We all want our bedroom to be a place where we can relax, unwind, and get a good night’s sleep. However, we may be unwittingly working against these goals without even realizing it. According to the principles of feng shui, every aspect of our bedroom decor may affect our energy and our ability to relax within that space. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of creating harmonious living spaces. The words “feng shui” literally mean water and air, and the basic principle of feng shui is to keep the energy of our living spaces in motion, just as water and air are always in motion. The idea is that through the mindful placement of objects and use of color, we can bring the energy that we desire into our space and help to bring our goals to fruition.

One of the most important aspects of feng shui in the bedroom is the placement of the bed. Your bed should never be placed directly across from the door. This is called the “death position” and is thought to bring bad energy. You should, however, position your bed so that you can see the door. This will give you a sense of security while you sleep. Also, you should not have a mirror directly across from your bed. There are several reasons for this including the fact that if you wake in the night you may be startled by your reflection which will immediately put your body into defense mode. Once you have been startled, your body releases a rush of adrenaline which then makes it difficult to fall back into a deep sleep. If you have mirrored closet doors or other large mirrors which cannot be moved, try hanging curtains in front of them which can be closed at night and opened during the day. The same applies for other reflective surfaces such as a TV or computer screen. Having a TV in your room is actually detrimental to your relaxing environment, but if you like to have one in your bedroom, place it in an armoire with doors that can be closed at night and always turn off the TV before you go to sleep. Sleeping with the TV on keeps you from attaining a deep sleep and will undoubtedly wake you up in the night at some point. Having too much noise around you while you sleep can also give you unpleasant dreams and keep you from resting and recharging. Sleeping with your bed against a window is also something to avoid. Sleeping is your time to recharge your energy, or chi, and if you sleep too near a window your chi will be drawn out, making you feel tired when you awake. If your room does not allow for any other configuration, hang heavy curtains on the window near your bed to help retain the chi. A solid wood headboard will also help to keep your chi contained so that you can get the most benefit from your sleep.
The colors that you choose for your bedroom are also very important. Since you are trying to make this space as relaxing as possible, try to stick with colors that are soft and serene, such as pastels. Bright colors will keep your mind in a state of wakefulness and make it difficult to sleep deeply. Also, if you are trying to make your bedroom a romantic environment as well, try not to use too many cool colors like blues and greens. While these colors many seem relaxing, a warmer palette of pastels will inspire a more romantic feeling. The best shades for inspiring romance are the ones that emulate human skin tones such as peach, cocoa brown, toffee and pale pink. On a subconscious level, these colors make us think of human touch.

If you are single and are seeking romance, it is important to design your room as though your partner were already there. Decorating for one may become a self fulfilling prophecy because your bedroom may be sending the message that there is no room for anyone else. Sleep in a bed large enough for two, and keep a nightstand on both sides of the bed. This sends a message of welcome to your partner. Also, decorate using pairs, such as candlesticks. Items that come in pairs have good relationship chi. The art that you use in your bedroom is also important. This is the one room in the house where sensuous art is very appropriate and will help to create a feeling of warmth and romance.

Finally, keeping your room clear of clutter is one of the fastest and easiest ways to keep the chi moving. A room that is messy or full of clutter feels stagnant and leaves no room for creativity. Our bedrooms are the place where we dream, so keeping the room neat and organized makes room for rest, relaxation, and sweet dreams.