Feng Shui Bedroom Layout: Best Bed Positions & More

The ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui is all about creating balance and harmony in our living spaces. And one of the most important spaces in our homes is the bedroom - where we spend a significant portion of our time resting and rejuvenating.

So if you're looking to improve the energy flow in your bedroom, it’s important to follow the rules of Feng Shui and be purposeful about the placement of furniture in your space. Here are some Feng Shui dos and don’ts to consider when creating your serene retreat.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui, literally translated to ‘wind water’, is an ancient Chinese practice that aims to create balance and harmony in our living spaces. It is based on the belief that everything in the universe is made up of energy, and that this energy, or chi, can have a powerful impact on our lives.

By arranging our bedroom in a way that optimizes the flow of chi - such as playing around with the colors, furniture placement, and natural elements - we can create a more harmonious environment that promotes health, wealth, and happiness.

Why follow Feng Shui bedroom rules?

While some people might feel that Feng Shui is a gimmick, many have found that following simple bedroom placement Feng Shui layouts and principles can have a significant impact on the quality of your sleep and create a comfortable space for you to rest.

This in turn affects your overall well-being. Here are some reasons why Feng Shui in the bedroom is so important:

Promotes restful sleep

The layout and arrangement of your bedroom can have a significant impact on your sleep quality. Following best practices such as the best bed position for Feng Shui, can help create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere that promotes restful sleep.

Improves health

A well-designed bedroom can promote good health and well-being by reducing stress levels, improving air quality, and promoting restful sleep. Learning how to arrange your bedroom according to Feng Shui principles can help to create a space that supports your physical and emotional health.

Reduces anxiety

Clutter and disorganization in your bedroom can create a sense of chaos and anxiety. When people ask “How do I Feng Shui my bedroom?”, one of the first recommendations is to minimize clutter. By creating a space that is tidy, organized, and free from clutter, you can promote a sense of calm and reduce feelings of anxiety and stress.

Boosts energy levels

Learning how to arrange a bedroom according to Feng Shui can help to create a space that is conducive to positive energy flow, which can improve your mood, increase your energy levels, and promote overall vitality. Doing something as simple as following the best bed position for Feng Shui and other pieces of furniture can help to balance out the chi to enhance wellness.

Feng Shui bedroom layout

The focal point of Feng Shui bedroom layouts is, naturally, the bed. The best bed positon for Feng Shui is to place the bed against a solid wall, diagonally across from the door. You also want to ensure equal space on either side of the bed. This placement allows for a clear view of the door and creates a sense of safety and security.

Here’s what an ideal Feng Shui bedroom layout would look like:

The ideal Feng Shui bedroom layout.

The best Feng Shui bedroom tips: How to arrange your bedroom

Lean your bed against a wall

In Feng Shui, it is believed that the bed is the most important part of the bedroom. This is why it is so important to understand the best bed position for Feng Shui before you buy a bed.

The ideal Feng Shui bedroom layout places the bed leaning against something sturdy like a wall to provide a sense of security and support. This is said to help reduce energy flow, creating a more peaceful and restful environment that makes you feel stable and grounded.

Use a headboard

Similarly, a solid headboard provides a sense of stability and support, making you feel grounded and secure. Choose a headboard that is made from a solid material such as wood, metal, or upholstered fabric. Also, choose one that has curved edges over sharp edges to avoid the ‘cutting’ negative energy in the bedroom.

Platform beds are also a good option as they have a low profile and provide a solid base for your mattress.

Balance your space with nightstands

If you have the space for it, it’s highly recommended to invest in nightstands to place on each side of the bed. These furniture pieces provide a grounding effect by anchoring the energy of the bed to the surrounding environment.

Additionally, you can use the extra surface space to incorporate other elements of Feng Shui such as plants and crystals to enhance the energy flow.

You can also use a small bedroom dresser in place of a nightstand. However, do take note that whether you choose a dresser or nightstand, Feng Shui principles advise using matching furniture pieces on both sides of the bed to create balance and equality in your bedroom.

