Feng Shui For Bedroom

Feng Shui is the ancient art of arranging one's environment to channel the natural forces in the most positive way possible. The subject sits on that fine line between common sense and mysticism.

There's enough feng shui wisdom around to fill this entire site! Since neither you nor I have time for that, here are a few introductory tips and ideas on how to enhance your bedroom through both choice of furniture and its layout.

Ideas and Tips

Many feng shui experts agree on the information and advice below, but as always these points are generalisations and my interpretations - I make no claims to be a feng shui master. What works for one person won't necessarily work for another. The only way you'll know is to try a tip and see how effective it is - as always, do whatever is best for you and let your instincts guide you.

• Clear Out the Clutter
  Many people keep their living areas spotless but allow their bedroom to become a jungle of discarded clothes, bedding and luggage! Clutter represents blocked chi. Even if we don't think we notice it, the mess will nag at our minds and disturb us. If you really can't get rid of all the junk and don't have sufficient bedroom storage then you could at least want to buy a screen to partition off a storage area.
• Look at the Decor
  If you're having trouble sleeping, stop for a second and look at the decor and the general tone of your interior design. Is the bedroom decorated in bright colours with loud designs? Do the walls seem to be shouting at you? If so then perhaps that's contributing to your insomnia. Of course, there are times when you want your bedroom to be an exciting, active place. Perhaps consider decorating the room in a quiet, pastel motif whilst keeping loud, stimulating hangings and accessories out of site so they can be easily erected as necessary.
• Beware the Dragons
  Dragons are a particular example of decor and many people have dragon symbols in their bedroom. Dragons are a powerful Yang force. Whilst they have their uses, they are not conducive to a good night's sleep. If you want dragons in the bedroom then you might like to buy pictures or wall hangings that can be put up when desired and removed when not in use.
• Position Your Bed Carefully
  The arrangement of the bed is an important part of bedroom feng shui - after all, it's where you spend the night. Your bed should be positioned against a sturdy wall. Avoid aligning it directly with a door. Apart from the feng shui problems this causes, you could be in for a draft! If you must align the bed with a door, consider some sort of ceiling hanging to break the line. Above all, do not sleep with your feet facing the door - this is known in Feng Shui as the "coffin position".
• Mirrors
  There's nothing intrinsically wrong with mirrors in a bedroom, however they should be carefully arranged. The basic advice is to avoid positioning them where you can see your own face whilst in bed. If you have a wall mounted one that you can't move, considering covering it when it isn't in use.
• Move Your Gym
  Many people seem to use their bedrooms as a home gym. They have all sorts of exercise equipment laying around. Consider for a minute your rowing machine or exercise bike. What does it make you think of? Relaxation and peace? Or hard work and activity? Exactly. So if you want to sleep better, consider moving your home gym to a different room of the house - or at least finding some way to screen the equipment from the bed.