Noel Coward said that, “bed is the perfect climate”. He is correct, I concur! Other than the living room and sofa, the bed is the other place where we spend most of our lives. It is the place to go to when the world is too much. How many of us have hidden under the bedcovers when life seems to just get in the way? And then there is the matter of quality of sleep. Apparently, we should have a room temperature at 18.3C or 60-68F degrees for a decent night’s rest and that is the goal.

Buy a Bed

First of all, the bed. Before you buy new or second hand, check out the mattress. I have done angel wings movements on beds in showrooms with some odd looks but then haven’t made a mistake! I prefer a relatively firm mattress. You can buy cheap bed frames second hand but don’t skimp on the mattress – you will thank me. Get a double bed if you can and a head board. Feng Shui practice likes something solid behind you and not a iron bar or nothing at all. The headboard could be made. Some ideas seen are an old wooden door painted and turned horizontal, a cheap mango wood screen, a large canvas recovered with material or a piece of plywood bought from the local hardware and painted. Be creative.  Get a decent pillow and bed linen. Figure out if you are a blanket or duvet person then set it up so the bed looks inviting with only two cushions, Feng Shui doesn’t like too many.

Storage

Having lived in a New York shoebox, boxes under the bed were needed. Keep them clean and tidy and dust free. See what you can stack up. If in a studio, buy an IKEA clothes rack, or a second hand storage chest of drawers or wardrobe online. Check out furniture op shops if you are on a budget, or organise well built-in storage if money is not an issue. Anything can be painted! This cupboard has held shoes, clothes and is now a soft green and has bed linen inside. There is so much furniture you can change with door handles, paint or material.

 

Other Furniture

Regardless of where your bedroom is placed on the Bagua map, have sets of 2s in the room. Two lamps, bedside tables, chairs and pillows as it is still usually a room for relationships. On that note, check out the Bagua map and match the colours and elements of the room. For example; if the bedroom is in the Wealth sector, use rich greens and blues in the linen and spend as much money as you can. If in the Travel and Helpful People area, look at greys and white but add blankets and cushions to soften the look. You can read other posts on the different sectors on this blog.

 

Final Feng Shui

  • Keep the tv and computers out of the bedroom – it is a place of rest
  • If you are in a studio, section the bed off with a screen or get a fold up bed that folds in to the wall
  • Avoid electric blankets if you can, you are sleeping on top of electricity
  • For couples with different temperatures – have layers, a top sheet, cotton blanket or duvet to manage individual needs
  • Place the bed in the middle of a wall – not against a wall, if that is difficult, try to do this diagonally
  • Try not to have your feet facing a door – this is the ‘coffin position’, if this isn’t possible, place a trunk at the end of the bed
  • Avoid mirrors opposite the bed, if you have them, put opaque transfers on them – it is said you wake up and see your ghost!

Sweet dreams!