Feng shui is the Chinese philosophy of arranging the pieces in living spaces in order to create balance with the natural world. The words 'feng' and 'shui' translate to 'wind' and 'water', so it's no surprise the goal is to harness energy forces and establish harmony. Since the bedroom is the most important room for personal wellbeing according to feng shui, we show you just how to keep this space in perfect balance.

Feng shui bed positioning

We enter a passive 'yin' state when we sleep, making us more susceptible to the energy around us. Where we lay in the room affects our conscious and unconscious states, which is why bed placement is so important. Place your bed in the 'commanding position' facing the door, but not directly in line with it. The worst thing that you can do zen-wise is to line up your bed so that your feet point out the door in what is morbidly known as the 'coffin position'. Also, avoid placing your bed under a window which feng shui experts say result in sadness and weakness. 

Why bedheads are important

Bedheads are essential for stability in your life. Solid wooden or upholstered bedheads are favoured over open metal bars or bedheads with built-in storage - we couldn't agree more. Place your bedhead against a solid wall and try to keep your bed as close to the wall as possible. 

Clear out your clutter

It's believed that the items under your bed may represent subconscious blocks, or become them. Ensure there is no clutter under your bed and generally avoid storing anything underneath to ensure maximum energy expansion. If storage is a problem for you, try to only store things related to sleep under your bed, like blankets, pillows and bedlinen. Don't just shove everything in the closet though, as this can also affect the feng shui. Instead, adopt a Marie Kondo mindset and let go of the things you don't need anymore.

Create balance with symmetry

Consider symmetry when decorating, particularly with bedside tables. They don't need to match but they should complement each other, encouraging harmony in relationships if you have a partner sleeping next to you. Extend this pairing method to other elements in your space such as cushions, accent chairs and lamps.

Zoning your space

We know mirrors are practical but it's a real no-no when it comes to feng shui as they are thought to reflect energy and disrupt sleep. If you have to have one, make sure it's not facing your bed directly. Try to remove any items that bring 'yang', or active energy, into the space, such as an abundance of books, exercise equipment and work materials. If you have to work in the bedroom, try to separate your workspace with a room divider or cover your desk with a tablecloth when the work day is done to switch the space into a restful state. 

Decorate for positive energy

The subject of your decor is also important to consider to keep your life in balance. Wall art that features single people or objects is best avoided if you're looking for love. Similarly, if you want romance in the bedroom you'll want to move family portraits to another room. Objects that don't reflect your current state of being (things that remind you of someone you used to be) can affect your aura, dreams, emotions and subconscious thoughts negatively, so you might want to give them the flick. You can also introduce one of the most important elements to feng shui, fire, into your space through candles to bring a warm glow and purify the energy.

Colours that are good for feng shui

Colour is always a subjective element, but instead of picking shades just because you like them, feng shui places importance on colours that represent what you need in life and match the 'Bagua', or energy mapping, of your home. For passion, introduce a little red, whereas attracting a partner calls for more subdued pinks and peaches. Earth or skin tones soothe and offer support, while rejuvenation and vitality call for blues and a touch of green. It is important to note though that green represents the wood element in feng shui, which detracts from the earth element that is most important in a bedroom, so keep the green to a minimum if you can.