Who doesn't want good vibes in their bedroom? And whether you are fully on board with philosophy or just want a more calming space, knowing how to feng shui a bedroom is something we think everyone should have as part of their interior design armor.
In case you're not familiar with the term 'Feng Shui, it's is all about building positive energy in your surroundings via the right colors, furniture placement and there are other rules to adhere to also. It's a Chinese concept, that defines specific spatial arrangements that can optimize the flow of Chi (energy) in our space, by reflecting on the basic principles of nature.
- For more practical and beautiful bedroom ideas look no further than our feature.
'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.
There are lots of factors that play into creating good feng shui and fending 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
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 putting your bedroom design together.
2. Keep your bed central
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.'
3. Choose feng shui bedroom colors
Choosing a calm and neutral bedroom color scheme is the best way to create serene surroundings in your space.
Priya Sher suggests 'Paint the walls a peaceful color, 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.'
4. Choose functional furniture
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 Adams 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.
5. Declutter
Speaking of functional furniture, simply decluttering your space is a surefire way to bring a more zen feel to your bedroom zone. And, you should be sure to actually declutter and not just shove things under your bed...
Adams Selfstore suggests the '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. '
6. Use both natural and artificial light
'Invest in an alternate source of light for your room, a lamp will help make your room feel dynamic and more pleasant to be in at night' Adams Selfstore advises.
A combination of lighting is best for all bedrooms anyhow, but this promotes good feng shui also. In addition to lamps and other light sources, 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.
- For more bedroom lighting ideas you can look to our feature.
7. Bring nature in
It's clear that house 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.
'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 Adams 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.” Priya advises.
8. Keep electrical items to a minimum
If you work from your bedroom a lot of the time, 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'” Priva advises.
9. Set the mood with candles
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.' Priva advises.
Or try the soft glow of a Himalayan salt lamp. '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 plug in 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.
10. Think about reflective surfaces
As mirrors bounce energy and light around the room, it's best to avoid placing these opposite windows or directly in front of your bed as any reflections can disturb 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.
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.
Ideally you don't want your bed to placed directly under a window and if possible there should be room either side.
