When you set up an office in your home or at work, your most important Feng Shui consideration is the placement of your desk.
Just as your bed is the most important piece of furniture in your home, Feng Shui considers the placement of your desk to be critical to your business and financial success.
If at all possible, place your desk in the Command Position.
The Command Position is located diagonally across from the entry to the room, with your back to a solid wall and giving you the widest possible view of the room.
Positions #1, #2 or #3 all give you the best visual control. Ideally you can see all of the room’s doors and windows when you sit in the Command Position.
Visual control over your space gives you a much greater degree of true control over your work life. How often have you seen top executives sitting with their backs to the doors of their offices?
A correctly-placed desk
- Puts you in charge of your business life;
- Allows you to identify & invite in new business opportunities;
- Puts you at ease as you work;
- Places you in either the Wealth or Business Relationship Bagua sector of your office;
- Prevents your thoughts and business Chi from floating out the window toward a distant view; and
- Helps you avoid feeling confronted or creatively blocked by a solid wall in front of you.
If you’re accustomed to facing a wall or a window as you work, give the Command Position a try for just one week to see all the benefits this simple Feng Shui principle can bring into your business life.
Oh dear – I work from home running my own business. My desk half faces a wall and half faces a large window (it is an L shaped desk). The door to the room is behind me. I can’t see how I can change this due to the size/shape of the room and the other furniture. Is there anything I can do to negate this problem other than moving everything?
Alison, thanks for writing. My desk in my home office also faces a wall so I know whereof you speak. If you can’t turn things around by separating the arms of the “L” and using one arm in the Command Position, place a mirror on or near the desk to reflect activity behind you. Here’s a link to a previous post about this: https://openspacesfengshui.com/feng-shui-tips/2010/02/feng-shui-office-command-position/ Good luck!
Hi Alison, thanks for your question. All is not lost! Please check out my articles on this topic under the Command Position tag in my blog.
Hi Kimi,
Yes, your Feng Shui instincts are excellent — I would definitely suggest placing a mountain behind you to place something between you and the window panes. One of my favorite additional adjustments in cases like this is to hang a protective textile over the back of your chair. Use something that has dark, grounding earth tones like golden brown; it will make you feel more secure immediately.
Hi,
At work where I sit I have a window behind my desk.. There isn’t a tall building behind me and I cant keep a rack to hide the window…. How do I fix this issue…. As my office space is such as thats that only position to keep my desk..
Hello Shreya,
Can you hang a sheer curtain over the bottom part of your office window? That would be best for retaining Chi energy in your office. Also hang a beautiful textile such as a shawl on the back of your chair to protect your energy from behind. Please let me know if either or both of these solutions work for you. Here’s to good Chi!
hi this is sunny, i have a big window at my back in my office. i have a cubicle which faces the isle. the window is covered with curtain sheet that is operated with a lanyard. please advice if that is ok.
Hello Sunny,
I would need to see a photo in order to give you a good answer about this. Please send via my Ask Ann page.
Dear Ann,
My current office desk is at the left of my door entrance and my back is facing the window.
I am planing to change the sitting position to:
1. Move my desk face the wall and my
back face the wall.
2. The window will be on my right
3. The door entrance will be on my left.
Hope you can give me your kind advice.
Thanks
Best regards
Francis Ong – Malaysia
Hello Francis,
This question requires me to see your floor plan so that I can advise you correctly. Please send me your office floor plan and use the form on my Ask Ann page (https://openspacesfengshui.com/ask-ann/) to submit payment, in order to create a balanced Feng Shui energy exchange. Thank you!
Dear Ann,
Recently I place a water fountain at my car porch where is on the right of my main door entrance facing Sourtheast.
I not sure whether the water fountain is correctly placing according to Feng Shui guide.
Wish you could give me your professional advice.
Thanks
Best regards
Francis Ong – Malaysia
Thank you for your question, Francis. According to Form School/Three Gate Feng Shui, which is the school of Feng Shui I practice, this is exactly the correct position for your fountain. Water energy is always good right next to your front door, as it helps the Chi flow of energy and opportunities into your space and your life.
