Is it a problem when two doors face each other?
When two room doors line up, the issues are privacy and sound: open one and you see straight into the other room, and conversations and phone calls carry right across. Keeping one of them closed, or hanging a curtain just inside, helps a lot.
Common senseWhy it feels uncomfortable
This is listed as common sense. With two doors facing and nothing between them, you see each other clearly whenever a door is open, and sound travels in a straight line. If one is a bedroom and the other a bathroom or study, whoever is sleeping is more likely to be disturbed when someone goes in and out at night.
What tradition says
Feng shui says doors shouldn't face each other, as the rooms disturb one another. We don't rate the saying; we take the part about each room needing its own quiet and privacy.
Three ways to fix it
- Do it nowKeep one of the doors closed, especially at night; fix the one that stays open with a door stop.
- Move some furnitureHang a fabric or bead curtain just inside one door, so you don't see straight into the other room.
- If you can't change itWhen you next renovate, swap one for a sliding door or shift a doorway slightly so they're offset. Check with your building management before changing walls.
FAQ
What if my bedroom door faces the bathroom door?
Start by keeping the bathroom door closed and adding a draught strip. Try not to have the bed directly facing the doorway, and use a small night light instead of the main light at night.
What about my front door facing a neighbour's?
That's very common in apartment buildings and nothing to worry about. An entry cabinet or a door curtain stops you seeing straight into each other's homes.
Related questions
This page draws on traditional ideas about the home and on environmental psychology research. It is for everyday reference, makes no predictions, and is not medical advice. If you sleep badly for a long time, please talk to a doctor.