Apr 15, 2025
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Onton Team
Zen out your personal sanctuary with these feng shui bedroom principles. Learn about ideal bed placement, calming colors, and design tips for a peaceful space.
The bedroom is where the magic happens. That’s right — the place where you can unwind, get into your jammies, and leave the chaos of the day behind. If your current bedroom set-up doesn’t encourage relaxation, a feng shui bedroom might be the fix you need.
Feng shui is an ancient Chinese practice aimed at creating harmony between a person and their environment. In the bedroom, that means designing a space that encourages rest, relaxation, and positivity. With a few thoughtful adjustments — like smart bed placement and calming decorations — you can transform your bedroom into a peaceful retreat.
In this guide, you’ll discover essential feng shui bedroom rules, practical layouts, and simple changes to create a calming vibe.
What’s feng shui?
Feng shui is the ancient Chinese practice of creating harmony between individuals and their environment, reflecting the Taoist belief that our surroundings impact our energy. This method optimizes the flow of chi (life energy) by balancing the yin (calm) and yang (active) energy forces in a space. By carefully controlling the flow of chi, it’s believed that feng shui enhances well-being and supports a more balanced life.
In practical terms, feng shui involves arranging furniture, choosing color palettes, and incorporating natural elements so as to enhance positive energy flow. With simple design elements, feng shui creates a peaceful, restorative space that nurtures the body and mind.
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Understanding the rules of a good feng shui bedroom
The bedroom is your safe space, and getting the right energy flowing can be the key to properly unwinding at the end of the day. Here’s how to feng shui your bedroom to invite good vibes into your sanctuary.
Do declutter
Clutter can create blocks that mess with the flow of good energy, leaving you stressed and restless. One easy fix is to add thoughtful storage solutions like closed cabinets or sleek bookshelves. Tidying every day will also help keep your bedroom feeling tranquil.
Don’t install mirrors facing the bed
Mirrors bounce light and reflect space, making your bedroom feel airy and light — just avoid placing them directly facing the bed. In feng shui, a mirror reflecting the bed is thought to disturb restful sleep.
If you want to keep a mirror in your bedroom, position it on a side wall, inside a closet door, or so it reflects natural elements, like plants or trees outside your window.
Do buy a headboard
In feng shui, the bed represents your foundation, and a solid headboard provides stability and support. Headboards anchor your energy while you relax, promoting restful sleep and positive energy. Choose a strong design made with natural materials — like a real wood headboard with no bars.
Don’t stock up on electronics
Screens and gadgets are part of daily life, but feng shui rules forbid them from the bedroom. Electronics overstimulate, interfering with restful sleep and relaxation. Keep TVs, laptops, and other devices out of sight — consider storing them in a cabinet or another room altogether.
While you're at it, eliminate any items that don’t promote rest, including exercise bikes, paperwork, and anything else that distracts the mind.
Do incorporate natural elements
Bringing nature indoors promotes a feeling of serenity. A wooden nightstand, a ceramic vase full of flowers, or a plant grounds the space and encourages good chi.
Stick to living plants and avoid plants with sharp edges to maintain a soft, nurturing atmosphere. If you’re leaning toward themed rooms, like a coastal-inspired bedroom or boho chic oasis, live by the less is more motto to keep the overall vibe soft and subtle. Think driftwood accents or soft blue tones to evoke the sea without turning your space into a maximalist souvenir shop.
Don’t overcrowd the space
A bedroom packed with oversized furniture or a few too many decorations feels heavy. In feng shui, open space allows chi to circulate freely. Keep only the essentials and choose furniture that fits the scale of your room. Using AI interior design tools can help you visualize your new bedroom layout before making changes.
Do decorate in pairs
Whether it’s two nightstands, two pillows, or two pieces of artwork, symmetry promotes positive energy placement in a feng shui bedroom. Be mindful of choosing objects that complement each other and the overall vibe of the room — no mismatched sets — to create a sense of equilibrium and unity in your space.
Don’t let clutter pile up under the bed
A collection of clutter underneath your bed can block the flow of energy. If you have a small room and need to store items under your bed, keep it organized and only store sleeping items, like extra pillows, blankets, and sheets.
Do use soft lighting
Ever walk into a room with harsh overhead lighting and feel like you just stepped into the dentist's office? This is the mood you want to avoid in your bedroom. Soft, warm lighting creates a peaceful, zen environment that invites you to relax. Warm-toned bulbs cast a gentle glow — add them to your table lamps, sconces, and dimmable fixtures.
Don’t load your room with stimulating colors
Bright red or pitch black walls might bring drama to interior design, but in feng shui, they create tension that disrupts your peace.
For a calm, restful vibe, choose soothing, natural colors — think soft blues, greens, and neutral tones. These paint colors promote deeper relaxation and a more restful sleep.
A good rule of thumb is to choose earthy hues that reflect the five elements — wood, fire, earth, water, and metal — in moderation.
What’s the best feng shui bed placement?
As soon as you enter your bedroom, your bed immediately catches your eye. And not just because you can’t wait to crawl in and get some shuteye. It's the room's centerpiece, and the wrong bed position can make everything feel off.
The ideal feng shui bedroom layout is with the bed in the command position — far from the bedroom door and not directly in line with it. Positioned with the headboard against a wall, this bedroom layout reflects strength and structure while also limiting exposure to incoming energy while you sleep. Keep both sides of the bed open and accessible to encourage a sense of balance — especially if you share the space.
Additionally, avoid placing your bed under a window, as it can leave you feeling unprotected, or positioning the mattress diagonally, which attracts unstable energy.
Design your feng shui bedroom with Onton
With Onton’s AI-driven search engine, you can find everything you need to create a space that moves with — not against — you. Try using the prompt “zen bedroom rug in natural colors” to discover various options that suit your vibe.
Then, to better understand how this new piece will suit your room, you can use Onton’s Imagine tool. Describe your vision with a prompt like “show me a bedroom layout with the bed in the command position, balanced nightstands, and a zen rug in natural colors” and watch it come to life.
FAQ
What’s the best direction for your bed to face?
Position your bed so you can see the door without being directly in line with it. This is known as the “command position,” which is meant to anchor your bed and provide a sense of strength and security.
Should your bed face the window or door?
Avoid placing your bed directly in line with the door or under a window, as both positions can disrupt your sense of security. Place your headboard against a solid wall with a clear view of the bedroom door.
How do I get positive energy in my bedroom?
Keep your room feeling as natural as possible. Tidy up regularly, choose soothing colors, and incorporate earthy elements like wood or plants. If something doesn’t bring you calm, remove or replace.