Guide to Bedroom Feng Shui

If your bedroom is outdated, so is your sleep. Sure, maybe you’ve purchased a new mattress, updated the sheets, and fluffed the pillows a few times, but is there anything really ‘new’ about your bedroom? Most people will never consider the way their bedroom is setup to be the source of their sleepless nights. The solution could be as simple as some easy bedroom Feng Shui.

Maybe you thought sleeping with your bed under that drafty window was the only option, but according to the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui, arranging your bedroom with purpose can make all the difference. Continue reading for more on this ancient art of rearranging living spaces, and understand how to create positive flow and energy in your bedroom for your best sleep yet.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is an ancient art and science that originated in China over 3,000 years ago. Feng means “wind” and Shui means “water”. While in Chinese culture these terms combined mean good health and fortune. Feng Shui is a combination of practices including scholarly study, physics, philosophy, astronomy, and astrology. It is very closely related to the Taoist beliefs in nature and the natural elements of Feng Shui are water, metal, earth, fire, and wood.

According to Feng Shui each element should be added into your design for optimal balanced, keeping in mind the element you are most in tune with should be used the most. In Feng Shui, the key is not to create a stale, or completely equal balance; you will feel more in tune with one element, which will bring you the most relaxation. The other core principle of Feng Shui is the idea of Yin (feminine) and Yang (masculine). The Yin and Yang are both necessary to achieve a good flow of energy and a successful life.

Feng Shui is the art of placement. This unique art emphasizes how the placement of yourself and other objects within a space, affects your experiences and interactions within that space. Now just think of yourself asleep in your bedroom, wouldn’t you want the best interactions within this space for the best night’s sleep?

History of Feng Shui:

Some of the oldest principles of Feng Shui date back to approximately 6,000 years ago. The practice also known as “Geomancy” is the ancient method of constructing and optimizing space to bring about happiness, harmony, and abundance. In ancient times the Chinese’s Imperial Court highly guarded the teachings of Feng Shui. They forbade the practice from sharing its powers with outsiders, so we should consider ourselves lucky today.

Feng Shui still has its place. In the professional world architecture, urban panning, interior design, and urban design all use it. Feng Shui uses the layout, framework, materials, and colors to increase the flow of “Qi” or natural energy. You may not have utilized Feng Shui in your bedroom yet. But it is likely that in the design your home, office, even the community garden area, the designer used Feng Shui.

Benefits of Feng Shui:

Feng Shui is as relaxing as it sounds (rolls off the tongue doesn’t it?) Psychologists commonly recommend Feng Shui for the benefits of organization, productivity, and relaxation. These are the same benefits that we expect out of sleep, so it is no surprise why Feng Shui should be utilized in the bedroom.

Feng Shui in the bedroom can help you bring in quality shut-eye which are vital to your everyday well-being. If you are a couple and share a bedroom, Feng Shui is also said to strengthen the bond and attract love between individuals. Even more specific ways that Feng Shui improves your health include:

• Increase and improve the energy flow in homes and workplaces
• Harmonize the environment for optimal living and working
• Raise the vibration of the home or workplace
• Energize the environment, causing it to become a magnetic for opportunities and prosperity
• Help increase your personal luck factor
• Avoid negative influences, ie. Geopathic stress and electromagnetic pollution (EMF)

How To Feng Shui Your Bedroom:

The bedroom is a place of rest and relaxation. So is Feng Shui. However, with the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it is unclear what relaxation really means anymore. If you need to increase your R&R in the bedroom, Feng Shui is the easiest way to do so, with the oldest proven track record. You’ll be amazed by how these ancient principles can bring new life to your bedroom and better sleep to your life.

• Basic Rules to Feng Shui Your Bedroom

Before you get to the paint, color scheme, and layout of your bedroom, there are a few basic ground rules to help you start feeling relaxed.

• Seeing double

Couples especially should have two of everything; two nightstands on either side of the bed, two lamps, two dressers. This creates balance when there is two of you. For couples, ovals and circles are also better choices than squares and rectangles. The round edges promote infinity better than sharp edges show clear and distinct stopping and starting points.

• De-clutter

This goes without saying, but a messy bedroom is a stressful one. The first step in Feng Shui is to create a serene environment. Now is an excellent time to get rid of clothes you no longer wear, and any other meaningless knick knacks. Take advantage of the space under your bed for storage, put clothes away before you go to sleep, close the closet door, and don’t let your everyday items pile up. Do this and you’re bound to feel more calm already.

• Hide the electronics

Electronics are typically the big no-no’s but this also includes exercise gear, televisions, laptops, and items related to work. Having these things in the bedroom symbolize wakefulness. This is the opposite of what you want for a good night’s rest. If the items cannot be removed completely, try covering them with a screen or blanket each night. You’ll be surprised by what a difference this small change makes.

• Bedroom Feng Shui – Layout

The proper Feng Shui layout is everything we have discussed combined, but there are a few more pointers. For example, no mirrors in the bedroom. Especially for couples, mirrors are said to invite a third person into the marriage. In addition, mirrors reflect energy throughout the space, which will disrupt your sleep throughout the night.

Another tip is to remove all electronics. If possible turning off the WiFi at night is yet another way to feel less ‘plugged in’ and truly let your mind relax. Avoid paintings above the bed. These create the same heavy, looming feeling that sleeping beneath a window does.

