There has been a lot written about Feng Shui for bathrooms, much of which have nothing to do with Feng Shui, at least according to ancient texts. Most of what you read is based on cultural adaptations and assumptions.

The truth is that the bathroom is a utilitarian room designed for bathing and elimination. At one time, the public bath house or rivers were for bathing only. Eventually, baths were set up in living quarters, either in the bedroom or in the main living area, near a fire, making bathing more commonplace even in cold climates. A separate outdoor place was designated for elimination, whether in a structure or some other specified area. Eventually, hese two utilitarian functions began to claim a combined indoor space. In most of the modern industrialized world bathrooms occupy at least one space in a residence or building…and often multiple spaces.

The flush toilet, while a great invention from a sanitation point of view, has one pitfall: namely, the “plume” of water vapor that rises each time it’s flushed. The water plume is known to be a cause of the spread of disease…not only from the inhaled particulate but also because that plume has a range of at least 6 feet, which leaves particulate on all surfaces around the toilet. When located in a water closet (a separate toilet room) or stall, the plume is contained to a smaller space, but without a lid the particulate can still be inhaled. This is how Legionnaires has spread in public places and a recent study has uncovered this possibility with Covid-19. In residences in most cases the toilet is located within range of a wash basin and counters where personal hygiene items are contaminated by the water plume. It is for THAT reason that one should always lower the toilet seat cover prior to flushing. It has nothing to do with the perception of “flushing money down the drain.”

While it is true that water is constantly draining out of this room from hand washing to showering/bathing, it doesn’t literally drain your finances so there’s no need to close the drains when the tub/shower and basin are not in use. Overall, the energy of a bath or powder room is one of cleansing debris from the body. Keeping the surfaces and air of a bathroom sanitized is desirable, considering its use. You don’t want that residue in the rest of your living quarters. So, if your bathroom/powder room is not sanitized after every use, it’s reasonable to close the door when not in use…particularly when it’s located near a kitchen (where food is prepared) or en suite bedroom. This is simply a good hygiene practices.

You’ve likely heard that you should keep the door closed if it faces a main entry as well. Again, this is a matter of hygiene and perception. After all, a powder room or bathroom is not generally a function that you want to draw attention to, nor do you want the entry to be exposed to the particulate that is produced in that room. No matter how beautifully decorated nor how expensive the fixtures, a bath/powder room is a utilitarian room for elimination and cleaning.

There is one energetic aspect of a bath or powder room to be aware of: while water is draining, so is energy. So this is a low-energy space. There’s never going to be an opportunity for gains here. Whatever natal energy or visiting energy is in a bathroom, it will be drained by the activity of this space. Whether it’s favorable or unfavorable, it’s going to be drained. For that reason Feng Shui dictates that it is not ideal to have a bathroom in the center of the house, since the center Palace of the house is often referred to as the “heart” of the house and to have draining energy there is not ideal.

Spaces are primarily activated by their use and it’s true that bathrooms are often active through their function. But as stated, there’s also a draining aspect that negates any activated energy there. By their very nature and utility, bathrooms, like laundry rooms, will never be supportive places to spend time.

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