Feng shui is the Chinese philosophy that focuses on how items are arranged in a room. According to basic feng shui principles, behaviours, actions, moods, and circumstances are driven by unseen forces. The goal is to balance items in a room with the natural world to create positive energies.
You can apply feng shui principles to any room. However, many people choose to start with the bedroom because of its potential impact on your total wellbeing. Here are some bedroom feng shui tips you can start applying today that may lead to better nights (and days).
First and foremost, feng shui emphasises minimalism. Everything has a purpose, leaving little room for excess or items that aren’t contributing to the environment. This is why decluttering is such an essential first step into feng shui.
Remove visible, non-essential items from your dresser, bedside tables, and other furniture. Make sure clothes are contained and not left lingering on the floor. Clean out from under your bed and avoid using that space as storage. When you have fewer things to absorb or redirect the energy in your room, the energy can serve you better.
Light is a powerful manifestation of energy. Allow natural light to flow into the room during the day by opening blinds or curtains. When it’s dark outside, use low-level lamps or candles to light the space instead of a harsh overhead light.
When many people think of feng shui, arranging the furniture often comes to mind. Placement of the bed is of particular importance, since this is the most focal piece in the room. According to feng shui, the bed should be placed in a “command” position, which is directly facing the door but not aligned with it.
When you’re lying in bed, you should be able to see the door with ease. The idea is that as you’re resting, there’s no risk of possible intrusion without you knowing about it. It increases your sense of security, which can help to reduce cortisol (the stress hormone). You should also have equal space on both sides of your bed, rather than pushing your bed into a corner.
In addition, you should have two bedside tables, one on each side of the bed, and a bedhead. The bedside tables promote balance, while a bedhead represents feelings of support. Select a sturdy wooden bedhead, with no holes or bars. This symbolises solidity, is grounding, and can stabilise you in bed.
Decorate sparingly with a calming artwork in a colour scheme that contributes to positive energy. For example, greens, blues, and yellows emphasise health, family, and nature.
Not too surprising, TVs, laptops, mobile phones, and WiFi have no place in bedroom feng shui, as they emit electromagnetic fields. Ideally, the bedroom serves a single purpose: a place for you to sleep. Glaring screens can disturb sleep, plus they give off the wrong energy and can increase stress. Pick up a book, listen to soothing music, and let your mind relax and unwind.
Though many feng shui enthusiasts put a lot of focus on furniture arrangement, it also encompasses everything you bring into a space. This includes the items you use to clean with, from dusting to vacuuming to scenting the air.
Maintaining a healthy energy balance means using non-toxic cleaning products. Using natural, eco-friendly cleaners (think baking soda and vinegar, for example) can help you detoxify your space without sacrificing a quality, thorough cleaning.
You can also trade store-bought air fresheners for essential oils and a diffuser. Calming scents like lavender, patchouli, and chamomile can promote relaxation at the end of a long day, which might help you get a better night’s sleep.
Another part of bedroom feng shui includes switching to organic materials. Trading your bedsheets for organic cotton linens, for example, are breathable. They feel good against your skin and can help you from getting too hot or too cold while you sleep. The general rule is to choose sheets with a thread count between 200 and 400. The higher the thread count, the softer the sheets.
No one can sleep well when they’re too hot or too cold, and a simple switch can do wonders for your sleep. bedsmade uses organic cotton to create high-quality sheets that aligns with basic feng shui principles. What’s more, our revolutionary design has made it faster and easier than ever to make your bed every morning to maintain harmony in your bedroom. Learn more about how bedsmade works and include them in your bedroom feng shui strategy!