My desk at work faces the door and I have a solid wall behind me but my desk has a high counter attached to it that customers approach when they enter . So it blocks my view unless I stand up . Does this effect my chi in a positiv or negative way ?
Hi Daylyn,
This is not ideal and is likely to have a negative impact on you, as I’m sure you suspect. I suggest placing a mirror, even a small one, in a position that allows you to see customers as they approach and come through the door. Best — Ann
Hi Can anyone help my office has 2 doorways and my back is to the window what fengshui cures can I use to fix this. I cannot go against a wall otherwise I can not see both doors. Currently I have my back to the window and can view both entrance ways but cannot settle
Jackie, I’m sure there is a fix but I would need to see a floor plan in order to help you. Please let me know if you’d like to set up a long-distance consultation.
My office is a square. As you enter through the door which is on the left should I place my desk across facing the door or can I place the desk in the corner on the right as you enter but facing the entrance with my back to the corner.
Thanks
Hi Diana,
It sounds like you will be in the Command Position with your desk in the back right-hand corner. The most reliable way to figure this out is to stand or sit in the two different places you suggest, and see which one makes you feel safer and more in control.
Thanks for writing.
my office desk back is the server room.
is that bad for fengshui?
Rita, it is not ideal because of all the electromagnetic energy that may be affecting you. I would suggest finding a way to block that energy from behind you, or moving offices as soon as you can.
Ann
i want to feng shui my husbands office and he loves duke basketball team so he had yhe painter paint one wall darker blue and the other three walls a sky blue. In terms of colors, are those colors that will work or do i need to chamge them. And since they seem to me like a water element then do i need a fountain in his office?
Dipal, this may work out fine but instead of adding more Water, you’ll want to balance it out with Earth and Wood. It’s always important to have all Five Elements in a space, and especially when one element dominates as in this case. Good luck and Go Duke!
My office is small and narrow. The door is in the middle and there is not enough space to have the desk in a corner of the room without it still being directly across the door. It has no windows as well. It is the first door one sees as soon as they enter the building. Any remedies? I appreciate it!
Hi Caroline,
Good question. Whatever you can do to get yourself out of the direct line of energy coming in through the building door will be a positive thing. For instance, place an item on your desk — such as a large lamp or a plant — that protects and “hides” you from this incoming energy while still allowing you to see people coming and going.
Good luck!
I am setting up a homebased business making and selling candles I will be selling online what object placement and room object placement will be good for business eg get plenty of customers, my desk is in the relationship area of the living room with a large mirror on the wall my back is to the door.
Hello Angel,
I will need a lot more information to help you with your home-based business. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a long-distance consultation. All the best – Ann
My office table is facing the window and at the same facing the door ( door is on the left side
Please help to coorect for me to gain more business as I feel hard to manage the on going transaction
Merlita, for better Feng Shui and more business focus, do what you can to reduce the distractions of the window. One suggestion would be to install a curtain that allows light to come in but blocks your view. Keep your desk facing the door as much as possible to stay in command of your business and welcome new business opportunities.
Thanks for these informative posts. I have a choice to make between two tiny multi-person offices whose setup cannot be changed: a) windowless, and large closed bookshelf hangs above the desk; or b) desks face a huge window. In a), the door is to the side as one sits at the desk; in b), on sits with back to the door. I think a) is better, but the windowless factor is somehow off-putting. What would you suggest?
Hello Aaron,
Without knowing the whole situation, it sounds to me like b) is the better option as it has a window and no overhanging bookshelf. In the windowed office you can block the bottom part of the window with a shade or curtain, and see what’s going on behind you by placing a mirror on the desk.
If you wish to send a drawing and get more specific recommendations, please use my Ask Ann page to send me the question and material.
Thank you and here’s to good Chi!
Hi can I please get some help I have a very small place and need a desk in the living area
As you walk in there’s a wall running along the south then the west then the both is glass doors to a balcony then the east wall is small but could fit a desk
I don’t know where to put the desk to get the best prosperity in my business
Hello Amy,
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!
