Team KBB

Master the art of feng shui in your bedroom with these tips

Posted on 19th December 2024

One thing design concepts have in common is that they’re less of a trend and more of a way of life. To spark some ideas, KBB journo Laurie Davidson looks at how you can adapt the principles of the Chinese practice called feng shui into your own bedroom design…

Years ago, I worked as the assistant editor of a feng shui magazine. I would go on shoots with feng shui practitioners who would help homeowners improve different areas of their lives by changing things in their homes. There was a lot more to it than simply clearing the clutter and rearranging furniture, but what I did learn is that there’s a lot of common sense to this ancient Chinese art.

So, what is feng shui? With a focus on arranging objects in such a way as to create a peaceful, balanced energy (Chi), feng shui (which is Chinese for ‘wind’ and ‘water’) symbolises the flow of life that we should aim to have in our homes.

According to feng shui principles, the bedroom is the most important room in the home. And, there are a few adjustments you can make to embrace the philosophy.

Feng shui bedroom design with earthy colours and symmetry. — In feng shui, symmetry is thought to help balance the room’s energy. In this bedroom designed by Amy Hunt Interior Design, matching bedside tables and lamps on either side of the bed create a serene atmosphere. Photography: Darren Chung.

Feng shui for your bedroom

Firstly, have your bed located in a commanding position with your head pointed southward (if possible) while you sleep, which aligns with the practice’s influence of southern winds.

Locate your headboard against a solid wall, as this represents stability and support in life, and make sure it’s not against a wall with a toilet on the other side, which can indicate any good fortune being flushed away.

Make sure you have space on either side of, and underneath, your bed, so the ‘Chi’ can flow freely around, and avoid having your feet pointing directly out the door when lying in bed (in feng shui, this is called the ‘coffin’ position).

Using soothing colours is best, with nothing too stimulating – it’s also advised to minimise books and electronics.

Lastly, if you want to add artwork in your bedroom, choose some that depicts couples (or has two items in the image) or artwork that comes in pairs, as this is said to help boost your relationships.

Want to see more? Scroll down and browse through our inspiration gallery of Zen bedroom ideas…