How to Feng Shui your bedroom for a zen sleep space
Knowing how to feng shui your bedroom has lots of calming benefits. And whether you are fully on board with philosophy or just want a more tranquil space, implementing Chinese geomantic practice in your bed chambers is only going to do you good.
In case you’re not familiar with the term ‘Feng Shui, it is all about building positive energy in your surroundings via the right colors, and furniture placement and there are other rules to adhere to also. The concept originates from China and defines specific spatial arrangements that can optimize the flow of Chi (energy) in our space, by reflecting on the basic principles of nature.
When used as the basis of a bedroom idea, it can help you to wind down for the day, and improve your sleep.
How to feng shui your bedroom
‘Our homes should be a sanctuary, a place that we can relax and recharge in. The principles of feng shui maintain that we live in harmony with our environment. The bedroom is a space that we spend around a third of our life in, so it is vital to have the energy in this space balanced so that we can recharge our own energy.’ says Feng Shui expert Priya Sher (opens in new tab).
There are lots of factors that play into knowing how to feng shui a bedroom and fend off negative energy. We’ve rounded up the most important ways to feng shui your bedroom with help from Feng Shui experts and interior designers. No matter what type of bedroom space you have, these simple rules are all achievable, affordable, and stylish.
1. Opt for soft edges
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Choosing furniture that has round edges is great Feng Shui and helps promote a feeling of comfort and safety. Harsh, pointy edges – which feature highly in so many bedside tables and other pieces of furniture that may sit in your bedroom – can promote bad feng shui, so choose more organic lines, softer edges, and natural materials where possible when figuring out how to design a bedroom.
‘Curves are featured everywhere in the latest interior design trends,’ says Suzy McMahon, buying director, Sofology (opens in new tab).
‘Perfect for softening the traditional angular lines in our homes, they add an air of calm and serenity. Upholstered beds in tactile faux fur, velvet, or soft boucle are the ultimate way to bring this styling into the bedroom.’
2. Keep your bed central
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The positioning of your bed is a crucial part of feng shui and there are a couple of dos and don’ts to consider.
You do want your bed to be central to a wall, however, you don’t want it to be in line with, or even very close to the door as it’s said that your energy will constantly be pulled throughout the night…A little spooky, but, food for thought.
According to Adams Selfstore (opens in new tab), you should ‘Place your bed in the center of the room and not in line with the door. This will centralize the energy of your room and prevent it from escaping.’
When discussing bedroom ideas for couples, Olly Canver, resident manager at Essential Living (opens in new tab) also adds: ‘The bed is the heart of the bedroom, and it’s therefore important to ensure it is placed in the correct position. To avoid you and your partner feeling trapped, make sure the bed is placed in the center rather than the corner of the room. This will create accessibility as one won’t be climbing on top of the other to get out.’
3. Invest in a headboard for support
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Aside from looking pretty, a headboard provides ergonomic benefits and a feeling of security. Rather than opting for a faux headboard that’s painted, the Feng Shui practice favors fixed boards that are secured to the bed itself.
It’s your choice whether you go for a shop-bought headboard, or design your own DIY headboard.
‘Securing the headboard to the wall lets the mind know that no object can enter from where you cannot see,’ explains Thomas Goodman, building and construction expert, MyJobQuote (opens in new tab).
4. Choose Feng Shui bedroom colors
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Choosing a calm and neutral bedroom color scheme is the best way to create serene surroundings in your space.
‘Paint the walls a peaceful color,’ suggests Sher.
‘Pastels and neutral colors are soothing for the mind. Bright bold shades such as red or neon colors can over-activate the energy and cause unrest.’
Don’t overdo the amount of color you use either – ‘the bedroom is a place of rest and therefore two of the best colors to use are blue and green.’ explains Feng Shui expert Marites Allen (opens in new tab). ‘Psychologically, when we look at these two colors, it creates electronic waves in our brains to feel more settled, and healed or calm.’
Helen Shaw, director, Benjamin Moore (opens in new tab) concurs. She says: ‘To bring the best feng shui energy to the bedroom, you should, first of all, consider the color of the walls. The right shades will promote harmony and a sense of wellbeing, and so considering how these colors make you feel and impact your mood, is key. If you’re looking to add a splash of color, soft pastel hues such as pale blues, sage greens, pale pinks, and lavenders will create a relaxing, sanctuary and evoke healing energy.’
So if you’re feeling inspired by Allen, we’ve got dreamy blue bedroom ideas, as well as ideas for a green bedroom too.
5. Choose functional furniture
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Promoting good feng shui is all about incorporating things that have meaning and purpose. Ensuring these items are attractive will also help with feng shui so you can get a little creative and still showcase character throughout your decor.
‘Functional furniture like a bookcase is great feng shui. The principles teach us that our possessions should have roles so a bookcase will serve a function but also provide an aesthetically pleasing piece of furniture.’ suggests Selfstore.
Whether you have a wardrobe, or chest of drawers working as your bedroom storage, these are functional items so fine to keep in your bedroom, provided that yours are organized à la Marie Kondo folding method as best possible.
