Position your bed in a commanding position where you can see the door without being directly in line with it. Use a solid headboard and avoid placing the bed under a window or against a bathroom wall. Make sure there is space on both sides of the bed to allow for balance and easy movement. Avoid overhead pressure from beams, sloped ceilings, or heavy décor above the bed.
Call it philosophy or call it a superstition, but feng shui has left a marked impact on the way we arrange our homes – it’s just that many interior design devotees remain unaware.
Yes, this ancient Chinese art of spatial planning and arranging furniture for spiritual harmony has a surprising overlap with traditional interior design principles. And while I’m not a believer myself, I’ve found that taking a leaf from this aeons-old book and then blitzing it up with tried-and-tested contemporary decorating rules makes for wonderfully restorative spaces.
In the bedroom, specifically, feng shui’s suggestions on where to put the bed can help maximise the tranquillity and comfort you experience every morning and night. So, here I’m going to share my favourite bed placement techniques that get the Taoist seal of approval. Now, let’s start balancing that “qi”!
Contents:
· Feng Shui in the Bedroom & Where to Put the Bed
o Avoid Bathroom Wall Placements
o Dimensions & Storage Considerations
o Decorating Behind Your Headboard
· Bonus Bedroom Feng Shui Tips
You’ve probably heard of feng shui before; after all, it’s been a mainstay in lifestyle magazines for almost as long as other imported, equally deep-rooted, wellness trends like yoga or hygge. But behind all of the mysticism, what actually is it?
Literally translating to “wind-water” (fēng = wind, shuǐ = water), it’s an ancient Chinese practice rooted in early Taoism. Fixated on harnessing “qi” (pronounced ‘chee’), or the life force inhabiting every object, feng shui practitioners seek to create harmony by balancing energy forces, like yin and yang, and the elements.
In practice, this means following a set of cosmically governed rules whilst designing environments, in architecture, interior design, furniture arrangement, and even town planning. The aim is to redirect and improve the flow of qi, thereby fostering spiritual and physical wellness in those spaces.
Although the history is murky, there is evidence to suggest that this tradition was being practised in agricultural settlements and burial sites as far back as 4,000–6,000 years. Today, however, the custom often comes neatly folded into popular interior design, given their shared focus on space flow, decluttering, design psychology and connecting interiors with nature.
Although feng shui extends much further than mere bed placement, because the discipline is primarily shaped through spatial planning and orientation, we’re going to take a close look at where to place the bed.
I mean, it’s the star of the show; where we start and end the day, and spend up to one third of our lives. Also, as the largest piece of bedroom furniture by a long way, its position has a tangible impact on how we experience and feel in the space. That latter point is all the difference between a fitful night and 8 uninterrupted hours of beauty sleep.
What struck me immediately when I came across this concept was how closely it resembled past advice I’d given to customers at our furniture showroom.
Simply put, the ‘command position’ is the spot in an interior where you’re facing the door but not in its direct line of sight. So, in a bedroom, you ideally want your bed to sit diagonal to the exit, your feet splayed towards the adjacent wall when you’re tucked in under the covers.
In feng shui, this is said to facilitate a comforting ambience that grounds the inhabitant and connects them to the positive qi buzzing around. It also shields you from the infamous energy-sapping ‘coffin position’: the layout wherein the sleeper lies facing the door bang-on.
From a design psychology standpoint, it makes complete sense: removing the looming presence of the exit from our immediate view helps alleviate distractions and makes us feel less exposed, both things not exactly conducive to a good night’s sleep. At the same time, we retain a sense of control, able to see who is coming and going without that ‘deer-in-the-headlights’ moment.
Of course, in many bedroom layouts – particularly those with multiple doors – the command position just isn’t possible. In this case, mirrors are a handy correction tool. For instance, if you’re stuck with an L-shaped layout with two doors, there’s only really two places you can put the bed. Here, I recommend hanging a mirror where it reflects a glimpse of the door so you can benefit from a similar effect.
Be warned, it’s best to angle it in such a way that you don’t give yourself a jump scare. Yep, waking up in the middle of the night and catching your own reflection can be unexpectedly unnerving. Plus, it’s not considered good feng shui, the reflective surface inviting in the presence of a third person, or even draining the reflected person’s energy.