Balance the elements

In Feng Shui, five main elements are rooted in the idea of achieving equilibrium. Each element - Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water - represents specific quantities and energies. 

Balancing them ensures no single force dominates - creating a tranquil space, which is particularly important for the bedroom. 

However, don’t include the water element in your bedroom as it’s believed to bring bad luck. 

Here are some ways to incorporate the four elements in your room:

• Wood element: Wooden furniture like bed frames, nightstands, or dressers
  
  

• Fire element: Scented candles or bright-colored accent pillows
  
  

• Earth element: Select furniture and decor made from natural materials like stone or clay
  
  

• Metal element: Decorative metal elements in the form of frames, sculptures, or accessories 

Use soft lighting

Harsh, bright lighting can be too stimulating and disrupt your sleep. Instead, opt for soft, ambient lighting that creates a relaxing atmosphere. You can use lamps and dimmer switches to adjust the lighting to your liking. Soft lighting can also help to reduce stress levels and promote relaxation.

Incorporate natural elements

When you're shopping for bedroom furniture, try looking for pieces with natural materials like wood.

Natural elements such as plants, natural fabrics, and materials like wood and stone can help to bring the outdoors inside and promote a sense of tranquility and calmness.

Here are some ways you can add natural elements to your bedroom:

• Use woven laundry baskets
  
  

• Add potted plants to your space
  
  

• Opt for wooden nightstands or chairs
  
  

• Choose a headboard made of wood or rattan
  
  

These elements will help to promote a connection with nature, which can have a positive impact on your well-being.

Keep work life separate

Another key Feng Shui tip is to avoid having your work desk in the bedroom. Even though working from home has become the norm and many people have office desks in their bedrooms, keeping work-related items in your bedroom can create a sense of stress and anxiety. This makes it difficult to relax and have a restful sleep.

That's why keeping your work life out of the bedroom is highly recommended. This includes laptops, paperwork, and files, as well as other items related to work. If you have limited space in your home, try to find a dedicated workspace outside of your bedroom where you can store these items.

Keep exercise equipment out of the bedroom

Exercise equipment can be large and bulky, which can create heaviness and clutter in the bedroom. Exercising in your bedroom can also be noisy and create unrest, especially if you’re doing high-impact exercises like jumping jacks or running on the treadmill.

Gym equipment and the act of exercising has ‘yang’ energy, which is described as fast-moving, loud, and active. Having all this energy in an area where you want more ‘yin’ energy (slow and cool) disrupts the energy flow, creating an unbalanced environment.

Ensure your ottoman is not an obstruction

In Feng Shui, the placement of an ottoman should enhance the flow of chi within the bedroom without creating obstructions.

Feng Shui bedroom principles dictate that you should position your ottoman in a way that supports relaxation and accessibility, such as at the foot of the bed or in a cozy nook for reading.

Avoid placing it in an area where it will block the room's entry or the natural path around the bed, maintaining clear passages for energy flow. This thoughtful placement contributes to a harmonious Feng Shui bedroom layout that invites tranquility and balance.

Place your dresser against a solid wall

The best bedroom placement for dressers according to Feng Shui is a position that is accessible yet unobtrusive to the flow of energy within the room.

Ideally, you should place the dresser against a solid wall and ensure it is positioned either to the side of the bed or at a perpendicular angle, rather than at the foot or directly facing the bed.

This arrangement prevents the dresser from becoming a focal point when lying in bed, which is considered bad Feng Shui for the bedroom as it may subconsciously lead to restlessness.

Bad Feng Shui for the bedroom: What to avoid

Don’t place mirrors facing the bed

This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when planning the layout of your room. While mirrors are certainly a bedroom essential, they are believed to reflect and amplify energy, which can be disruptive to restful sleep.

Avoid using mirrors that face the bed, as this can create unease or discomfort. If you must use a mirror in your bedroom, make sure it is placed out of sight or in a location where it cannot reflect the bed.

