The dos and don'ts of bedroom feng shui

Feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of arranging objects in your environments to create better harmony and synergy. When applied to the home it can create a restful and relaxing space that improves relationships. Here' we'll look at bedroom feng shui. 

According to Gayle Atherton from fengshui.com.au, applying bedroom feng shui is essential for a good night's sleep. "You never want the foot of the bed opposite the door," she says. "This is called the coffin position and it pulls on the life-force energy of the sleeper."

Similarly, don't position the head of the bed near an electrical outlet or an electric clock. "I'm not an advocate of electric blankets or floor heating either," Gayle says. "Feng shui is related to acupuncture, which is the electrical flow of energy through the body. When you use electric blankets and under-floor heating, it disturbs the energy moving through your body."

Mirrors also change the flow of energy (also called 'chi') and can disrupt bedroom feng shui. "Mirrors stimulate the energy in a bedroom, and you don't want that," says Gayle. "Also, if a room has negative energy, mirrors will amplify it."

If you must have a mirror in your bedroom, then consider hiding one inside a cupboard, or have a small mirror that doesn't face the bed.

When it comes to storing your clothes, Gayle advises against clothing racks. "Creating bedroom feng shui is about creating is a place that supports and sustains," Gayle says. "You create harmony when there are fewer objects around, so clothes on racks feel cluttered. Doors or nice organza curtains are a great way to separate the space."

The Colour of Bedroom Feng Shui

According to feng shui, colours are important for encouraging positive relationships in the bedroom. "If you're single, pink is good for encouraging a relationship. You can also have red, but as a colour it is really active and strong, so it could be too dominant."

The rule of thumb for bedroom feng shui is to avoid dark colours. "Dark tones suck in light and create a stagnant energy. Blues and purples make people feel a little too detached," Gayle warns. 

Peach, off-white and beige work well for couples trying to make relationships work. "It's easy to dress up off-whites and beige. Orange is good for energy, but yellow is too vibrant – friendly, but too lively," Gayle says.

The Textures if Bedroom Feng Shui

Finally, when it comes to fabrics, Gayle recommends soft textures for the bedroom. "Everything should flow, so you don't want strong patterns for sheets or wallpaper," she says. "Voile, organza, silks and satins are great and there are ways to use them that aren't overly feminine or Eastern in look. Also consider mink blankets, angora and mohair."