Are you tired of tossing and turning all night, despite following all the typical sleep recommendations? It's time to consider the ancient art of feng shui and its potential impact on your sleep. By arranging your sleep space according to feng shui principles, you can create a harmonious and balanced environment that promotes relaxation and rejuvenation. In this article, we'll explore expert-based feng shui bedroom tips that can help you achieve a more restful night's sleep.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng shui, meaning "the way of wind and water," is an ancient Chinese art form that focuses on achieving harmony and balance through the arrangement of buildings, objects, and space. According to National Geographic, it is believed that by arranging your environment in a specific way, you can enhance the flow of energy and create a sense of well-being.
Why is Feng Shui Important for Your Bedroom?
You might be skeptical about how an ancient Chinese practice could improve your sleep quality. However, many experts today strongly advocate for the benefits of feng shui in the bedroom.
Clinical psychotherapist and feng shui specialist, Lisa Lawless, PhD, explains that feng shui principles allow for the flow of positive energy into the bedroom, promoting both physical and mental health. The goal is to create a harmonious and rejuvenating space for better sleep and overall happiness.
Bedroom Feng Shui Dos
To create a positive energy flow in your bedroom, there are specific feng shui principles you should follow. By being mindful of the placement, materials, and colors you use, you can create a calming and balanced environment. Here are eight bedroom feng shui dos to consider:
1. Embrace Symmetry
Start by arranging your bedroom in a symmetrical way. Interior designer Bree Steele suggests placing matching nightstands and lamps on either side of the bed. This creates a sense of balance and harmony, essential for a relaxed and peaceful sleep.
Large double bed with wooden headboard covered with wool plaid blanket and soft pillows standing in loft-style bedroom against gray cement wall with dry reed panicles in pots on night tables
2. Add a Soft Rug
Incorporate the passive and feminine energy of yin into your bedroom by adding a soft rug. Interior designer Georgina Ross suggests that a soft rug promotes relaxation and a sense of grounding, crucial for quality sleep.
Rough wood floor and white fur rug. New Year or Christmas background. Greeting card.
3. Use Soft Lighting
Create a serene ambiance for bedtime tranquility with soft lighting. Professional real estate photographer Brad Filliponi recommends bedside lamps with warm-toned bulbs and dimmer switches. This gentle illumination signals to your body that it's time to unwind, promoting relaxation.
Electric lamp and book on bedside table in bedroom, selective focus
4. Choose the Right Colors
Consider the colors you use in your bedroom. Textile design expert Karin Sun suggests warm, rich earth tones like copper, coral, cream, and cocoa to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Soft, natural colors such as light blues, greens, and lavenders can also create a quiet and tranquil energy.
Interior of a modern bedroom decorated with modern furniture with pastel tones.
5. Balance All Five Elements
Incorporate the five elements of life - fire, earth, metal, water, and wood to create a harmonious and balanced energy in your bedroom. Interior designer Bree Steele recommends using different colors, shapes, and materials to represent each element. For example, wooden furniture for wood, candles or accented decor for fire, ceramics for earth, ornate frames or sculptures for metal, and blue hues or room humidifiers for water.
Wooden drawer shelves with decor. Creative head of the bed, shelves for decor in the loft style or Scandinavia. Pot with ivy
6. Ensure Your Head Points South
Align your bed so that your head points south. This arrangement is believed to enhance sleep quality and overall well-being. Interior designer David Mason explains that it is associated with a positive flow of energy.
Modern lamp on table side with picture frame on wall in bedroom design
7. Invest in a Solid Headboard
A solid headboard provides stability and acts as a shield for nurturing a sense of grounding. Clinical psychotherapist Lisa Lawless emphasizes the importance of investing in a solid headboard for a more rejuvenating sleep.
Tranquil blue color home bedroom. Air cleaning plant Spathiphyllum on flower stand, Amethyst crystal lamp illuminated and aroma lamp for relaxing aromatherapy. Natural wood furniture.
8. Keep the Bed Away from the Door
When arranging your bedroom, place your bed away from the door while still keeping it visible. This setup, known as the commanding position, fosters feelings of empowerment, according to feng shui expert Lisa Lawless.
Spacious and bright bedroom interior with beige decorations, hardwood floor and a book on the window sill seat
Bedroom Feng Shui Don'ts
Avoiding certain mistakes is just as important as following the dos when it comes to bedroom feng shui. Here are eight feng shui don'ts to keep in mind:
1. Don't Display Unread Books
Remove unnecessary clutter from your bedroom, including books you aren't actively reading. According to interior designer Robin Aebischer, clutter disrupts the flow of energy and disturbs the serenity of the environment.