Good morning…my business is in the middle of three business stall….what is the best position of my door to make it lucky…left or rigth or middle? Thank you
Hello Ederlize,
I’m sorry not to be able to answer your question without a lot more information. Please let me know if you would like to set up a mini-consultation about the door of your shop.
Hi Ann,
I rent a small room in a condo. Everything I do is in this room. I have a home business as an editor and writer. My desk is in the southeast corner, the only place it can be, and I sit facing a wall next to the window, with my back to the door. I have an oblong mirror I’m thinking of hanging on the wall in front of me to reflect the door behind me. Turning the desk around so I can see the door would be awkward space-wise. And what should I put on the desk? It’s actually a table. Thank you.
Hello Ana,
A mirror to reflect the door behind you is a good idea — it can be a big or small mirror, depending on what you’re the most comfortable with. In my opinion a table as a desk is really good Feng Shui because it is impossible for things to get stuck inside it!
Place on it only what you need for your work on a daily basis, no more and no less. This is an excellent question and I will be writing a blog post about it very soon. Thanks for asking.
I sit behind a reception counter with an eye level counter that I can just see over, it hides any paperwork that I need to do my job etc, I can easily see everyone approaching but I do feel that I am being looked down on or my head seems exposed, what can I do other than to raise the desk surface higher and sit in a higher position?
What is best way to keep safe in the office . Which is right direction . Keeping direction and opening door direction .
Mihi,
The best way to stay safe in your office is by using the Command Position, which means you can see people entering and leaving your office. In this way you take control of your life and your career.
I’m opening a new clinic. My table will be beside or very near a sink, how can I correct it? Thanks!
Hello Nanette,
I would suggest placing a live plant on your desk, on the side that’s nearest to the sink. The Wood energy of the plant will absorb the Water energy coming from the sink.
Oh Dear, I am now at command position no 2, with my right side is half wall ( with drawers ) and half window ( upper side ), how you would say if someone ask me to change to command position no 1 which actually would make me facing the door but the window would be at my back, as I believe the back side would be better a solid wall, how do you think about it?
Hello Sofie,
It is always best to face the door with your back to a solid wall, but if this is impossible hang a shade or curtain over the bottom half of the window to make sure your Chi energy stays contained and safe in your office.
If I place my desk in a command position, I face an unlucky direction. If I turn my desk to my lucky direction, my back will be partially facing the door and also a window. Which is better?
In general the Command Position is always better because it puts you in better control of your situation. If you sense that things are not going so well once you have made this change, however, I definitely urge you to turn your desk in your own personal auspicious direction.
My husband’s desk in his home office has the door entering the office directly in line with the left side of the desk and him as he types on his computer. He cannot move the desk. What feng shui cures can we use to counteract the bad situation. The front of the desk is also up against the wall so he looks right at it.
Hello Sandy,
I would need to see a photo and floor plan in order to give you the best advice on this. Please let me know if you would like to set up a mini-consultation.
Hi, I am a psychotherapist with a small office. What is more important- my desk in the commanding post or my “therapist chair” where I spend the majority of my time?
Thank you
Hello Amy,
The chair where you spend most of your time is most important for Command Position placement. Since your desk is also important, however, place a mirror there to reflect the entry to your office when you are sitting there.
Hi. I am sitting in the command posItion but I have a tall bookshelf behind me and a large window to my right with blinds (slats) that open and close during the day. How do I remedy this? Regards Sue
Hello Sue,
I would need to see pictures and a floor plan in order to give you the best Feng Shui advice about this. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a mini-consultation.
Hi, I am a software professional. Entry door of my work place is facing towards north where as i sit facing west direction. My desk is exactly in front of entry door but a little left to it. And there is no wall back to me because its an open space. can u please suggest me to feng shui my work place.
Hello Swathi,
I would need more information to give you a good answer to this question. Please let me know if you would like to schedule a mini-consultation.
Hi Amy,
I have a choice between two offices at my work. Both are fairly small with large L-shaped desks. Desks are both in command positions.
Office #1: Desk is facing a wall and back against the wall. Window is to my left with a doorway opposite to my command position on the right side. The doorway to my right meets the right end corner of my desk.
Office #2: Desk is facing the doorway at command position and back against the window.
