In feng shui, every opening in the home, including windows and doors, affects the energy flow. For expert Montserrat Beltrán, windows require curtains to prevent a constant leakage of energy (chi) entering through the front door.
Chi, or qi, is a subtle energy, invisible and technically undetectable, but it flows through all spaces and living beings, according to traditional Chinese philosophy. The quality and flow of this energy in a space determine how we feel and function in it.
Characteristics of chi in feng shui
Chi can be positive (sheng chi) when it flows gently and harmoniously, or negative (sha chi) when it is stagnant, blocked or flows too quickly. The aim of feng shui is precisely to optimise the flow of chi in spaces such as homes, offices or gardens so that it circulates in a balanced way.
The practitioners of feng shui use various elements to improve the energy flow: the arrangement of furniture, the use of specific colours, the incorporation of natural elements (water, plants, light), mirrors placed strategically, and the elimination of clutter. The use of curtains can be one of the variables that influence the flow of chi.
Why curtains are essential
When Montserrat Beltrán discusses in the Tiene Sentido Podcast, on YouTube, the topic of curtains, the message is emphatic: “a house must have curtains.” And she says this not merely because they cover a window or beautify a space, but because they keep energy inside the home.
According to her, windows act as channels through which energy can enter… but also escape. Many people, she notes, argue that they live somewhere with a beautiful view and prefer not to have curtains. Montserrat clarifies that it’s perfectly fine to open them when you want to admire the view, but she insists that the rest of the time energy is leaving.
Why blinds do not replace curtains
The expert also addresses those who propose replacing curtains with blinds. Beltrán does not think it a good idea, because blinds serve to protect at night or to control incoming light, but they do not fulfil the same energy function as curtains. If they are closed, they block natural illumination; if they are open, energy enters and exits without regulation.
Moreover, Montserrat notes that curtains offer something beyond feng shui: warmth. “They dress the house,” she says, and while she concedes that tastes have changed and many people favour plainer environments, she insists that curtains always benefit both visually and energetically.
The front door, another key point for the flow of energy in the home
If windows should prevent energy leakage, the front door operates the opposite way. Montserrat explains that every time the door is opened, new energy enters and the important thing is that it be positive.
That is why she notes it is essential to ensure the door has “good energy.” If the entrance is well-kept, clean, uncluttered and receives the right light, it will attract good chi. If it is worn, dark, disorderly or blocked, it will attract stagnant or unfavourable energy.
The energy flow through doors and windows
According to Montserrat, energy always moves inward through the door. Each time someone enters or leaves, there is an exchange. That is why it is so important to look after this point with care. It is not about carrying out grand renovations, but about keeping the area clear, monitoring lighting or choosing colours that impart vitality.
By contrast, in the case of windows, energy “goes out” through the glass if there are no curtains, so both openings require different strategies.
This distinction is key to understanding how energy behaves inside the home.
What type of curtains to choose
Montserrat Beltrán proposes a series of criteria you can bear in mind when choosing curtains for your home.
Curtains made from fabrics that allow you to open and close them easily are preferable for managing the entry of light.
Additionally, they should not block out all natural daylight, they should not be opaque, and the colours and textures of the curtains should harmonise with the rest of the house. Remember that, depending on the function of the space, some colours are more suitable than others. There are colours that are more appropriate for the kitchen according to feng shui, for example, and the same applies to the bedroom.