Shot of a pile of books with glasses and a laptop on the bed at home
2. Don't Use Hanging Mirrors
Avoid hanging mirrors that reflect the bed. This arrangement is believed to create restless energy and disrupt sleep, according to interior designer Bree Steele.
Bedroom image - geometric pattern painted on wall, grey cream and pink. Also contains a house plant, chair, and laundry basket
3. Don't Use Nightstands with Sharp Edges
Opt for nightstands with softer and rounded corners. Furniture with sharp edges can create an attacking energy, which goes against the principles of feng shui.
Close up shot of a bedside table in the hotel. There is a mobile phone, notebook, pen, watch, and sunglasses.
4. Don't Rely on Under-the-Bed Storage
Avoid storing items under your bed as it can block energy flow. Lead interior designer Devin Shaffer advises keeping this area empty to allow for a free flow of energy while you sleep.
Storage Drawer Under Bed
5. Don't Hang Paintings Above the Bed
Having heavy objects, such as paintings, above your bed can create a feeling of unease, according to interior designer Devin Shaffer. Avoid hanging paintings directly above the bed.
Picture of a cozy bedroom interior design. Render image.
6. Don't Buy Bulky Furniture
Bulky furniture can create a sense of constriction in your space. Opt for streamlined and proportionate pieces to allow for a smoother energy flow in the room, recommends interior designer Robin Aebischer.
Realistic blank empty space on stylish modern dressing table for beauty make-up cosmetic skincare with round mirror. 3d rendering. High-quality 3d illustration.
7. Don't Have Too Many Plants
While plants bring life energy to your bedroom, having too many can create a sense of imbalance and overstimulation. Lead interior designer Devin Shaffer suggests maintaining a balanced environment by avoiding an excessive number of plants.
Cozy bright bedroom with indoor plants. Home interior design. Biophilia design, urban jungle concept.
8. Don't Install Water Features
Water elements are associated with yang energy, which can be too active for a bedroom. Textile design expert Karin Sun suggests avoiding water features in your sleeping space to ensure a restful night's sleep.
Fish tank aquarium in a hotel room.
How Can You Maintain Feng Shui in Your Bedroom?
In addition to implementing feng shui principles, it's essential to maintain a positive energy flow in your bedroom. Here are three simple ways to do that:
1. Make Your Bed
In the philosophy of feng shui, making your bed each morning is more than just a task. Clinical psychotherapist Lisa Lawless explains that it's a way to harmonize your personal space with your internal psychological state. Making your bed sets the tone for the entire room and promotes organization.
Woman in pajamas making the bed after waking up in her bedroom.
2. Open Your Blinds
Start your day by opening your blinds and letting in natural light. This promotes positive energy flow and helps create a fresh and inviting atmosphere, according to interior designer Bree Steele.
Man opening the blinds in the bedroom.
3. Light Candles
Candles in calming scents can purify and uplift the energy in your bedroom, creating a soothing sleeping environment. Consider lighting a candle to maintain feng shui and enhance the overall ambiance.
Home with candles: hygge concept.
Feng Shui Layout Ideas for Small Bedrooms
In smaller sleeping spaces like dorms or small bedrooms, it may present a challenge to incorporate traditional feng shui principles fully. However, here are four feng shui ideas tailored to these kinds of spaces:
1. Embrace Minimalism
Minimalism is key when working with limited living space. By embracing minimalism, you create a sense of calm and spaciousness, allowing for a smooth flow of energy. Keep your space clutter-free to promote better sleep.
Simple modern design, ad, offer. Double bed with white pillows and soft blanket, lamp, furniture on wooden floor. White empty wall, big window with curtains in the bedroom interior.
2. Hang Your Artwork
Raising artwork onto your walls helps minimize clutter in smaller spaces. Position your art thoughtfully to promote balance and avoid overcrowding, as suggested by clinical psychotherapist Lisa Lawless.
Young woman decorating and putting up a picture frame on the wall at home.
3. Keep Your Space Clean
Even the smallest mess can disrupt the flow of energy in a small bedroom or dorm room. By keeping things clean and tidy, you allow for a smooth flow of energy throughout the space, creating a sense of peace and harmony.
Mature couple cleaning house together.
4. Redecorate with Mirrors
Mirrors can create an illusion of a more expansive space in smaller bedrooms. Position small mirrors to reflect calming views rather than placing them directly opposite windows or doors, where the energy flow is strongest.
Stylish and luxury interior of the bedroom with design furniture and elegant accessories. Elegant home decor. Template concepts.
Wrapping Up
Incorporating feng shui principles in your bedroom can have a significant impact on your sleep quality and overall well-being. By following the dos, avoiding the don'ts, and maintaining positive energy flow, you can create a sleep sanctuary that promotes relaxation, rejuvenation, and a more blissful sleep. Sweet dreams!
