Best Feng Shui for Bedroom: Your Step-by-Step Guide

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you wake up feeling tired and groggy? If so, it’s time to consider the best Feng Shui for bedroom. Since you spend approximately a third of your life in the bedroom, optimizing the room into a serene environment becomes crucial.

Not sure where to start? We have the answers you need! In this article, we will discuss the principle of Feng Shui and how you can optimize your sleep space for better rest and rejuvenation. So, let’s get on with it!

What Is Feng Shui?

What Is Feng Shui?

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Imagine walking into a bedroom that feels just right. It’s airy, it’s comfortable, the furniture seems to be in the perfect place, and you immediately feel a sense of calm. You’re feeling the benefits of good Feng Shui. Want to remodel your bedroom today? Here is what Feng Shui means.

Feng Shui is an ancient practice from China that seeks harmony between people and their environment. Feng Shui means wind and water in Chinese. The idea is that everything in the world has a life force or energy called qi (chi) and that qi can flow smoothly or get stuck depending on how things are placed. The practice aims to optimize the flow of qi by avoiding or correcting any factors that may block or disrupt it.

You may wonder why feng shui matters. Well, if you ask any feng shui consultant, the quality and quantity of qi in your surroundings can affect various aspects of your life, such as your health, wealth, relationships, and happiness.

What Are The Feng Shui Principles?

The fundamental tenets of Feng Shui encompass several key principles that govern its practice and application:

  1. Yin and Yang: Representing the balance of opposing yet complementary forces, Yin (passive, dark, and female) and Yang (active, bright, and male) should exist in equilibrium in every space. It’s about creating spaces that feel neither too active nor too passive.
  2. The Five Elements: These elements are; Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. Each element has its qualities, colors, shapes, and directions. They can interact with each other in different ways, creating cycles of creation, destruction, or balance. You can use them to enhance various aspects of your life, such as creativity, passion, stability, focus, or emotion.
  3. The Bagua: This is the Feng Shui energy map of a space. It’s split into nine sections, each representing a different life circumstance like career, family, or wealth. The Bagua determines which parts of a home or room correspond to which aspect of life.
  4. The Commanding Position: This is the spot in a room that is the farthest from the door and not in direct line with it. It gives you a diagonal view of the door and a sense of control and security. You should place your bed, desk, and stove in the commanding position.

How To Create the Best Feng Shui for Bedroom

How To Create A Feng Shui Bedroom

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The first step when creating a Feng Shui bedroom is to understand how you’ll apply the fundamental Feng Shui principles above. When you do, consider these steps for your bedroom Feng Shui:

Step 1: Determine the Best Feng Shui Bedroom Location

Best Feng Shui Bedroom Location

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The best Feng Shui bedroom location is in a quiet and secluded area of your house, away from the main entrance, the kitchen, the living room, and other busy or noisy spaces. According to Feng Shui principles, a distant location will prevent disturbances or distractions affecting sleep quality or privacy.

It would help if you also determined the bedroom direction depending on your Kua number. In Feng Shui, you determine your Kua number depending on your birth year and gender – you can use an online Kua number calculator to decide yours. For example, if your Kua number is 8, your best direction for sleeping is southwest.

If you cannot use the Kua number, maybe because of the layout of your house or other constraints, you can use colors, shapes, elements, or symbols that correspond to your best direction to decorate your bedroom.

Step 2: Paint Your Bedroom Feng Shui- Color Selection

Feng Shui Bedroom Colors

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Colors play a significant role in Feng Shui, as each color corresponds to one of the five elements. Choose colors that match the element you want to enhance and suit your preference and the overall aesthetic of your bedroom.

For instance, you might opt for calming blues and blacks (Water), nourishing earth tones like light yellows and browns (Earth), energizing reds and oranges (Fire), or growth-inspired greens (Wood). Consider whites, greys, and pastels (Metal) if you need a more focused space.

Step 3: Define A Good Feng Shui Bedroom Layout

Good Feng Shui Bedroom Layout

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Once you’ve nailed the location, it’s time to think about the layout. Your bedroom layout affects how qi flows in and around it and influences your well-being and happiness. The basic rule of thumb for the Feng Shui bedroom layout is to keep it simple, spacious, and symmetrical.

You want to avoid any clutter, excess furniture, sharp corners, or irregular shapes that may create stagnant or negative qi in your bedroom. Also, develop a sense of balance and proportion by placing similar items on both sides of the bed.

