Folding screens
A Chinese folding screen divides a room, hides a door and works as art.
Three ways to use one
At the entry
Set it inside the front door to stop the view straight through the house. Feng shui says this keeps qi from rushing out.
As a divider
Zigzag a screen across a studio to hide a bed, a desk or a dressing corner. Carry it elsewhere when the room changes.
Flat on the wall
Open a fine screen flat behind a sofa or bed. It reads as a mural and gives the seat a solid back.
Half hidden, half shown: that is a Chinese room.
A tall screen can tip, so anchor it around children. Antique inlay may contain ivory or tortoiseshell, which US law restricts. Hardwood screens usually ship by freight.
Good to know
What is a Chinese folding screen used for?
It blocks drafts and views, divides a room and shows off art. The Chinese name means wind screen. Early ones stood behind a ruler's throne as a mark of rank.
What is a Coromandel screen?
A Coromandel screen is a Chinese lacquer folding screen with carved, painted scenes, made in the Ming and Qing. The name comes from India's Coromandel Coast, where European traders handled them.
Where should a folding screen go in feng shui?
Inside the entry, or anywhere a door lines up with a window. It breaks the straight line so qi turns and slows. Keep walkways and exits clear.
