After learning this Feng Shui 'rule' on bed placement, I rearranged my bedroom layout and finally got a peaceful night's sleep

I never considered that the placement of my bed was going to be one of the biggest challenges I'd come up against during our home remodel.

But after months of tossing and turning and the room just feeling "off", I turned to the ancient art of Feng Shui (and Google) for help. And what I learned about bedroom Feng Shui completely transformed both my bedroom layout and my night's sleep.

As it turns out, the placement of your bed and the energy flow you create in your room play a crucial role in creating a sense of calm and balance. So to learn more, I've spoken with Homes & Gardens' contributing Feng Shui expert Suzanne Roynon of Interiors Therapy to get the low-down on how to create a relaxing bedroom with her very best Feng Shui bedroom layout tips.

Is Feng Shui the secret to a better night's sleep?

I've been fortunate that the remodel of my bedroom is on somewhat of a slow renovating trajectory. I say this because it has given me that age-old benefit of time to truly live in a room and see how it works and feels.

This means that while it can be rather frustrating to not yet have a finished bedroom, by moving in with a camp bed and no carpet for a few months, I was able to realize that the wall I'd been planning to put my bed against just didn't feel right.

And the laws of Feng Shui furniture placement agreed. After plenty of Googling "best bed placement for sleep", I realized that the orientation of the bed was what left me feeling uneasy in the room. This is when I learned about the command position.

The command position is a Feng Shui concept that suggests you should always place your bed so you can see the door. Then, when your bed is in the right position, it should foster a better sense of security and relaxation.

'First and foremost, you need to feel secure in the bedroom and this means positioning the bed in what’s known as the ‘command position’,' Suzanne, who is a member of the International Feng Shui Guild, explained to me.

'This means that when you are in bed you can see the door and are immediately aware if it opens. Psychologically, this gives you reassurance that you are safe and this makes it easier to achieve quality sleep.'

The key, however, is not to have your bed (and head) along the same wall – and therefore in line with – the bedroom door. Which was where I was getting it all wrong, leading to a bedroom renovation I regretted.

'All that said, it is preferable not to have the door opening in direct line facing the foot of the bed,' Suzanne adds. 'This is known as the ‘corpse’ or ‘coffin’ position and it’s said to drain your energy away as you sleep. If there’s no option other than to have a bed in this position, place a tall piece of furniture at the end of the bed, or a round rug between the bed and the door to deflect some of the energy.'

Which, if you're following, means it doesn't leave you with too many options as to the best bed position to follow. You want to be facing (but not directly facing) the door, not have it opening along the same wall as your head, and according to Suzanne not beneath a window either.

'Locate the bed on a solid wall and always factor in a tall, comfortable headboard,' she continues. 'This has a variety of purposes, not least a comfortable cup of coffee on Sunday morning, but as with everything Feng Shui, there is more to it.'

'The headboard protects the head and neck from drafts, knocks, and bumps, and in Feng Shui terms, attack from behind! Again it’s about feeling secure,' Suzanne adds. 'This is why we never recommend placing a bed under a window – your subconscious will always be on alert and quality sleep will be hard to achieve.'

Inspired by these insights, I got my husband on board with the idea and rearranged our bedroom, plug sockets and all, to align with these principles – and the results were surprisingly immediate.

After just a few nights I noticed a significant difference in how well I slept and how I felt upon waking up by just simply repositioning our bed. Now, we have it along a solid wall (no windows or doors), with a clear view of the door adjacent to us, and are instead facing the fireplace. A happy accident that gives us a much nicer view and more room to maneuver around the room.

It almost instantly felt more restful, inviting, and well-balanced. Whether you're a Feng Shui expert or a novice who fell down a TikTok hole like me, there's no denying that putting a little more thought into your bed position can enhance the overall ambiance of your sleep space.

Feng Shui Bedroom Tips From An Expert

Here, Suzanne shares her tried-and-tested tips for arranging your bedroom in line with the principles of Feng Shui – and some of them might surprise you.

1. Keep clear of clutter

'Always make sure the bedroom is clear of clutter,' says Suzanne.

'Clutter brings both chaotic thoughts and lifestyle so try to keep the bedroom clean, and fresh and have a specific place for makeup and products (and make sure they are returned to it after use),' she suggests. 'A floordrobe is never a good look and it’s far from romantic to step into a room where you have to pick your way between piles of stuff. If you’re remodeling a bedroom, be sure to include lots of efficient storage and then use it.'

Suzanne also warns against underbed storage ideas. 'Under the bed should be a no-go area, however, if space is at a premium and you’ve chosen a storage bed, limit the contents to out-of-season clothing, bed linen, and towels – and nothing else!'

2. Remove anything from above the bed

'Don’t hang pictures, mirrors, or cupboards above the bed,' Suzanne advises. 'This will interfere with sleep and increase the risk of headaches, neck, shoulder, and back pain. The downward pressure can be very destructive.'

This is a rule that shocked me, as I had been planning to source a lovely large piece of art or a tapestry to fill the wall above my headboard.

Additionally, Suzanne suggests that mirrored wardrobes are always best avoided. 'If you’re stuck with them, either change the doors or invest in adhesive frosting,' she suggests. 'Mirrors are said to do several unfortunate things – when they reflect the bed, they invite in the energy of a third person... and they also drain the energy of the person who sleeps reflected in them.'

3. Choose your nightstands wisely

I also asked Suzanne if, according to Feng Shui, bedside tables should match. The answer was a resounding yes.

'On either side of the bed, you’ll want matching nightstands and a lamp – and be sure to use nightstands in proportion with the bed,' Suzanne suggests. 'Too high and they will feel overpowering, too low or too small and they are too insignificant to provide the element of balance and harmony you deserve.'

'I always suggest having a nightstand with a drawer to tuck all the bedside gubbins into - this means you can keep the top clear of detritus, eye masks, tissues, etc., and enjoy the clarity a clear surface brings.'

'In addition, if feng shui is fully implemented the energy of the room may change slightly each year, and it’s much easier to uplift the energy when a space is easily adaptable.'

Finally, Suzanne recommends you treat the bedroom as a sanctuary from the big wide world. 'You don’t need a library at the bedside, or pet toys, tech, projects, or indeed anything which does not relate to sleep and intimacy. Plants are not helpful, and please don’t display photos of anyone you wouldn’t want to see you naked. This is not the time and place for your Mother-in-law to be gazing upon you!'

If you're also struggling with restless nights, it might be time to consider whether your bedroom is working for or against you too with these expert tips on finding your zen with Feng Shui.