home from his 9-5 job). I use the desk a lot during the day — or I want to, but find myself on the couch/dining table more often! Currently the desk has a window at its southeast (bagua-wise, not compass), so I can look out of it but my chair directly faces a wall (which I have small curio shelves on). The window faces a walkway for the apartment complex, and a pond with a fountain in it. The door to the room is behind me and to the right (perpendicular to the window- someone would cross behind me entering the room). If I take the ‘command position’ (without entirely rearranging many heavy bookshelves, my partner’s computer and his large dresser), I’m now facing a vanity mirror far across the room, with the entrance to the door, to the bathroom, and to the bathroom closet all clustered around it (this is supposed to be the ‘master bedroom’ of the apartment). In the mirror I can see the outside through the window’s reflection. The window is behind me to my right (my whole back is to a wall, barely), and a corner and wall is to my left. Door is to my front left. Is this better than before? I’m looking for creativity, concentration, and success in publishing (not money-wise, I’m a poet….). I can’t really figure out how to get the activity to my left — every configuration has the window with its light, noise, water feature to my right, unless I’m facing it, and then my back is to a large room and door. Which is better? I hope I’ve explained this well enough for a bit of advice, and thanks for your great articles!
Hello Leah,
Thank you for writing. This is a very specific question; I would suggest reading my articles about Feng Shui for offices to settle your question about your desk location. If you wish to send a drawing and get my specific recommendations, please use my Ask Ann page to send me the question and material.
Thank you and here’s to good Chi!
I have an odd set-up in my apartment room: A door from the common living area opens into my bedroom, which starts as a narrow hallway. Directly to the right when you first enter is a private bathroom. As you move down the hallway past the bathroom, there is triangular wedge of space (about 2′ x 3′) that kind of widens the hallway before it opens up into the large rectangle of my room.
On the other side of the room, directly across from that entrance, is another door that leads to a private backyard. Next to that door, is a window that takes up the rest of that wall.
I’ve been thinking about putting a narrow fold-down desk on the 2′ wall in the triangular wedge and sitting with my back against the other wall of the wedge. I would face large rectangular area of my room, the window, and the door to my backyard; however, my entrance would be invisible. I could put my desk against the window but then all of my room is behind me. I don’t really feel comfortable placing desk long ways between the two door because it seems like I’d be right in between a strong flow of energy from door to door.
Do you have any suggestions?
Hello Mikayla,
Thank you for writing. This is a very specific question; I would suggest reading my articles about Feng Shui for offices to settle your question about your desk location. If you wish to send a drawing and get my specific recommendations, please use my Ask Ann page to send me the question and material.
Thank you and here’s to good Chi!
I have two solid wall facing east and West. I have a North window wall and a South wall with a door and closet. Where should I put my desk?
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for writing. I would need to see your floorplan and a map of your neighborhood in order to give you a good answer to this question. Please use my Ask Ann page to send along this material if you would like. Here’s to good Chi!
Hi,
My work bay falls in a line between fire exit on left and window on right. My station is the first one in the bay and a pillar blocks the view of the window from right. I fact North while working. Ever since I shifted here I feel nothing is going right.pls suggest
Hello Smriti,
I would need to see photos and a floor plan in order to advise you about this. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a mini-consultation.
Hi… Looking for advice on desk placement. Currently my desk faces a window with my back to the door. I face north. I realize that is not the command position. But my Kua # is 4 and North is supposed to me lucky for me for career. But I seem stuck. Because of the shape of my desk, I am limited to options. I can flip it so I face south (and the door) which is supposed to be another good direction for me, but then half of what is behind me is window (some wall). I also have a third option to face the door closer to the entrance and face east with a solid wall behind me, but in the direct path of the door. Which is the most ideal? Thanks for any advice!
Hello Diana, it sounds to me as though the best solution is option #2, facing south and the door. Cover the bottom half of the window to give yourself a more solid backing; a translucent curtain will do, as long as you feel safe in that position.