Step 4: Master the Commanding Position

Feng Shui Commanding Position

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The commanding position is a cornerstone of Feng Shui. It dictates that the most important piece of furniture in a room – in this case, your bed – should be positioned diagonally opposite the door. You should have a clear view of the entrance but not be in line with the doorway.

To master the commanding position in your bedroom;

  1. Identify the main door of your bedroom. It is usually the door that leads to the hallway or another room. If you have more than one door in your bedroom, choose the one you use most often.
  2. Locate the farthest corner from the door that is not aligned with it. This is where you want to place your bed. If you have more than one corner that meets this criterion, choose the one that feels more comfortable or suitable.
  3. Position your bed so that it faces the door diagonally but not directly. You should be able to see who enters without being seen immediately. Ensure enough space between your bed and the door for easy movement.
  4. Place a solid headboard behind your bed. A headboard represents support and stability in Feng Shui. The best is made of wood, metal, fabric, or leather. Avoid headboards with bars, slats, holes, or gaps if possible.
  5. Finally, ensure a solid wall behind your bed. The solid wall provides additional protection and security in Feng Shui. It also blocks any negative energy that may come from outside. It is best to avoid placing windows, doors, mirrors, or open shelves behind your bed.

If you’re not able to place your bed in the commanding position, here’s what you can do:

  1. If you place your bed under a window, hang curtains or blinds to cover the window at night or when you sleep. This will create a sense of enclosure and privacy in your bed.
  2. If you place your bed under a beam, a ceiling fan, or a sloped ceiling, hang a canopy, a fabric, or a bamboo flute over your bed to soften the pressure or instability on your head or body while sleeping.

  3. If you place your bed directly with the door, place a piece of furniture, a screen, or a plant between the door and your bed to create a buffer zone and deflect the rushing energy into your bed. You can also hang a crystal ball, a wind chime, or a bell on the door handle to slow the energy flow and make some noise when someone enters.

Step 5: Feng Shui Decor Elements

Feng Shui Decor Elements

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You want decorative objects, but which are ideal for a Feng Shui bedroom?

Feng Shui decor elements are items that you can use to decorate your bedroom according to Feng Shui principles. They help balance the five elements, create a certain mood or atmosphere, or attract specific outcomes or blessings.

Some of the most common Feng Shui decor elements are:

  1. Colors: Colors are powerful expressions of the five elements in feng shui. They affect your mood, emotions, and energy levels. You can use colors to create harmony or contrast in your bedroom.
  2. Shapes: Shapes also influence the flow and quality of qi in your space. You can use shapes to emphasize or balance some aspects of your bedroom. For example, square or rectangular shapes can add Earth and stability to your bedroom. Or you can use round or oval shapes to add Metal and elegance to your bedroom.
  3. Materials: They are the physical manifestations of the five elements in Feng Shui and affect the texture and feel of your space. For instance, you can use wood or bamboo materials, like duvets or furniture, to add Wood and growth to your bedroom. Or you can use silk or cotton materials to add softness and coziness to your bedroom.
  4. Objects: They serve as symbols or reminders of your intentions and aspirations, and you can use them to activate or balance certain areas of your life, depending on your bagua map and Kua number. For example, you can use mirrors or crystals to activate wealth and abundance in your bedroom.

Step 6: Balance the Five Elements

5 Feng Shui Elements

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Now that you know your ideal Feng Shui decor elements, you want to balance them in the bedroom to create harmony and serenity. Remember the five elements; wood, fire, earth, metal, and water? Each has its own qualities and interacts with the other elements. So, how do you create equilibrium?

There are two ways of balancing the five elements in your bedroom for positive energy flow:

  1. The productive cycle – when one element feeds or nourishes another element positively. For example, wood feeds fire, fire creates earth, the earth produces metal, metal holds water, and water nourishes wood. You can use this cycle to enhance a specific element in your space by adding the element that feeds it. For example, if you want to add more fire elements to your room, you can add more wood elements.
  2. The controlling cycle – when one element controls or reduces another negatively. Since wood controls earth, earth controls water, water controls fire, fire controls metal, and metal controls wood; you can use this cycle to reduce an element in your space by adding one that controls it. For instance, if you want to reduce the water element in your bedroom, add more earth elements.

Step 7: Choose Feng Shui-Compliant Artwork and Symbols

Feng Shui-Compliant Artwork and Symbols

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The artwork and symbols you introduce in your bedroom should evoke positive, serene feelings. Avoid art that is sad, aggressive, or lonely. Instead, choose pieces that reflect joy, love, and tranquility.