Don’t position your bed in direct line with the door

Another important Feng Shui rule is to place your bed diagonally so you can still see your door, but you’re not right in front of it. In Feng Shui, the direct line of sight between the door and the bed is known as the ‘Death Position’ because it is believed to create vulnerability and restlessness.

Placing your bed diagonally to the door in the commanding position can help avoid the ‘Death Position’ and promote safety and security. It also helps balance the flow of energy in your bedroom, preventing it from rushing straight out the door.

Don’t position your bed below beams or air conditioners

Positioning your bed directly below beams or air conditioners can create a feeling of pressure and discomfort. As beams are considered heavy and oppressive in Feng Shui, try to move your bed away from them. If it’s not possible, use a canopy or drapes to soften the visual impact and create a sense of protection.

Air conditioners create a downward flow of air, and the heating or cooling of the air disrupts your chi. It is believed by Feng Shui masters that the direct flow of air from the air conditioner can consume your energy and cause the decline of body immunity. Hence, it’s good practice to move your bed to a different position or have the vents blow air in another direction so that they are not blowing directly onto your bed.

Don’t clutter your bedroom

When you ask “What is bad Feng Shui for the bedroom?”, clutter is often one of the first answers on any list. Clutter can create stagnant energy and disrupt the flow of chi in your bedroom.

Keeping your space tidy and organized is essential for a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere. To combat clutter, consider incorporating a small dresser or a sleek nightstand to store frequently used items within reach. For bulkier items like bedding, a storage bed can be an ideal solution to maintain a tidy space.

Avoid placing electronics in your bedroom

This is a tough one, but Feng Shui masters would unanimously advise you to keep electronics out of the bedroom - including your mobile phones!

Electronics like TVs, computers, and phones emit electromagnetic radiation that can disrupt your sleep and create negative energy in your space. Keep them out of your bedroom, or at least turn them off before you go to bed.

You can also use shielding devices to block electromagnetic fields if you must have electronics in your bedroom. By keeping electronics out of your bedroom, you can create a peaceful and calming atmosphere that promotes restful sleep.

Don’t place sharp objects in the bedroom

Sharp or pointed objects, such as knives, swords, or plants with sharp leaves, are considered to be bad Feng Shui as they are believed to create negative energy in a room. Avoid having these items in your bedroom, as they can create a sense of tension or discomfort.

If they must be placed in the bedroom, keep them out of plain sight like storing them in your dresser or wardrobe.

Avoid busy patterns

Bedroom layouts in Feng Shui are all about maximizing the room’s ability to provide rest and rejuvenation. That's why busy patterns on your bedding is considered bad Feng Shui for a bedroom, as these can create overstimulation and make it difficult to relax and sleep. Stick to simple, calming patterns and colors to promote a more peaceful environment.

Besides bedding, this rule extends to the rest of your bedroom furniture as well. When you shop for bedroom furniture, avoid buying individual pieces that can result in a mismatched look like different bedside tables. Instead, consider buying a bedroom set that makes it easy to get a cohesive look.

Recommended read: Are Matching Bedroom Sets Outdated?

Avoid having water fountains or artworks of water

Water is a symbol of abundance and wealth, and it is generally considered good to have water elements in the home. However, placing water features in your bedroom is considered bad Feng Shui.

Having too much of the water element is believed to wash away any warmth and bring negative energy in form of worry into the bedroom.

Feng Shui principles offer a holistic approach to designing a harmonious and balanced bedroom environment that can improve your overall health and well-being. But, it is essential to note that Feng Shui is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and you should adapt the principles to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Understanding the principles behind the best feng shui bedroom layouts

Feng Shui principles offer a holistic approach to designing a harmonious and balanced bedroom layout that can improve your overall health and well-being.

By implementing simple tips like proper bed placement, selecting appropriate furniture, and creating a clutter-free space, you can create a peaceful and relaxing environment that promotes restful sleep and good energy flow.