Which one should I take?
Hello Sharon,
I suggest sitting in a chair, in each of the positions you mention, and seeing where you feel most “in charge” of your space. Without seeing the situation, I am imagining that the Command Position/window setup might be best, as you should be able to block the bottom half of the window so that your Chi energy doesn’t flow out the window. But your own sense of safety and power are what count the most.
Hi, in my new shared dorm my desk is in the NE corner however their is a huge window that takes up basically the top half of the whole wall. Is it okay if my back is against the window so it faces the door or should i face it towards my bed so i turn my head right to look at the door and left at the window or should i face it towards the wall so i look left to the door and right to the window. My dorm room isnt the most ideal place for feng shui as it is my head is against a wall but right next to the window so i could look diagonally at the door and have a clear view of the whole room. Please help!
Hello Jazmine,
I would need to see a floorplan to give you the best possible advice. Please let me know if you’d like to set up a mini-consultation as it sounds like a somewhat challenging situation.
Hi Ann,
I wonder if you can help please? I’m redesigning my home office. I will put my desk in the command position with its back to a solid wall. However, I wondered whether it’s ok to put cabinets behind the desk? These would store all my client files, and would have solid non-see through doors.
If it’s ok to do this does the height of the cabinets make a difference? I’m considering some that are around 2 metres high, or alternatively some that are 128cm high (these will reach the top of my head or possibly my forehead when I’m sitting), or alternatively lower ones. All the cabinets will be the same height, whichever I choose, and will go along the length of the wall behind the desk.
Many thanks for your help,
Lara
Hello Lara, Please use the Ask Ann form to ask this question, and include a sketch of your office so that I can visualize the situation more clearly. Thank you.
Hello Ann
I am bit confused about the Bagua direction. I have searched online but got more confused. Hope you can help me. I work in an huge open plan office. We have two wings, North and South. I sit in North wing. Front door of my floor is just on my left side and I am facing it.(although I am in a enclosed cubical so I cant see it). I am facing 260 degree west when I am sitting at my desk. According to compass method, should I align my Bagua map in such a way that West square of the map is at the top? Or should I follow the natural direction of Bagua map which means that South square will be at the top? Thank you for your advise.
Hello Mehul,
It’s very difficult for me to quite understand the layout of your office without seeing a floorplan. Please let me know if you would like to set up a mini-consultation.
Hello Ann
Was wondering if it is ok for us to sit with our back against some cabinets which is closed with solid wood doors.
Thanks.
Hello May,
This sounds fine to me as long as the cabinets stay closed, and the contents are well-organized.
Hi, My office cabin is such that It is in NorthEast side of the office & while seated I face south. I am a general manager for sales. Pl suggest what remedies to apply.
Hello Ravi,
Please use my Ask Ann page to re-submit your question, along with a floor plan. Thank you.
I am working in a bank as Sales and Marketing. My work area is in the Northeast . Entry to my office is North while I’m seated facing West. Is this good?
Hello Dianne,
I practice Form School Feng Shui, not Compass Feng Shui. Please take a look at this article to learn more.
Hello Ann,
I have a choice to sit in command position #1 or #2, both positions would have my back to a window. My best direction is command position #2. Which position should I choose?
Also I have a choice of an L shape desk with a left extension or a right extension. Does it matter which L shape desk I choose?
Thank you
Hello Yvonne,
Please send your question via my Ask Ann page so that you can attach a floor plan and I can answer your question.
Hello Ann,
Thank you for a great article, I have used your layout when designing my home office.
Just wondering about the optimal location for where I should position/seat clients when they meet with me? It doesn’t happen a lot but there will be times it’s necessary.
It’s a large space so I have room to do almost anything. Would love your thoughts. 🙂
Cath.
Hello Cath,
You can position the seating for your clients anywhere you wish, as long as you are facing the entry door. Oftentimes this means that clients have their backs to the door, but that is OK in this situation.
What do I do if my desk is facing a closet door, and I am not able to change the direction of the desk?
Hello Christina,
Please send me this question with a sketch or a photo of your office so that I can help you out. Please use my Ask Ann page to send it to me, thank you!