Grand and Spiral Staircases in Feng Shui

We’ve all heard that front doors opening directly to stairs are bad for Feng Shui.  In fact, I’ve written about it in a previous post where I described that such designs lead to income problems.

Just as dangerous to a home or office’s Feng Shui is a spiral staircase or even a grand staircase.  I want to get into why they can be so harmful and, of course, give you some remedies.

Feng Shui, translated as “wind-water”, is about harnessing the flow of a natural energy called Chi just as boulders in a riverbed work to temporarily divert the flow of water.

Spiral Staircase Dangers

When working with home builders, I always recommend against designs with a spiral staircase.  Even though they are an efficient use of sometimes limited space, the benefits simply don’t outweigh the dangers.  Potential buyers conscious of Feng Shui will see a spiral staircase and simply walk out.

Consider a spiral staircase to be like a corkscrew digging into a particular section of the Bagua in the home or office.  Please also keep in mind that each section, or Gua, of the Bagua represents a part of the body.

As an example, a spiral staircase in the middle of a home, or Health Area, will figuratively dig into the heart of the Bagua.  I have found that those living in such a home frequently have health issues related to the heart or blood pressure.

Many spiral staircases are made of metal, which only exacerbates the digging effect.  The same goes for any staircases (spiral or otherwise) with metallic coloring, whether they are gold, silver, bronze, copper, etc.

Any staircase with the color red is morbidly characteristic of blood flowing down the stairs.  Circulatory issues are common with residents of such homes.

Another problem related to most spiral staircases is the empty space between each step, preventing Chi, that natural flowing energy, from rising to the upper levels.  Rather, energy only flows down — and painfully so.

Spiral Staircase Cures

What if you have a home that already has a spiral staircase?  Certainly, replacing the staircase isn’t usually financially feasible.

First and foremost, find a creative way to cover the openings between steps.  I suggest using wood because it has the energy of growing up, like a tree.  Feel free to cover it in a fabric, such as carpeting.

Use neutral colors instead of black, red or metallic colors.  It is better to use the colors of plants or trees.

Now, we need to find a way to work against the downward corkscrew energy.  To do this, I recommend the use of lighting and plants.

The lighting should point upward from below, again pushing Chi up the stairs and working against that painfully downward force.

The use of certain plants and trees also move energy upward.  Tall trees based at the bottom of the stairs will do the trick.  Ivy along the railing will further influence the energy to move upward.

Grand Staircase Dangers

Luxury builders often want to utilize grand staircases.  They are beautiful, opulent and, well, grand.  They are also very dangerous to the Feng Shui of a home.

Because of their often circular nature, any energy that flows up the left staircase at the Family Area just goes right back down the right staircase at the Creative Area, completely bypassing half of the second floor’s Bagua.

Thus, grand staircases often prevent Chi from giving life to the upstairs offices and bedrooms representing the Wealth Corner, Fame Area and Relationship Corner.  That’s simply bad for business and bad for the business of love.

The same rules apply here as with other types of stairs — metals and the colors of metals are bad.  Likewise with the bloody effects of red.

When working with builders, I often suggest some very specific modifications to the design to ensure proper energy flow while maintaining the grand effect of the staircase.

Grand Staircase Cures

Again, what remedies are there to cure a grand staircase that already exists in a home (aside from tearing it out and adding the Helpful People, Career, and Knowledge areas back into the upper floor)?

First, add a red rug at the top of the right staircase.  This works to slow the energy that is attempting to flow back downward.

Second, make sure that you have a large, shiny chandelier above the foyer and another shiny chandelier at the upper floor where the two staircases meet.

To keep with lighting, up-lighting or upward sconce lights along the staircase will help push and keep energy upstairs.

Just as with spiral staircases, you can use tall trees at the bottom and ivy along the edges to help influence Chi upward.  You can even use wood trim designed with the effects of ivy.

Next Steps

Generally, it is best to avoid a home with a spiral or grand staircase in terms of Feng Shui.  But, at least there are cures available to improve such designs to minimize their negative effects.

Spend some time learning about the Feng Shui Bagua to ensure proper Chi flow in your home or office.

If there is something unique about your stairs or layout, such as scissor-stairs, contact me to inquire about a Virtual Feng Shui Consultation because stairs can be a dangerous element.

Considering a new home?  Take a look at the recent new home projects where my Feng Shui consultation services were utilized.

Do you know someone with a spiral staircase? Share it with them on Facebook!

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