You've probably heard of Feng Shui but did you know that following the practice of Feng Shui in your bedroom will not only make the space look lovely but it can also help you to sleep better too (along with some of the best bedding, of course)! We spoke to Sarah Stone, Founder of Creative Feng Shui and and Intentional Living Expert to find out more about how to Feng Shui your bedroom.
What is Feng Shui?
In its literal form, Feng Shui means ‘wind and water.’ which is associated with good health and good fortune. The art of Feng Shui is to enhance the flow of ‘chi’ (energy) and to create harmonious environments that support health, wellbeing, wealth and happiness.
Feng Shui in any room whether it's the bedroom or Feng Shui for the living room provides you with a powerful opportunity to live with intention, transform your emotional, physical and financial experiences of life, encapsulating the components of your mind, body, soul and home.
Can Feng Shui help me sleep better?
Absolutely! Feng Shui helps create a space with healing and nurturing energy in your space, including your bedroom, vastly improving your sleep and relaxation. When a bedroom has good Feng Shui, the nervous system can relax and we attract a place of love and safety, which are very important for a good nights sleep.
How to Feng Shui your bedroom
Position your bed
You can instantly make improvements by ensuring your bed is positioned correctly. Your energy needs extra protection while you sleep, so place your bed against a wall with a solid headboard to support you. Or at least towards a wall with a closed window that doesn’t have a draft. This position is to reduce the moment of energy above your head so that you will have a restful night's sleep.
Get air in your room
Let your bedroom breathe by opening your windows. During the daytime allow the daylight and fresh airy breeze to purify your room in preparation for the time you’ll spend re-energising your body overnight.
Unplug technology to reduce the ‘electro-stress’ in your bedroom
Do whatever possible to remove anything electrical such as your computer, mobile phone and TV as the electrical magnetic fields can cause health and sleep problems. The bedroom should be reserved for sleeping and connecting with your partner, not your electronics.
Declutter the room
Donate or throw away anything in your bedroom that you no longer need or desire. If something is broken, fix it or bin it immediately. Everything in your bedroom should enhance the feelings of love and relaxation. Try following storage tips to tidy up anything you decide to keep.
How should I lay out my bedroom?
Place bedroom furnishings strategically. Ensure you can walk around both sides of your bed and that it’s the focal point of the room. It should go without saying but your bed should be an epitome of alluring comfort and be a place you feel at complete peace.
Place things in pairs or equal measure. Pictures, lamps and side tables should be placed in pairs to promote equality and partnership.
Create symmetry. Balance is something you can feel and this is symbolic of creating equal space for both you and your partner in the bedroom. It can also be aesthetically pleasing.
Ground your bedroom with a rug. Adding an area rug near your bed is a great way to help ground the energy when sleeping and create a balance between yin (soft textures) and yang (hard surfaces). Having two smaller rugs on each side can achieve a similar effect without the costly price tag.
Are certain colours best for my bedroom?
Paint with peaceful colours. Transform your bedroom into a place of safety, love and warmth by using warm, rich earth tones such as copper, coral, cream, peach, tan and cocoa for creating a cosy, inviting atmosphere in your bedroom. Lighter shades of pastel blues, greens and lavenders also enhance the quiet, tranquil vibes and invite healing energy.
What should I avoid in my bedroom to boost Feng Shui?
Avoid putting your bed underneath a window. When a bed is under a window, the feng shui energy is very weak. On a more complex level, people who sleep in a bed under the window are prone to feelings of sadness / weakness are heightened and you’re more likely to feel a lack of support in life. You can boost your feng shui by ensuring that you have a strong and sturdy headboard which is against a supporting wall and a weighted blanket to help you feel safe.
Avoid harsh bright colours. Colours like bright red, blue, green and too much white, these bright colours could potentially diminish the intimate, sensual energy and are considered overpowering for bedrooms; therefore they are best used for accent decor. Choosing the wrong colours can absolutely disturb the nurturing energy you need to sleep well. You can boost your Feng Shui by using more earth tones and textures.
Avoid mirrors. While mirrors are great for expanding and redirecting energy in other areas of your home that need better energy flow, they can be over-stimulating in the bedroom. Since the purpose of a mirror is to reflect and move energy around, they can promote restlessness and disrupt your sleep. If you must have a mirror, make sure it is not reflecting the bed or directly across from the door.
What other steps can I take to Feng Shui my bedroom?
Our bedroom is a sanctuary of relaxation and a haven to fall and stay asleep all night long. The key to achieving serenity in the bedroom using feng shui can be enhanced by:
Investing in subtle lighting
Lighting in the bedroom is very important. You might also try candlelight (pairs of candles) if you really want to increase the serenity of your bedroom.
Investing in quality bedding
Opt for a supportive mattress, sturdy bed frame, and soft sheets to ensure you’re getting the best sleep you can! Soft bedding and luxurious blankets bring the yin quality of your bedroom to life. If it feels amazing, you’ll feel amazing too.
Keep under your bed clear
The energy surrounding your bed should be able to flow freely, this is a crucial Feng Shui principle. If you must store things under the bed, limit it to soft textiles such as bedding.
Features & Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert has been a journalist since 2016 and has worked across a variety of specialist and lifestyle brands both in print and online. Specialising in travel content and product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases, her favourite being gadgets for the home.