Bedroom Harmony – Decorating for Feng Shui
It can help us in every aspect of our life and doesn’t cost anything to use it. What is it? Feng shui - the ancient Chinese art of creating a harmonious environment for our well being. The Chinese believe that chi, our life force, creates well being and energy in our bodies when it flows properly. Feng shui is decorating and arranging a room, home or office to promote the flow of chi around us.
Pronounced "fung shway," it literally means "wind and water." With roots in Chinese philosophy dating back thousands of years, Feng shui is said to promote prosperity, good health, and well-being.
You can easily incorporate feng shui into your bedroom by making just a few simple changes. If you’re redecorating your bedroom or changing your décor – try simple Feng Shui techniques – they can easily be incorporated in to any theme any any budget Using Feng Shui techniques in your bedroom promotes healthy sleep and well being, and if you look closely at each technique, most of these techniques just make good old-fashioned common sense, not to mention design sense.
- The head of the bed should be placed against a solid wall and not under a window. A bed against a window is allows chi to enter and leave through the window, which results in restless sleep. Other feng shui guidelines for arranging your bed in the room are:
- Make sure your bed can be easily accessed from both sides to encourage the flow of energy.
- Avoid having the bed directly in line with the door to the bedroom.
- Don't allow the side of your bed to be pushed up against a wall.
- Banish the television set, computer or exercise equipment from your bedroom. They destroy the feng shui energy in your bedroom
- Clearing your clutter is very important in the bedroom. Make sure you give a good cleaning to under the bed and behind doors, these areas become ‘stale’ and need to be cleared and cleaned to ensure energy.
- Don't have a mirror or mirrored dressing table facing the bed, it is said to drain your energy while you’re sleeping, particularly if you can see yourself in the mirror when you’re laying down. Change the position of the mirror or dressing table, or cover it with a cloth each night before going to bed if you can see it from your bed.
- Make sure all nightstands have rounded edges and not square, sharp corners to prevent cutting chi and allowing it to flow freely.
- If two sleep in the bed, make sure there are matching nightstands on either side. It's believed the matchings stand add stability and protection in the relationship.
- Place something beautiful that inspires you where you first look in the morning.
- Choose the artwork carefully - art and photographs carry powerful feng shui energy. Choose images that show someone doing something you would like to see happening in your life. For example, if you are hoping for a large family, choose artwork depicting a large family with several children.
Whether you believe in the feng shui philosophy or not, many of its principles simply make good sense. Try some of the basic techniques in your next bedroom redecorating project, it doesn’t cost a dime!