Feng Shui Decorating

Bedroom Feng Shui

The art of Feng Shui is a complex design philosophy, and there are many aspects to consider when designing a bedroom. Some tips are intended for everyone, and others are tailored to individuals.

An example of this would be individually tailoring advice based on your "Kua" number, and element, which are assigned to you based on the year of your birth and on your gender. Your kua number determines the directions that are auspicious and inauspicious for you, and so helps you to pick which bedroom in the house you should sleep in, and which way to orient your bed within that room. The element that is particular to you should be prominent in your bedroom so that the "Qi" (pronounced Chi, and meaning vital force) is increased by the resonance between you and your element. For more information on these subjects, read the article entitled The Use of the Kua Chart in Feng Shui.

There are some important do's and don'ts for anyone conscious of Feng Shui when designing a bedroom. These eleven tips are meant for everyone, regardless of the year of their birth or their gender:

  1. Air and Qi should be able to circulate freely under your bed. This means a preference for beds with legs, rather than for those with a box frame. It also means keeping that space clean and clear, rather than using the space under the bed for storage.
  2. Bed's should be placed so that the head is supported by a wall, or a solid curtain to simulate the support of a wall.
  3. When lying in bed, your feet should not point out the door, as this is considered to be a death sign in China, where bodies awaiting cremation are carried out the door feet first.
  4. You should be able to see the door when you sit up in bed, giving you a sense of control over who and what enters.
  5. When sitting up in bed, you should not be looking at your reflection in a mirror. The Chinese think of this as startling to the the soul, which is thought to leave the body during sleep.
  6. If the wind coming through a window sweeps over the bed before going out the door, it is considered a jeopardy to your health. If the window is directly opposite the door, then the Qi enters the room and immediately flies out without circulating to empower the occupants. Hanging a wind chime from the ceiling so that it dangles between the window and door, moderates the flow of Qi, and helps the Qi to stay in the room and nourish the occupants.
  7. If a door faces a wall, and the wall is closer than the occupants are tall, then a mirror placed on that wall helps the Qi from becoming obstructed.
  8. The door should be able to open all 90 degrees. If it can't, this signifies blocked opportunities.
  9. One should not sleep directly under an exposed beam, as that would signify oppression.
  10. If there is a bathroom adjacent to your bedroom, the head of the bed should not share a wall with the toilet.
  11. Be sure that there are no sharp corners aiming at you when you lie in bed. For instance, a vanity table placed so that the table's corner points at the bed, is considered to be sending a "poison arrow" at the occupants. This will not help you to relax.

You spend a third of your life in bed, so using Feng Shui to create a serene and healthful environment to rest and rejuvenate in, is important. Take the time to plan your design, and you may save a lot of time later by living harmoniously and well.