Feng shui is an ancient Chinese geomancy practice of arranging objects within living spaces to create harmony and balance. It is rooted in the belief that the energy flow within our environment affects the energy flow within our minds and bodies. If you’re new to feng shui, the bedroom is the perfect first room to tackle.

In this blog, you will find out how to feng shui your bedroom layout to create a restful, balanced sanctuary to retreat to at the end of each day.

What is feng shui and why does it matter in your bedroom?

The literal translation of feng shui is ‘wind water,’ which references the natural and effortless movement of chi energy. Since your bedroom is your private space for rest, intimacy, and renewal, it's logical to focus on it when applying these principles to support your well-being.

Get in touch with IconByDesign today for a free video consultation, where we can help you apply feng shui to your bedroom design.

The “Commanding Position” and bed placement

One of the first rules we learn when learning how to arrange a bedroom feng shui style is the “commanding position”. This is when your bed is positioned in a spot where you can see the door diagonally when lying down.

What the “Commanding Position” means

A bed in the “commanding position” is said to encourage a feeling of security and well-being. It’s considered the ideal setup for restorative sleep and energetic harmony and is the optimal bed placement, according to feng shui.

On the other hand, try not to:

• Place the bed directly in line with the door (effectively at a right angle to the side of the bed).

• Place the bed in a ‘coffin position’, where the door is directly aligned with the foot of the bed.

That’s because these inauspicious positions are thought to create a subconscious feeling of imbalance and insecurity, so they should be avoided if possible.

Invest in a solid headboard & clear pathways

A grounded, stable headboard is more than a design choice. It’s a core part of a supportive feng shui bedroom layout. Placing your bed against a solid wall (without a window behind it) reinforces feelings of safety and emotional support while you sleep. This setup helps maintain grounding energy, especially when paired with a high-quality frame. 

Declutter & ditch disruptive elements

Harmony can’t thrive in chaos. Clutter is a symbol of blocked, stagnant energy that can disrupt the flow of balance in your feng shui bedroom. It’s important to create a clear, open space that invites calmness and clarity. You can start by clearing everything from beneath your bed. Incorporate furniture with storage options like bedside tables and dressers to hide visual clutter and give everything a designated place. It's also wise to remove electronics from your bedroom to avoid sleep disturbances.

Use mirrors & plants wisely

Are mirrors bad feng shui?

If you are wondering if mirrors in the bedroom are bad feng shui, rest assured. Mirrors are great for feng shui if used correctly. In fact, mirrors can be used to correct the flow of chi energy if the layout of your furniture is unavoidably inauspicious. One of the keys is to position mirrors so they don’t reflect the bed or door. Any mirrors with cracks should be removed from your bedroom (and your home) as they distort energy and may have a negative effect.

Are plants in the bedroom bad feng shui?

The answer to this is nuanced. From a feng shui perspective, small, easy-care plant varieties are fine, but plants with large foliage are to be avoided, especially if they are close to the bed.

Choose calming colours & materials and balance the five elements

Seeing that a feng shui bedroom is all about creating calmness and balance, consider a calming colour palette. Think neutrals, earthy tones and subtle greens and blues to create a serene atmosphere you can relax in.

Include various materials to create a balanced look aligned with the five elements. Use earthy tones and textured linens for earth, solid oak or walnut furniture for wood, a candle for fire, metal decor for metal and a water station for water. Although feng shui is an eastern tradition, it applies to all design styles, including those that capture that relaxed coastal Australian feel.

Create dual zones if you work in your bedroom

Many of us use our bedrooms as a place to work or study. Although this might not be ideal from a feng shui point of view, there are easy and practical ways to make it work for you and to maintain balance in your feng shui bedroom layout.

One simple tip is to clearly distinguish your relaxing area from your work area, perhaps by using a beautiful room divider. This helps keep things separate, organised and adds a nice design element to your space. The divider can be moved to maximise both the bed and work area, depending on which one you’re using. If you have a nook for your desk, a curtain could be used to delineate the two zones.

When considering the layout, position your desk in the “commanding position” (diagonally facing the door, rather than facing the bed) to give you a feeling of being in control. You can also incorporate home office furniture that is congruous with the furniture in the rest of the bedroom for overall cohesiveness.

And lastly, help balance the yin-yang of your space by using various lights around your bedroom and removing or covering screens during rest time. 

Quick-fix feng shui checklist

Let’s now recap how to arrange your bedroom using feng shui principles:

☐ The bed is in the “commanding position” diagonally from the door

☐ The bed has a solid headboard, placed against a wall

☐ Ensure space on either side of the bed for flow and support

☐ Use mirrors strategically (not reflecting the bed

☐ Keep small, easy-maintenance plants in the room

☐ Use a calming colour palette and materials

☐ Symbolically include furniture or décor items to represent each of the five elements—wood, earth, metal, water and fire—to create balance

☐ If you have a workspace in your bedroom, place the desk in a “commanding position” diagonally facing the door (rather than the bed)

☐ Create a space for relaxing using a combination of décor and beautiful pieces of furniture, and keep it clutter-free

It doesn’t need to be complicated. Just start by applying one tip at a time.  

Get started with feng shui in your bedroom

Applying feng shui principles in your bedroom can be just what you’re looking for to achieve better sleep, greater serenity, and improved relationship harmony. It’s a matter of good planning, including acquiring the right bedroom furniture pieces to create the right atmosphere. If you need personalised advice, feel free to book a free video consultation. We can’t wait for you to experience your harmonious, balanced new bedroom.