If possible, you should also avoid, large, bulky furniture. Dressers and bookshelves are also very looming. If you need a bookshelf, lay all books flat horizontally, since vertical books give the feeling of being cut.

• Bedroom Feng Shui – Colors

Relaxing Feng Shui can be as simple as the color scheme you choose, so choose the colors that make you feel most calm. Plain white walls should be avoided since they are bright any symbolize wake.

For wall colors specifically, stick to skin tone like colors: whites, creams, chocolate browns, and peach tones. These tones will help improve sensuality and rest.

However, never use too much peach. Peach is though to help attract a partner, but you may find that you attract one, then another, and another.

Other colors to consider are light blues, greens, and lavenders, which are restful colors and helpful for sleep. Greys, blues, and whites might seem calming, but can actually interfere with sleep. Feng Shui principles say to aim for balance; 50% warm colors and 50% cool tones for ideal relaxation.

Interested in learning more about how your bedroom pain colors effect your sleep? Read more in our article: Best Bedroom Colors for Sleep.

• Mattress Feng Shui 

The bed is the icon of the bedroom, so pay attention to it. According to Feng Shui, placement of the bed should allow you to see the door while in bed, without being directly in front or in line with it. Feng Shui states that having a view of the bed, but not being too close increases the sense of safety that is needed to have a quality night’s rest.

In addition, the head of the bed should be against a wall, but not under a window. Sleeping too near a window can cause Qi to escape outside, therefore causing restless sleep. Similarly you should not put your bed directly under a ceiling fan or decorative beam. If two people sleep in the bed, ensure there is the same amount of space on each side.

Lastly, if these changes are not possible, try hanging a bamboo flute above your head while you sleep, which is said to equalize balance in the space.

Also, make sure you are on the most comfortable mattress for proper rest. See some of our favorites on our Best Mattresses page. 

• Bedroom Feng Shui – Accessories & Art

According to Feng Shui, your accessories should nourish the five senses. And you should do your best to include an accessory for each sense in the bedroom.

• Smell

Smell is often a forgotten sense in the bedroom, but it shouldn’t be. The olfactory senses are some of the most relaxing and can immediately signal your brain to begin rest mode each time you notice the smell. Smell can be accessorized in the bedroom with an essential oils diffuser, candle, or wax melter. Lavender and jasmine are commonly relaxing scents, while cinnamon can even be used to increased sensuality a bit.

• Touch

If there’s one thing you want your bed to feel, its soft and plush. Who doesn’t love a good cuddle up with a cozy blanket? Velvet, satin, and Egyptian cotton are highly recommended for sheets, pillows, curtains, anything you can think of. It is no surprise that softness equals sleepiness, which is why comfortable bedding is a key component to a Feng Shui friendly bedroom.

• Sight

Sight accessories are anything that you can see. Consider these your decorations that should be placed throughout the room on shelves, desks, etc. Small accessories should still be within the color scheme. Earthy tones are highly recommended, but fiery tones such as reds, pinks, and oranges can be used in moderation as well. Accessories should be symbolic or meaningful to you, especially if the invoke peaceful and positive thoughts.

• Sound

If you don’t currently use a white-noise machine for yourself, but you use one for the baby, then you’re the one who isn’t sleeping like a baby. Sound machines are incredible for encouraging restful sleep. Their soothing tones will help you sleep the whole night long, without waking up to every creak you hear in the night.

• Taste

Food is never recommended in the bedroom, but water is encouraged. Place a lemon in water overnight beside your bed and drink it in the morning for a quick and natural pick me up.

• Bedroom Feng Shui – Plants & Air Quality

Plants in the bedroom are a total Feng Shui Taboo. Plants might seem natural and relaxing, but they are not conducive to your sleep. For one, plants are too yang- too feminine, and have strong and vibrant energies of growth and movement; none of which you want promoted in the bedroom.

Second, living plants go through the process of photosynthesis, especially at night, and emit large amounts of carbon dioxide into the air. As you sleep, your body will try to breathe in more oxygen than carbon dioxide resulting in shots, quick breaths, and head tossing all night long. In other words, those little plants will do anything but help you sleep peacefully.

• Bedroom Feng Shui – Lighting

You might not think about lighting as being an essential part of your bedroom, since sleep occurs in the dark, but using the proper lighting can greatly benefit your sleep. Lighting is considered the Yang energy, while too much darkness is too much Yin energy. Windows and natural skylights are an excellent remedy for too much Yin energy, but these are usually not enough.

Artificial lighting easily fixes that problem. Use floor lamps to light up the ceiling that is also reflected back into the room. Use light to balance out too much wood element in your bedroom, since light is associated with fire.

Time to Feng Shui Your Bedroom

There’s a reason why Feng Shui was fit for a king in ancient times, and why it is still used today in various settings. Feng Shui is both an art and a science, a philosophy and a practice, a belief and a balance. Feng Shui is all of these things combined and has significant benefits for your physical and mental well being.

Coming home you should feel as though your troubles from the day wash away. Entering into your bedroom you should feel even more relaxed, peaceful, positive; your bedroom should be inviting. If your bedroom is not all of these things, consider Feng Shui. Feng Shui has the elements of nature, Yin and Yang, and your five senses in mind. It is not expensive or difficult to achieve, it is simply a way to maximize the space you already have. Start by using Feng Shui in you bedroom and you might just Feng Shui your entire home.

Have questions about Feng Shui? Maybe need a mattress suggestion? Contact us, we’d be happy to help whatever your needs are!