Also, consider incorporating powerful Feng Shui symbols. For example, the Mandarin ducks symbolize love and commitment, perfect for encouraging romance. A Buddha statue can create peaceful and harmonious energy, while an image of a rising sun can denote hope and a fresh start every day.

Step 8: Determine Feng Shui Lighting and Mirror Placement

Lighting and mirrors are powerful tools that enhance the energy flow, visually expand a space, and improve the overall ambiance. But it’s essential to understand how to use them effectively.

I. Lighting

Feng Shui Lighting

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Lighting, particularly natural light, is a critical player in Feng Shui and carries the Fire element, which can significantly influence the mood of a room. Good lighting brings positivity and warmth and encourages a smooth flow of qi.

When installing lighting, go for soothing and adjustable lighting in your bedroom. Avoid harsh overhead lights and instead opt for layered lighting that includes ambient, task, and accent lights. Utilize dimmers to modify the intensity as needed and create a relaxed sleep atmosphere.

II. Mirrors

Feng Shui Mirrors

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In Feng Shui, mirrors symbolize the Water element; they reflect and expand energy. However, in a bedroom, their placement requires careful consideration.

Mirrors should never face the bed directly. According to Feng Shui experts, this can bounce energy around the room and disturb your rest. Instead, you can place a mirror inside a closet door or position it to reflect something calming, like a pleasant view or artwork.

Step 9: Managing Clutter for Positive Energy Flow

Managing Clutter for Positive Energy Flow

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One of the fundamental principles of Feng Shui is the unobstructed energy flow. A cluttered space can block this flow, resulting in a stagnant and low-energy environment. Therefore, managing clutter is vital to Feng Shui your bedroom.

Here are some Feng Shui tips to help you declutter:

  • Clear under the bed: The space under your bed should be empty to allow qi to circulate freely. If storage under the bed is unavoidable, ensure it’s organized and used for soft items like linens or clothing.
  • Tidy nightstands: Keep your nightstands clutter-free, and they should only hold essentials like a lamp, book, or alarm clock
  • Manage your wardrobe: Regularly clear out your closet and discard or donate clothes you no longer need or wear
  • Cleanliness is key: A clean space is a clear space, so regular cleaning can help keep clutter at bay
  • Use smart storage furniture like beds with built-in drawers, wardrobes with good organization systems, and cleverly placed shelves
  • Avoid overfilling your storage units: Just because clutter is out of sight doesn’t mean it isn’t affecting the energy of your spaces, so regularly clear out and organize them to keep the energy flowing freely.

Should You Have Plants in a Feng Shui Bedroom?

Should You Have Plants in a Feng Shui Bedroom?

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In traditional Feng Shui philosophy, keeping plants out of the bedroom is generally advised. The reason? Plants contain vibrant, active energy (Yang energy), which can conflict with the calm, restful energy (Yin energy) you want in a bedroom.

However, there are some exceptions and remedies for having plants in the bedroom if you love them or have no choice.

Opt for plants with rounded leaves (no sharp edges or spikes), and avoid placing them directly in line with your bed or where your feet point when you sleep. You can also use artificial plants instead of real ones, as they do not have the same energy or water needs as living plants.

Electronics in the Bedroom? A Feng Shui Perspective

Electronics in the Bedroom? A Feng Shui Perspective

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Electronics are also considered bad Feng Shui for the bedroom, as they belong to the Fire element, which has a stimulating and active energy that is not conducive to relaxation and sleep.

Therefore, avoid having any electronic devices in your bedroom, such as TVs, computers, phones, clocks, or radios. However, if you need them for practical reasons or personal preferences, you can follow some tips to minimize their negative effects.

For example, limit their usage before bedtime and keep them as far from your bed as possible. Consider using a screen or a cabinet to hide them when they’re not in use.

Conclusion: Restful Sleep with Good Feng Shui

A Feng Shui bedroom isn’t just about following ancient principles – it’s about creating a space that feels intuitively right and genuinely restful to you!

This article provides insights that’ll get you started when designing a restful space without requiring a certified Feng Shui consultant. As you do so, remember that Feng Shui respects change as an inevitable part of life. Your bedroom should adapt as your life does, reflecting your growth and evolution.

Also, consider how these principles can apply to the rest of your home and even to your life. After all, Feng Shui is all about harmonizing ourselves with the surrounding environment, a lesson that goes far beyond decor.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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