What are we talking about here? Feng Shui in the bedroom, setting up your space to not get in the way of what you want it for–be that sleeping, getting intimate or whatever. In a large house with a lot of people, a bedroom is more than a sleep-space, it’s your personal sanctuary and can serve many purposes from relaxation and rest to creativity and entertainment (I mean reading or television watching, those of you with your minds firmly planted in the gutter).  In a space that has as many roles as shoes in the closet, a little balance can do wonders.

Balance is what feng shui is all about. Positive and negative energies or life forces, astrology and geography, wind and water, yin and yang. Get the picture?

Of course, this isn’t going to mesh for everyone–some folks aren’t into the woo-woo aspects of it or might just be stuck with a space that you can’t make changes to. Bed can only fit one way without blocking a door? Doors in the “wrong” areas of the room? Fixtures that aren’t easily moved or a lack of windows? I’m not talking about knocking down walls or rerouting pipes, but maybe–even in the toughest of spaces–we can make a few changes to improve the space.

At the very least, it can’t hurt!

As I understand it, traditional feng shui is from the ground up–you’d take various things into consideration before choosing or building your home. Modern feng shui seems to be more concerned with making the best of what you’ve got, even if you have the “unfortunate” luck to live in a cul de sac. (Who knew?! My second husband and I lived at the end of a cul de sac and, well, yeah… Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. But it makes you wonder!)

Mostly, though, it all boils down to being aware. Mindfulness.

What Goes Where?

There are many schools of thought as to seem to determining placement and balance of rooms and objects but compass and surrounding landmarks are both pretty popular. Of course, it’s not as simple as directions–the astrological side plays a significant part determining what influences need to be offset or enhanced each month and year. No wonder people redecorate so often! Going into all of that would, honestly, take years of study or major moolah to hire an expert and this isn’t the lifetime for that. What I want is the quickie version, the cribbed notes, the for dummies and then some cheat sheet. Can we do that?

I did find a handy list of Dos & Don’ts fron Feng Shui-diy. I see a lot of wisdom in some of them (I hate having my back to the door when I’m working, for instance) and will just keep ignoring others. (No mirrors in the bedroom? Not on your life! I’ve wanted a pier glass since I was a little girl and now that I have one, in my bedroom is where it’s staying! Though I suppose having an armoire with a door to hide the television screed wouldn’t be so bad–especially it if were motorized!)

Some, of course, are just plane sensible: no shelves over the head of the bed? No kidding. Talk about owie potential there! And not putting a bed opposite a commode? Can you imagine what this would do to light sleepers living with tiny bladders? Definite mismatch there.

So, what do you think? Worth looking into or just a load of something? Can a green plant blunt the “poisoned arrows” of your furniture any more than mirrors can throw negative energy at you while you sleep?