Q&A Sunday: Improving a Bedroom

Is it ok to place the bed where the headboard is on the same side of bedroom door? Opposite the door is a 2-door built-in closet, and the window is in the corner on the on the same side of the closet. Also, the centralized air conditioning outlet is on the same side as the entrance, and the air is blowing right on our heads when we sleep. I'd like to do a complete make over of the room to create more space and am thinking of getting rid of our TV stand with cupboards and our dresser. What is the best color for a bedroom? Is pink relaxing? I am a widow, so only my daughter and I are sleeping in the room.

Carina T., Salmiya, Kuwait

 

Hi Carina

Hello to Kuwait! Thank you for your email, floor plan and questions.

First question: Headboard on same side of bedroom door

According to the basic feng shui principle of the commanding position, you do not want locate your headboard on the same wall as your bedroom door. In your floor plan it looks like your headboard is not on the same wall. So that would be good, and you would be in command.

When you arrange your bed so that you cannot see the door from your sleeping position, you are unable to see what is coming at you, both physically and metaphorically. In feng shui philosophy, it's best to be able to see what may be approaching you so that you can seize opportunities and prepare for other circumstances. Physiologically, having your back to the door produces a stress response, and even though you may not feel it directly, it wears down over time and can create health issues. 

However your bed is right next to the wall. It would be better if you could have some space between the bed and the wall. Perhaps because you are a widow, you need that extra support on the side wall. But overall it’s better to move that bed away from the wall if you can. Ideally 18”, but as much as you can.

Second question: Air conditioning blowing on your heads

This is not very comfortable to have the air conditioning blowing on your head, however I don’t think you have enough room to place the bed in any other location. Is there a way to change the direction of the air so it’s more comfortable? This is more of a mundane issue, as the bed location is more important.

Third question: Making more space, removing TV stand and dresser

It would be great if you could eliminate the TV in the bedroom, as it creates a more peaceful and EMF-free environment. This is especially important if you have sleeping problems. The dresser can go, if it’s not necessary. Then that gives you some space to move your bed over more into command and off the wall.

Final question: Color for room

In general, I always ask what color YOU like. But as a guideline, blues and greens, as well as earth tones can be healing, relaxing and supportive. Pink is not necessarily relaxing… but if it’s a color you like, listen to your intuition. Pink relates to relationships and the mother in feng shui philosophy. It’s also feminine and yin. So maybe you’re drawn to pink because you need some support!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" (formerly “Question of the Month”).  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: Laying a Bagua with an Unused Front Door

I am a bit confused on how to lay the bagua map on my kitchen. I saw that for the entire house, it should be lain on the front door, whether it gets used or not, but my kitchen has the door we use all the time. It makes sense to me that that is where the bagua map should be aligned, but I want to make sure. The door we always use to come in and out of the house is on the east wall in the middle of the room, with the doorway to the rest of the interior of the house through the dining room on the south wall. If the map is aligned with the door to the dining room (since the kitchen is part of the greater whole of the house), that door would be in the benefactors gua, and the outside door would be in the completion gua. 

Judy S., Alstead, NH

Hi Judy

Thanks for your email! I’m so glad you like the podcasts and blog. I’m glad it can help you.

We never got your floor plan. Our team did email you again, but didn’t hear back. You’re still welcome to send it in to info@holisticspaces.com. It is true that a picture can say a thousand words. But based on your question, let’s see what we can do! 

Yes, the main bagua of the house is based on the formal front door, whether it’s used or not. As a reminder, be sure to use the front door periodically, maybe once every 9 days, to keep the qi active there. There are many many people who use their kitchen door more often than the front door. So you can have a secondary bagua map, however this is advanced. As a non-practioner, you should place the main bagua map based on your formal front door.

On a separate note, doors represent the mouth of the inhabitants. Doors are portals. The confusion with all the doors may indicate some confusion with the voices in the home. Perhaps there are too many voices? Or there are power struggles and it’s difficult to tell who’s in charge in the household. Food for thought!

Again, please do try to email us your floor plan! We’d love to help you out!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui questions!