Did you know that the bedroom is the most important room in Feng Shui?
Considering we spend one-third of our life in it, this isn’t surprising. The bedroom symbolizes our inner self and our relationships. If your bedroom Feng Shui design is spot on, it can promote better sleep, improved health and mood, and positively impact your relationship. Conversely, certain design elements might induce agitation, stress, and even depression.
In this article we will discuss three Feng Shui bedroom principles: Yin/Yang, Five Elements, and the Energy Flow.
-
Balancing Yin and Yang in Feng Shui Bedroom Design
In Feng Shui, Yin and Yang represent opposing forces. Achieving a correct balance between these elements is the key.
Yin Elements: These are passive, calm, and feminine. Think of a small room with a low ceiling, soothing pastel wall colors, soft throw blankets, shag rugs, relaxing imagery, and soft lighting. Too much of Yin, however, can lead to an environment that feels stagnant or even depressing.
Yang Elements: Representing the active, vibrant, and masculine, Yang includes aspects like large rooms, high ceilings, bright colors, mirrors, and even TVs. While these can inject vitality into a room, an overdose can cause feelings of restlessness and agitation.
Ideally, the bedroom should have more Yin elements than Yang for tranquility. But an all-Yin design can be on a low side of the energy and potentially depressing.
Everything is monochromatic in this picture and feels depressing.
-
Incorporating The 5 Elements for Feng Shui Bedroom Harmony
The Five Elements in Feng Shui—Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood—each possess unique energies. In a bedroom, their careful implementation can promote harmony and well-being.
Earth Element is very appropriate in bedrooms because of its nurturing, comforting and balancing qualities. Earth promotes stability. It can be implemented with colors like beige or earthy pink hues, , wool rug, soft throw blanket, pillows with texture, and images of landscapes.
Metal Element is represented by white or gray walls, metal art and accessories and it’s best used sparingly in bedrooms. For example, a bedroom painted in pure white would have too much energy and is not relaxing enough. Opt for soft off-whites instead. Too much gray can be depressing in a bedroom. Do not use Metal art or accessories with sharp details, because it creates agitation. However, a soft white fabric headboard or rug would bring a sense of purity and cleanliness.

Water Element is appropriate in moderation. The best examples are soothing blue wall colors and organic wavy patterns in curtains, rugs, or bedding. Art depicting water brings a sense of relaxation and happy vacation memories. Running water like water fountains and fish tanks are not appropriate in bedrooms. Dark and stormy water images can be depressing.
Wood Element brings vitality, and fresh natural energy. Wooden headboards are great if they are solid. Soft, pastel green colors can be refreshing especially if you feel that you can use some uplifting energy. You don’t have to have plants in the bedroom, but if you love them, go for ones with soft leaves. Remember, too many Yin elements can be depressing, so introducing some gentle Wood is a way to create balance.
Fire Element should be used in moderation in bedrooms. You should never paint the entire room in red or orange. However, Yin Fire expressed in pink colors or images of flowers are excellent in bedrooms. Your bedroom lighting options should be on a Yin Fire side as well creating a soft mood and good functionality. Some pink throw blankets or accent pillows will add comfort and are pleasant to touch. Pink evokes a feeling of happiness and facilitates intimacy.
-
Optimizing Feng Shui Bedroom Energy Flow
Energy flow is created by the placement of your bed and other furniture and accessories pieces. An ideal bed placement is against a solid wall, with a diagonal view of the door and window, free from disruptive architectural features.
It’s best to have two nightstands—one on each side of the bed—and a lamp on each or wall sconces. If you have a partner, this setup ensures both partners are equally represented. For a single person, it sends a positive message about the potential for partnership if that’s what you desire. Often visuals describe it better than words, so check out my videos on Feng Shui Bedroom Furniture Placement and Feng Shui Bedroom Lighting to get a better idea.
Dressers should be proportional to the size of the bed. Make sure that there is enough space between the dresser and the bed. If you feel cramped, move the dresser to a different wall. Mirrors, especially large ones, are not advisable in bedrooms. They create active and unrestful energy in bedrooms. TVs, computers, and other electronics prevent us from relaxing and having a good night’s sleep. Avoid having those in your bedroom if you can.
The other important thing to mention about energy flow is that clutter impedes energy flow. If you have too many décor items or do not clean up your mess, the energy will stagnate and not move as freely as it should. Less is more. It is not a great idea to place family and kids’ pictures in your bedroom. Bedroom is all about you and your partner. Less is more. A clean environment where the Chi Energy can circulate freely is healing, relaxing and conducive to rejuvenation and intimacy.
In Conclusion
If you get your bedroom design right, the quality of your sleep will improve. If your sleep is deeper, your mood, productivity and creativity will be improved as well. This will also influence your relationship, bringing more stability and harmony.
For a visual guide, check out my video Feng Shui Bedroom Makeover: Secrets for Health, Sleep, and Intimacy.