Hello, Please help. I have a home office with one wall that is 90% taken with Bay windows…another wall is mostly taken up with French doors that look out across my foyer to my husbands office. The other 2 walls are solid. I can’t decide where to put the desk. Right now I have my desk set in the center of the room facing the French doors with the Bay Windows to my left. Is this the optimal position?
Hello Yaya,
It is best to position your desk where you have solid walls to your back, and have the greatest possible view of the room and especially the entryway. This puts you in the Power Position in the room.
My office room is long and rectangular in shape with a big pillar centred at one end. There are windows all along one length overlooking into a bright atrium space and windows on the opposite side facing the common office area. There are also 2 doors, one in the middle and one at opposite end of the pillar. Should I position my desk at one end of the room facing the big pillar or at the other end with the pillar behind my back? Thank you in advance for any advise
Cara
Cara,
It’s very hard for me to give you a well-considered opinion about this without seeing the floorplan and a few photos of the particulars of your office. I suggest trying to sit at both ends, and seeing which one feels more comfortable, secure and powerful. This feeling equates to good Feng Shui. You don’t have to move your desk to do this, simply place your chair at one end and then the other, and see how you feel.
I have a factory whose main door faces N2.
Strange thing I noticed is during rainy season my business starts flowing but gets halt after that. I think there is some connection of water element. Some one told there might be lots of heat energy from opposite factory and thus rain water would stabilise the energy. Please suggest which side should I place water element?
Hello Kunal,
I would be happy to set up a phone consultation to get more details, look at photos and a map of your situation, and give you advice. Please let me know if you would like to do this. Thank you.
I’m glad I came to this site. I’m curious about my desk’s position. My desk is in the open kitchen/ family room layout. Close behind me is a large blank wall. On my left side of the desk, tall thin window, fish tank flushed into the wall, fireplace, and sliding door leading out to backyard in that order. In front of my desk is a sofa that is facing to the kitchen across the room that have a large wall on the left and a small window above the sink. On my right side, a dining area then leading to open arch way into the living room where I can see part of the mountains from the large front window where I’m siting.
Hello Valerie,
I will be happy to answer this question; please email me via my Ask Ann page and attach a drawing or photo of the setup so that I can give you the best possible Feng Shui advice.
What is good for YOGA class?
I have amazing natural light and huge windows.. should the students face the window or should it be to their side?
I started with them facing the windows but turned the class, now I regret it because I wonder if having them face a wall is stopping the energy flow…
any thoughts would be greatly appreciated
Best Regards
Brit
Hello Brittany,
The first consideration in a classroom is that the teacher/leader be “in Command” with a clear view of the entryway and of the students themselves. Once that is established, see how the class goes with the students facing in different directions. If you feel that their Chi energy is stuck when they face in one particular direction, then it probably IS stuck, and you can proceed accordingly.
This is all good and well. But at the moment I just can’t change the position of my desk. It wraps around the corner of my room with the window. I would have to buy a new desk ($$$) and change the position of my book shelves, possibly getting rid of a few ($$$). Is there anything I can do to prevent the flow of energy out of the room? (e.g. put quartz on the window ledge?–I don’t know I’m just asking).
Thank you very much for this article. I have always had my desk face the window and have always had a hard time concentrating even with the shades down!
Hello Dmitry,
I suggest placing something (a plant, perhaps? Or a lamp?) between you and the window to cut down on distractions. Also, work purposefully towards turning your desk into the Command Position as soon as you can!
Thank you!
I used to work in my living room facing a west window and facing the door off to you side, I had great success at the time. I needed to move office into my bedroom so I could close a door when family are home. Had my deck directly in front of window, again West facing, bedroom door directly at my back, still had great success. Moved bedroom around about year & half ago, turned desk towards wall facing south, door is to left of me, Business has all but halted in the last year. Because this is also my bedroom, it really isn’t possible to have the desk facing in command position, space wise that doesn’t work. I think I need to move the desk back facing the west window even though the door is also to my back, it seems this was where I had the best groove. What do you think about this?
Hello Janessa,
I’d be happy to help you out; please use my Ask Ann page to send me your photos and ask your question. I look forward to hearing from you.