Feng Shui bedroom layout rules claim to improve sleep, wellbeing and relationships. But what mistakes do the experts say you should avoid so that bedtimes don't become bad times?
Avoid Feng shui bedroom layout mistakes in order to promote better sleep(Image credit: Andrew Martin)
Whether you're a true believer or slightly sceptical, Feng Shui bedroom layout rules are believed to promote things most of us aspire to – good sleep, a sense of wellbeing and positive relationships.
And while it's easy enough to use colour, layout, furniture and lighting to create a cocoon-like bedroom design that should encourage rest, what if you could improve everything with just a few simple tweaks? After all, the thought of a good night's sleep is something that appeals to us all.
Keen to help you make the most of your self-build, extension or renovation plans, we've asked experts for the Feng Shui bedroom layout mistakes to avoid to help you create a bedroom you don't just dream of – but happily dream in.
Feng Shui bedroom layout – the basic Feng Shui principles
The practise of Feng Shui is based on the Chinese belief that we are all connected to and influenced by our surroundings. At the core of the process is getting the best balance between Qi (energy), yin and yang, the five elements (water, wood, fire, earth and metal), man and nature.
When it comes to your bedroom ideas, getting your Feng Shui bedroom layout right will depend on what stage of the process you are at. If you're undertaking a self-build or double storey extension, you could use the principles to guide your window and door locations.
Or, if you're just considering a renovation project, expert advice on where to place your bed and what kind of fixtures and fittings to use could all help improve your overall bedroom layout ideas.
1. Position your bed correctly
As the main item of furniture, where you place your bed is an important decision in the world of Feng Shui. While you may have limited options when it comes to small bedroom ideas, there are a number of Feng Shui bedroom layout mistakes you should try to avoid.
Eve Kruavit, APDO member and Founder of Holistic Space Designexplains how the bed should always be placed in a 'command position' as shown in the following illustration.
The command position is the most important of the Feng Shui bedroom layout rules (Image credit: Holistic Space Design)
"In Feng Shui, it is believed that the "command position" is the best position that empowers and supports you, the homeowner. It is the ideal spot to place your key furniture (e.g. bed, sofa, desk) where you have a solid wall behind you for protection and support, while also having a clear view of the entrance to the room," says Eve.
"This means you can see who is walking in and out (i.e. be aware of any potential threats) without being disturbed by the flow of Qi or energy entering the room. "If you refer to the illustration," says Eve, "the green ticks indicate beds placed against the wall with full protection and support.
When it comes to your headboard, "a big solid headboard will also help you feel more grounded if you often feel anxious or insecure," says Eve.
"The ideal position for a bed is diagonally opposite the door, raised slightly off the floor and positioned with a solid wall behind," agrees Marlena Kaminska, designer at ValueLights who worked with Ryan Terren, Feng Shui consultant at LifeHouse to offer advice.
If you want to obtain balance and encourage restful sleep,other mistakes to avoid are putting your bed on the same wall as your door, or pushing your bed up against the side of a wall.
"It is also advisable to avoid placing the bed under a window," advises Adam Brown, director of The Painted Furniture Company, "unless the window can be completely covered with drapery at bedtime."
If you can't avoid your bed by windows, cover them with shutters or heavy drapes (Image credit: Neptune)
Eve Kruavit
Eve combines Marie Kondo’s transformative approach to tidying and the art of Feng Shui and intentional design to help transform client's homes.
Marlena Kaminska
Marlena is a dynamic digital designer with a background in interior design. Taking a lead design role at home lighting brand ValueLights, Marlena merges her interior design expertise with her digital design prowess to bring innovation and style to the world of lighting.
Adam Brown
Adam and his wife Rosy, launched The Painted Furniture Company in 2010 when they decided they wanted to move away from bland furniture and swap more traditional lacquer for paint.
On a whim they asked one of their oak collection suppliers to paint a few pieces, and with that their new company was born.
2. Consider your window and door locations
If you are the early concept stages of deciding what bedroom window ideas you like, "floor-to-ceiling windows should absolutely be avoided if your are adopting a Feng Shui bedroom layout," says Adam Brown.
"Regarding windows in the bedroom, they should also ideally not be directly opposite the door," adds Eve Kruavit, "as it is believed that good energy entering the room will leak out through the window.
"However, there are remedies for this when it is not possible to move the window or door, which is when a consultation with a qualified Feng Shui Design Consultant can be helpful," says Eve, "because a specific remedy may be needed depending on the room's location on the floor plan."
Eve cites an example where a client's room was small and they were unable to change the positioning of the door or window. Instead, she suggested they hang a multifaceted lead crystal by the window to help disperse the Qi that enters the door and prevent it from leaking.
"The bed should also not be directly opposite the door," adds Eve, "but if you cannot move the door, you can place a storage trunk or something solid at the end of the bed to create a partition between the door and the bed."
Although floor to ceiling windows offer a view, they aren't considered a positive in Feng Shui (Image credit: Iliv)
3. Avoid using mirrors
As tempting as it may be to use mirrored wardrobe fronts if you're weighing up the balance of fitted wardrobes vs freestanding, mirrors are something our experts are all keen to avoid in Feng Shui bedroom layout ideas.