If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where your bed feels a little ‘off’, a touch aimless, chances are there’s something wrong with the scale. Without a sizable enough presence in the space, it gets drowned out, leading to an awkward, ungainly look.
An immediate solution, which doesn’t require you to head out and purchase an entirely new bed (although you’re welcome to), is to find a substantial headboard to anchor the piece within the interior. An immediate remedy to an ever-so-slightly undersized bed, yet also a feng shui classic, this wards away bad vibes at your back, not to mention draughts and discomfort if you do bump your head backwards.
Another thing: avoid putting the bed directly in front of a window. As far as spiritual misdeeds go, this tops many feng shui gurus’ list for qi mismanagement: positive energy can unwittingly flow outwards and negative seep in, which detracts from the clarity and calm. On a practical note, it’s just plain awkward and bound to disrupt your rest due to drafts, street sounds, light, and, of course, the privacy implications of sleeping with your head beside the glass.
Another feng shui no-no is placing your bed along an adjoining bathroom wall – and, here, architects and interior designers can agree. Wall thickness and sleeper type depending, the sound of water dripping or the extractor fan softly whirring can impede the resident’s slumber, all the while life energy slips away through the bathroom drainage.
Remember the point about the command position? Well, this still stands. Try to avoid placing the bed directly within the sightline of the en suite door, if at all possible. Unavoidable? Then allow me to point you towards my zoning guide – with a few strategically placed pieces (think: a shelving unit or bookcase), you can limit your field of vision without having to resort to partitions or walls.
For couples, ample space on each side of the bed is non-negotiable. This will allow you to roll out of bed to the sound of your alarm, or to tiptoe for a 1am glass of water, without noisily stubbing your toe on a hastily squashed-in dresser.
According to bedroom feng shui, it’s equally spiritually nourishing. Gaps on either side are said to bring equilibrium between opposing yin and yang forces, which fosters good health and repose. Conversely, pushing the bed up against the walls is a recipe for overstimulation, since it sets off a rapid flow of qi to accumulate around your pillow.
Another curious principle to potentially keep in mind is a northward sleeping orientation, with your head pointed to the top of the compass whilst tucked in. Feng shui asserts that this position mirrors the natural flow of the Earth’s magnetic field, thus promoting deeper, more restful sleep. Bizarrely, a handful of studies have found that this north-south position correlates with longer sleep durations, better quality sleep, and even lower blood pressure – but do take that with a grain of salt!
Mountains of clutter make for bad karma, or in this scenario, bad qi. As such, dealing with the mess should be your prerogative from the start.
Luckily, there exist plenty of nifty in-built solutions: bedframes with ample room beneath for wicker baskets and storage trunks, or beds with pull-out drawers and storage compartments. Be sure to keep these bits and bobs concealed, for your own peace of mind, not just for the sake of unbalanced life energy.
As for dimensions, here are my recommendations:
· Small Single (2’6” x 6’3”) – For younger children, especially as a first bed
· Single (3’ x 6’3”) – An optimal choice for children, but also suitable for a single adult
· Small Double or Queen (4’ x 6’3”) – Comfy options for a single adult or a couple in a small room.
· Double (4’6” x 6’3”) – The go-to baseline for couples
· King (5’ x 6’6”) – A roomy pick for couples that want a little extra comfort
· Super King (6’ x 6’6”) – Only suitable in larger bedrooms and an indulgent choice.
In terms of clearance, 65cm from the wall would be my absolute lowest suggestion in a pinch, whereas 75cm provides more comfortable circulation.
When newbies ask where to put the bed for feng shui purposes, specialists will often discourage homeowners from placing it where the headroom is limited. The reason being that placing a bed under a sloped ceiling, beams, or other overhead obstacles creates oppressive "downward pressure," and ensuing sleep issues, stress, or headaches.
According to feng shui consultant Cliff Tan, there are many workarounds. In the clip above, he explains that placing your bed along the short side of the room, with a side table behind as a backstop, can visually open up the space with some strategic bedroom lighting.
For additional tips, be sure to take a look at my recent blog on attic room design ideas.
