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If your health, finances or relationship is suffering, it might be worth looking at your bedroom layout. We’re not even kidding.
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice that helps create a harmonious and balanced environment in your home. Feng shui practitioners believe that chi, or ‘life force’, is made of yin and yang elements; balancing yin and yang improves the flow of positive chi and can lead to good health and relationships, luck and prosperity.
While bedroom design might seem simple, functional and inconsequential, poorly placed pieces of furniture can really upend your feng shui and block the flow of chi.
The bedroom is an important site when it comes to feng shui, since as it signifies your health and relationship, advises Liz Wiggins, founder of Everything Feng Shui. “For me [the bedroom] is the most important area of any home. It’s no good with wealth coming in if you don’t have your health, or someone to share it with,” she explains.
Where your boudoir is located in your home is important, according to feng shui. “Bedrooms in the east are said to be auspicious as they catch the rising sun,” says Liz. “This entices the occupants to get up and make something of their lives.”
Follow these top tips for applying feng shui in the bedroom.
Where you should place your bed
Your bed should be in the ‘commanding position’, which is as far away from the door as possible. But don’t allow the foot of the bed to be in direct alignment with the door; this is referred to in feng shui as the ‘coffin position’.
“Place your bedhead against a solid wall where you can view your main door,” says Liz. Importantly, avoid placing mirrors opposite the bed or in the room altogether. “As a couple, if you are arguing, the mirror will enhance [the argument]. If the mirror is immovable (say, in the case of a sliding wardrobe door), move your bed to another wall, if you can.
Your bed shouldn’t be placed under an exposed beam, adds Liz. Nor should it be under a window, if you can help it.
Clutter under the bed is bad feng shui
If the space under your bed is bursting with blankets, spare Sambas and boxes of childhood trinkets, it might be time to declutter. Liz advises against storing stuff under the bed. “This is the energy you are absorbing while sleeping,” she explains. If you must store items under your bed, ensure it’s linen or clothes that are neatly packed away.
It’s generally better to rid your bedroom of clutter, since chi should flow easily around the room.
TVs and electrical items aren’t great for bedroom feng shui, either, adds Liz. “And please don’t sleep with your phone under your pillow.”
Avoid red near your bed for feng shui
Colours make a big difference to the feng shui of a space, especially in a bedroom. “Don’t use red in your room unless recommended by a qualified consultant,” reveals Liz. “It is very yang and can affect your quality of sleep, or ability to get to sleep.”
However, small accents of red can promote passion and liveliness, as can yellow and orange. For calming feng shui, opt for muted and neutral tones and steer clear of saturated and neon hues, such as chartreuse or Yves Klein blue.
Make your bedroom symmetrical
Decorate your bedroom as symmetrically as possible to enhance balance, unity and stability. Pairs of things also represent harmonious and loving energy, which is obviously great for coupled-up folk.
Symmetry also makes interiors pleasing to the eye, which is calming. If there’s space, place bedside tables on each side of the bed, as well as table lamps or matching pendant lights. Ditto for pillows and cushions: aim for two of everything; they don’t have to be matchy-matchy, but at least be complementary.
