Feng shui for the bedroom: the bed and the pillow
You spend a third of each day in the bedroom, and feng shui sees it as the place that recharges your luck. A bedroom you sleep well in matters for resting your body too.
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1.Where to put the bed
- Not facing the door: keep it out of the path of the qi coming in through the door.
- Head against a wall: with your back protected, you are said to sleep at ease.
- Not right under a window or a beam: said to unsettle qi.
- Keep the space under the bed clear: cramming things in is said to trap qi.
2.Which way your pillow faces
| Head points | Meaning in feng shui |
|---|---|
| North | Qi flows calmly for deep sleep; trust and savings |
| East | The direction of the morning sun; drive and growth, for young people or anyone working hard |
| Southeast | Relationships and good matches |
| West | Calm and money luck, for those who want a slow, deep rest |
| South | Strong qi; some say it makes sleep lighter |
Why Japan has avoided sleeping with the head to the north is explained in the FAQ below. Whatever the direction, what matters most is that you sleep well. See also feng shui by direction.
3.Colors for the bedroom
The bedroom is a place for calm, yin qi, so soft, gentle colors are said to suit it.
- Beige, ivory, cream: stability and peace
- Pale pink: love and a happy partnership
- Pale green: relaxation and recovery
Large areas of red or primary colors are best avoided, as they excite the mind and make sleep harder. The meaning of each color is in feng shui colors.
4.Things best kept out of the bedroom
- Mirrors that reflect you in bed: said to disturb qi. Cover a mirrored wardrobe door with fabric, for example.
- Lots of electronics: move the TV and computer out, or switch them off before bed.
- A big aquarium or too many plants: the qi of water and the life force of plants are strong, and said not to suit a place of rest.
- Clothes and books strewn about
5.Habits for good sleep
Wash your bedding often, and open the window in the morning to let fresh air in. Cutting down on phone time before bed is a good habit for feng shui and good sleep alike. If sleep problems carry on, see a doctor.
6.FAQ
Isn’t sleeping with your head to the north unlucky?
In Japan, because the Buddha is said to have lain with his head to the north when he died, sleeping that way has been avoided as the way the dead are laid out. Feng shui, on the other hand, has an idea that a north-facing pillow lets qi flow calmly for a deep sleep. If it bothers you, an east-facing pillow is also said to give a settled sleep.
Are there rules for where to put the bed?
Feng shui advises keeping the bed out of line with the door, so the qi coming in doesn’t hit it directly, with the head against a wall. It is also said to be best not to put it right under a window or a beam.
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