By the same token as the tip above, overloading the wall above your bed can spell serious downward pressure. Therefore, it’s best to play things simple and light-touch. If the space feels flat, you can always opt for panelled walls in a bid to instil a depth of texture, or install a thin shelf with only a select few accessories that don’t command too much attention.
A common misconception with feng shui is that it’s just about layouts. If you really want a cohesive grasp of bedroom feng shui, however, you’ll need to explore further than bed placement. The quality of materials and structure of the piece are equally weighted considerations.
Besides the bedframe, of which solid wood presents a natural opportunity to inject more vitality, the mattress plays a helpful role in the energy flow. You’ll want to pick out something made from organic materials, like cotton or wool, look for the right levels of firmness and support, and – above all else – make sure it’s new. Irregardless of the hygiene implications, a secondhand mattress comes with the residual energy of the previous owner latched onto the fabric.
I’m a big advocate for matching bedside tables, so when I discovered that feng shui has that in common, I took a sigh of relief. Here, the convention is symmetry: pick two high-quality cabinets, top them with matching table lamps, ensure their scale matches the bed, and angle for harmonious décor styling.
Before I put a bow on this guide, let’s zoom out a smidge; here are a few final pointers that feng shui practitioners swear by.
Again, if you pay attention, you’ll see that many of these bedroom formulas cross over to traditional design psychology. In hindsight, I can see that many of the titbits I give to customers (especially regarding sightlines and distractions) match up with classic feng shui disciplines. Who would’ve thunk it?
1. Hide Wires & Electronics – As ugly as they are distracting, messy cables and electronics should be banished from sight. Studies reveal that bedroom clutter is an absolute no-no, and potentially one of the subconscious triggers keeping you tossing and turning at night.
2. Prioritise a Mix of Layered Lighting Over the ‘Big Light’ – In feng shui, lighting falls under the fire element, a bringer of drive, determination, creativity and enlightenment. Alas, all things come in moderation, so it needs to be balanced; in other words, the bedroom should be adequately illuminated, and from multiple sources, to avoid the extremes of harsh over-lighting or a dingy space. Traditional interior design concurs, pointing towards a layered approach.
3. Steer Clear of Non-Soothing Items; They Belong in Other Rooms – The bedroom is a space for decompression and rejuvenation, which calls for the interior to reflect its purpose. As such, TVs, games consoles, workout gear, work-related items and, yes, even phones should be hidden at the very least. Here, the sleep hygienists and feng shui gurus can agree.
4. Angle for Symmetry – Feng shui prizes symmetry as it balances the energy in your space. From my furniture-informed perspective, visual harmony also creates familiarity, comfort and satisfaction through predictive pattern recognition. Here, a pair of bedside tables on either side of the bed is your cheat code to a harmonious look, especially in a minimalist bedroom scheme.
5. Find a Balance in Greenery – Another way to bring vibrant life energy into your bedroom is to add some considered greenery. Of course, a jungle’s worth of house plants will be overstimulating, so find your Goldilocks amount to invite in the positive chi and subtle visual texture.
6. Try a Feng Shui Colour Palette – Interestingly, feng shui subscribes to colour symbolism. Here, each palette represents the key elements, which have their own associations from wealth to restfulness. Usually, I’d recommend softer or cocooning tones, anything that conjures up ideas of restfulness and calm. But if you’re angling for balance and vitality, either an earthy shade or rich green/blue works a treat.
7. Rethink the Bookshelves – This might leave some bibliophiles aghast, but feng shui recommends that books be concealed from view, especially from the bed position. Here, avoid placing bookshelves in the line of sight from where you snooze and snuggle, or perhaps move them into another room.
You might still deem it a pseudoscience, but if these bed placement examples are anything to go by, feng shui is full of nuggets of wisdom.
You might wish to go the full hog and integrate everything I covered above, or maybe you’re happier cherry picking the tips that resonate the loudest. Either way, bringing intentionality and balance into your bedroom will see the interior become your most intimate, rejuvenating retreat.
With all that said and done, it’s time to revisit your bedroom layout and make those all-important adjustments to keep the ambience meditative and your sleep quality at its peak.
If perchance, it’s the furniture itself putting a dampener on your mojo, take that as your sign to check out my previous guides on picking out the perfect mattress and bedframes, plus storage-boosting bedside cabinets to match.
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