When we’re thinking about decorating our home from scratch or making some changes that we like and that give it a fresh look, it’s important to choose a specific style so that the result is cohesive. This will help us clarify our ideas and guide us through the process, so that the different aspects of the decor—the arrangement of furniture and objects, the use of space, the color scheme, and so on—ultimately come together in perfect harmony.
Keep in mind that interior design is, in a sense, a reflection of both our personality and our lifestyle. That’s why it makes sense that many people embrace the principles of certain popular philosophies —particularly those of Eastern origin—and apply them to their homes, expressing them through the combination of all the elements within.
This time, we’d like to tell you about one of the best-known practices, Feng Shui, and how you can apply its principles to decorate and style your bedroom according to its principles. Are you ready to learn every detail of what we have to share with you?
What is Feng Shui, and why is it relevant to interior design?
If you’re not familiar with Feng Shui or have never heard of it, you’re probably wondering why this Eastern philosophy stands out from others. Well, one of the most important reasons is that it has a history dating back more than 3,500 years—so its long history is proof of its success!
Its origins lie in China, as its name means “wind” and “water” in Chinese. This is because it emerged as a technique for studying changes occurring in nature—such as those related to the stars and the weather—and how these changes affected human beings. More specifically, it focused on the vital energy that its pioneers believed people possessed, which they called “chi.”
In very simple terms, we can say that Feng Shui aims to achieve balance in this vital energy through the layout, decoration, and orientation of the environment and the spaces where we spend most of our lives and, therefore, carry out our daily activities. Consequently, our home is one of those key places that we should strive to bring into harmony with our inner self.
Why is Feng Shui especially useful for decorating the bedroom?
According to this philosophy, if we pay attention to and take care of our home, it will have a positive influence on us. We can do this through the decoration of our rooms, the placement and arrangement of our furniture, or our choice of colors.
After all, it’s estimated that we spend about 90% of our lives indoors—mainly at home and at work—and nearly a third of that time in our bedroom. That’s why there’s such a close connection between Feng Shui and the place where we rest.
How to Use Feng Shui to Decorate Your Bedroom
Our goal is to attract positive energy to the bedroom. We can achieve this by following these tips:
Neat and tidy
For energy to flow, it needs space. A tidy and clean bedroom will foster these positive vibes, as will proper airflow and ventilation.
Placement and Orientation of the Bed
The bed is essential for our rest and, therefore, for maintaining optimal energy levels. It is recommended to have a headboard that serves as the sole connection between the bed and the wall, and that is positioned away from the path between the window and the door. Furthermore, ideally, the bed should not face the door but be positioned diagonally to it, so that we can access this resting place from both sides, and we should avoid placing the bed against a wall with a window above it. Why? All these precautions will prevent us from being distracted by the outside world and help us fall asleep.
And don’t forget to position the bed correctly. Feng Shui suggests that a north-facing orientation (for the headboard) is best for promoting rest, that an east-facing orientation will help us be optimistic and grow, that a west-facing orientation will help us combat stress and anxiety, and that a south-facing orientation will inspire us to be more passionate and tackle new projects with energy.
A roof that is as flat as possible
Feng Shui does not favor beams or hanging objects on the bedroom ceiling, as it believes they negatively affect our “chi.” So, the flatter the ceiling, the better. And if it’s not possible to remodel it to achieve this, we can opt for a canopy to counteract this negative effect.
Choosing Colors
Given its close connection to nature, Feng Shui allows us to us to associate our bedroom decor with an element. If we choose fire, we can use warm, reddish, and orange colors; if we choose earth, we’ll opt for terracotta, beige, ochre, and cream tones; for metal, we’ll use colors like white or metallic shades; if we prefer wood, we’ll opt for greenish tones; and finally, if we choose water, we’ll go with blues and blacks.
Symmetric distribution
This Eastern philosophy holds that symmetrical objects will help bring balance to your life. You can achieve this harmony by arranging furniture and objects in a similar way on both sides of the bedroom: with two identical nightstands and their corresponding lamps, two closets, and so on.
Watch out for mirrors!
If you have a mirror in your bedroom, keep in mind that, according to Feng Shui, it can alter your internal energy, either distorting or amplifying it. Not surprisingly, Feng Shui views this object as a door or window, so it’s not recommended to have one in your sleeping area. However, if you take its recommendations “to the letter” and prefer not to remove yours, you can always cover it up before going to sleep!
Get rid of broken or old items
Feng Shui also holds that broken objects—including well-worn clothing—are magnets for “bad energy.” So try to throw away anything you don’t use, and don’t forget to replace the dead batteries in your watches, because if they don’t work properly, they can cause your energy to stagnate.
Decorate your bedroom using Feng Shui principles and recharge your energy!
What do you think of Feng Shui? If the concept appeals to you, don’t hesitate to try out our tips and let us know how it goes. We can’t wait to hear about your experiences!
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