6. Declutter
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Speaking of functional furniture, simply decluttering your bedroom is a surefire way to bring a more zen feel to your boudoir. And, you should be sure to actually get rid of stuff and not just shove things under your bed…
Selfstore says: ‘Feng Shui doctrine states that clutter should be minimized as a rule but especially in significant areas of restoration like your bed and your living room. ‘
If you’re emotionally attached to certain items, make an attempt to display your wares stylishly with a chic bedroom storage idea. Stackable acrylic trays, trolleys, and over-the-door solutions are all great bedroom organizers.
7. Use both natural and artificial light
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‘Invest in an alternate source of light for your room, a floor lamp will help make your room feel dynamic and more pleasant to be in at night,’ advises Selfstore.
A combination of bedroom lighting ideas is best for all spaces anyhow, but this promotes good feng shui also. In addition to lamps and other smaller ideas for bedroom lighting, natural light plays an important part so try to place your bed where the morning light can naturally wake you up, immersed in positive Chi.
8. Bring nature in
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It’s clear that indoor plants are a must for good balance, especially when feng shui is all about creating harmony in your surroundings by better connecting you with nature. Here, the experts share the benefits of houseplants and why you should dot a few around your sleep space.
‘Plants are hugely important for feng shui, they bring nature into your home and allow a room to breathe. Studies have also shown that the presence of plants can reduce anxiety levels.’ suggests Selfstore.
Even just adding fresh flowers can enhance your sleep space. ‘Fresh flowers uplift the energy of a space and bring a strong healing spirit as well as luck and blessings… To support your health place a small orchid plant on the bedside table in the corner diagonally opposite the bedroom door.’ says Sher.
Aesthetically, Orchidaceae add such an elegant touch to the bedroom, and caring for orchids is easier than you might think. Alternatively, there are many plants that exude vibes of love – from the String of Hearts (opens in new tab) to Anthuriums (opens in new tab) (all available on Amazon) and would be great as a romantic bedroom idea.
Nonetheless, not all plants promote good feng shui. Some consultants have even warned against keeping cacti and Golden Pothos in the home.
9. Keep electrical items to a minimum
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If you use your sleep space as a bedroom office, remember to take your laptop out at night as an overload of electrical items can disrupt sleep and add clutter to your space.
‘To encourage a restful sleep, keep electrical items to a minimum in the bedroom, as electromagnetic stress drains our energy,’ advises Sher.
And, if you’re prone to checking emails or Insta notifications in bed. Leave your phone outside of the room. Yep… it might be a struggle at first, but it’s one mantra in our guide on how to sleep well.
10. Set the mood with candles
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Candles are great not just in Scandi bedrooms, to purify the energy in your space to help bring you both comfort and inspiration. ‘These especially should be used in winter or when feeling lonely, as they represent a fire element of Feng Shui, bringing romance to the bedroom,’ instructs Sher.
Or try the soft glow of a Himalayan salt lamp (available on Amazon) (opens in new tab). ‘To make any layout of your bedroom feel more luxurious you can put out some Himalayan salts, on the bedside table. There are kinds you can now get that plugin or activates that way as it not only brings in the good energy but will give the room a more sophisticated, luxurious feel,’ explains Marites.
11. Think about reflective surfaces
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As mirrors bounce energy and light around the room, it’s best to avoid bedroom mirror mistakes by placing them opposite windows or directly in front of your bed as any reflections can disturb sleep. Yes, they can make a small bedroom look bigger, but it’ll be at the detriment of your sleep. Your choice…
12. Balance your bedroom with a symmetrical layout
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Promote calm in your sleep space by adding homewares in pairs and creating equilibrium on both ‘sides’ of the room. Whatever you do on your end should be mimicked on your partner’s side too. So that means two pillows on each side, a lampshade on each bedside cabinet, etc. to create an equal and uniform environment for both of you.
‘You need to make sure that your bed compliments your room, rather than compromises it,’ says Kate Windleton, a feng shui enthusiast and relocation manager at Strong Move (opens in new tab).
‘In Feng Shui, the Chinese geomancy that aims to harmonize individuals to their surrounding environment, the bedroom carries a heavy symbolic weight. You’ll need space on both sides of the bed for a nightstand to ensure symmetry in the room. Nightstands also provide a great opportunity to personalize your space with lamps, plants, and accessories.’
While Goodman adds: ‘The brain favors symmetry as it interprets it as safe, stable, and calm. Ensuring your room is as symmetrical as possible promotes calm as soon as you enter the space, putting you in the best stead for optimal sleep.’
What is bad Feng Shui for a bedroom?
The main thing you can do to create bad Feng Shui is to place your bed directly opposite the door. This is known in the world of Feng Shui as the ‘dead man’s position’ because this position is reminiscent is how the dead are carried out of open doors – nice.
‘Feeling safe is essential to achieving a good night’s sleep,’ explains Goodman.
‘The position of the bed is crucial. The bed facing the door ensures that you can see anyone that enters the bedroom space. Feng shui dictates that sleeping with your head towards the door is bad luck as the door will drain positive energy away from you as you sleep.’
What is the best position for your bed for good Feng Shui?
For good Feng Shui in a bedroom, you want your bed to be commanding position. This means it’s located in a place from which when you are lying down you can see the door. But you don’t want to be placed directly in line with the door (that whole ‘dead man’s position’ we just talked out). Ideally, you want to be diagonally in line with the door when you are in bed.
And you don’t want your bed to be placed directly under a window and if possible there should be room on either side.