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The ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui dates back as far as 960BC and is still practised keenly around the world. Its aim is to improve the flow of natural or spiritual energy known as ‘Chi’ and create the optimum balance of energy between the natural world and our home interiors. By following the philosophy and applying the rules of Feng Shui within our homes, it is believed that we achieve positive wellbeing, enhance our happiness and encourage wealth.
According to Feng Shui, the bedroom is the most important room in the home, the place where you’ll spend the most amount of time. Whether you’re sleeping, rejuvenating or reflecting, it’s important that your bedroom is calm and tranquil. Down time and relaxation are crucial for our physical and mental health so anything we can do to promote them can only be a positive. Hence in this article we’re looking at how to use Feng Shui to create a serene, dreamy sleep space.
Meaningful Colours
In Feng Shui, each colour has its own meaning and emits different vibration levels, so before you choose one, be sure to do your research. A poor colour choice may result in negatively affecting the energy levels in the room undergoing the revamp. For example, shades of blue are ideal if you’re seeking a calming and tranquil bedroom. Green would also be a good choice as it promotes nature’s healing energy and encourages health, growth and vibrancy. Couples may wish to use red within their bedroom as it’s the colour of marriage and can be effective at boosting sexual desire. Pink is a more delicate colour option and can be used to soften energies and add loving vibes.
Direction Determines
Feng Shui focused interior designers will use the Bagua map to help them design a room. The map divides the home into nine different areas and each one relates to a specific aspect of life. The direction your bedroom faces will play a key role in your décor choices.
For example, the southeast direction represents wealth, so colours and materials which are symbolic of growth and prosperity would work well. Think wooden furniture complemented with opulent metallic accessories.
A north-facing bedroom should be dedicated to your career and life path. It should inspire productivity and encourage thinking. Represented by the water element, this space would benefit from blue hues, black accents and curved lines which mimic the rolling waves of the sea.
Bed Basics
The bed is the most important piece of furniture in your bedroom. Of course, the right mattress, pillows and linen will ensure comfort and contribute to a restful night, but there are other factors to consider.
Firstly, your bed will be in the commanding position – facing the wall where the door is, but without being in direct line of the doorway. A bed should always have a headboard too as it represents strength and stability. The headboard needs to rest against a solid wall and there should be ample space at either side and at the foot of the bed to encourage the free flow of energy. Other than a couple of small nightstands, the space should be clear immediately to the left and right of your bed.
Clutter Free for Positive Chi
Clutter is a big no-no in Feng Shui as it acts as an obstacle for flowing energy. Therefore, ensure you have adequate storage space for your possessions. The type of items you allow to clutter up your bedroom can also influence your being. Books are considered as having active energy and may prevent you from sleeping well. A single book beside your bed is considered acceptable, but stacks of books on surfaces and open bookcases should be avoided. Gym and exercise equipment should also be kept out of sight.
Pay particular attention to the space under your bed as items kept here can represent subconscious blocks. If you must utilise this space, use it to store away bed linen and other soft items. Floor-to-ceiling fitted furniture is an ideal Feng Shui friendly storage solution. It takes up minimal floor space, blending into the background whilst providing a secure place for energy draining items.
Work-Life Balance
More of us than ever before are now working from home, for at least a percentage of the week. As not everyone will have a spare bedroom to convert into a home office, the bedroom tends to be the room of choice when setting up a workspace.
In line with Feng Shui thinking, situating your workspace in your bedroom is far from ideal. Sometimes it’s unavoidable, so it’s imperative that you try to keep your workspace and all associated equipment as far away from your bed as possible. A dedicated desk with sufficient storage on the opposite side of the room will reduce the negative effect on the tranquillity of your sleep space.
At Hartleys we’re not Feng Shui experts, but many of the philosophy’s ideals are incorporated into professional bedroom design. We will design a bedroom layout for you which is balanced, taking stock of access, storage needs and aesthetics to create your perfect sleep retreat. If you’d like to talk to us about your bespoke furniture plans for any room in your home, you can call us on 01756 700471 or contact us via the website.