"Too many mirrors cause the energy to be too chaotic, which is not good for sleep," says Sarah A McAllister, Founding Director of the Feng Shui Agency, Master of Classical Feng Shui and Wellness Design Visionary.
Stephany Aubrey, brand specialist at Zinus, explains more. "Feng shui practices offer varying perspectives on the role of mirrors in the bedroom. Some suggest avoiding them altogether, while others recommend positioning them away from the bed. This advice is rooted in the notion that mirrors have the power to reflect and intensify both positive and negative energy, potentially interfering with sleep quality."
Avoid hanging mirrors in places which can reflect onto the bed is Adam Brown's top tip, with Eve Kruavit offering some practical advice. "If you’re unable to remove them, you can spray frost on the mirror to cover it up."
Try to avoid using mirrors which reflect back the bed in your bedroom layout (Image credit: French Bedroom)
Sarah A McAllister
Sarah is the founder of the Feng Shui Agency, one of the UK’s longest established London Feng Shui consultancies.
4. Light in pairs
“You should strive to create symmetry throughout your bedroom if you're adopting Feng Shui bedroom layout principles," says Marlena Kaminska, and the same applies to bedroom lighting ideas. "The principle of balance is especially important to consider on either side of your bed," says Marlena, "where you should leave enough room on either side of the bed for a bedside table and matching table lamps.
“Incorrect positioning of your bedside table lamps not only makes them less effective to use but may also throw off your room’s overall harmony," adds Marlena. "This applies to the size, height, colour and brightness of your table lamps.”
Don't make the mistake of not matching bedside tables and lamps (Image credit: The French Bedroom)
“Bulb temperature is also one of the most important parts of lighting for your home and will shape how each room feels," adds Marlena. "A good place to start when thinking about which bulb temperature to use is to think about mood.
“We associated blue cool-toned lighting with alertness, openness, and awareness – the antithesis to the energy you want to create in a bedroom.”
Marlena explains that “having lighting that matches the requirements of each room fosters a sense of balance between you and your home, inviting in a positive energy that will instantly make you feel calmer.”
Focusing on soft, diffused lighting from natural-coloured lampshades and warm-toned bulbs works best for positive Feng Shui bedroom energy.
5. Choose your storage well
As with all rooms, avoiding clutter is key to the success of your Feng Shui bedroom layout plans for encouraging a good night's sleep.
If your bedroom storage ideas require you finding homes for lots of items, you may be considering an ottoman or divan bed. "For beds with under-bed storage due to limited space, try your best to keep it neat and tidy," says Eve Kruavit.
Avoiding dust and clutter is essential, with APDO member, Jane Lee, advising that if your bedroom doubles up as a home office space, try to remove paperwork and computers – all of which are considered 'energetic' items, into another room at night time if possible.
If you're looking at bedroom wardrobe ideas, try to avoid the mistake of putting cupboards over the bed, says Sarah A McAllister, "as these cause a subconscious sense of oppression and can cause headaches."
Keep the space above your bed cupboard-free (Image credit: Andrew Martin)
6. Separate your bedroom and bathroom
Although ending your day with a relaxing soak may be appealing, the advice surrounding bath in bedroom ideas isn't for you if you want to adopt a Feng Shui bedroom layout.
"Jacuzzis or large baths in front of the bed, should be in a separate bathroom," says Sarah M McAllister, who also shares a word of caution regarding open plan ensuite bathroom ideas.
"Beds backing on to a wall with double wash basins in an open plan bathroom are not stable enough," says Sarah, "as the draining water creates movement."
Eve Kruavit even goes as far to say water representation should be excluded from your bedroom decor ideas.
"Remove anything that represents water, from aquariums and water fountains to mirrors and black or navy blue-coloured bedding and decor, if you're unable to sleep at night," says Eve.
Baths in bedrooms are classed as a mistake in Feng Shui bedroom layout plans (Image credit: BC Designs)
Keen to add more Feng Shui priniciples to your bedroom to promote rest and relationships whether you're searching out master bedroom ideas or inhabit your room on a solo basis? Eve Kruavit shares some additional top tips.
For couples, have no family photos or anything else but you and your partner in the bedroom to promote romantic energy
For singles, find artwork that symbolises love, such as two lovebirds, to attract the kind of relationship you desire. Avoid photos of just yourself or anything that may symbolise independence
To attract love, place rose quartz in the love corner (as you enter the bedroom, it’s the top-right corner of the room)
To offer more balance and grounding, place an amethyst crystal on each bedside table
Avoid keeping sharp objects in the bedroom. Plant lovers: remove any spiky plants, such as cacti and snake plants, from the bedroom
To create balance and harmony, decorate in pairs and ensure the items are of the same design
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Sarah is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Assistant Editor and joined the team in 2024. An established homes and interiors writer, Sarah has renovated and extended a number of properties, including a listing building and renovation project that featured on Grand Designs. Although she said she would never buy a listed property again, she has recently purchased a Grade II listed apartment. As it had already been professionally renovated, she has instead set her sights on tackling some changes to improve the building’s energy efficiency, as well as adding some personal touches to the interior.
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