Q&A Sunday: Can I Use a Mirror as a Headboard

Anjie Cho July 4, 2021

I wanted to know what you thought about using a mirror as a headboard.

Carla P., Houston, TX

Hi Carla,

Thanks for your question!

I would probably advise that it would not be ideal to use a mirror for a headboard if you’re doing this to improve your feng shui. Of course, you can use whatever you like for a headboard, but feng shui-wise there are a few problems I can foresee.

First of all, it’s important in feng shui philosophy to have a headboard, because it provides stability and connects both sides of the bed. I would have to assume that if you want a mirror as a headboard, it is not a mirrored headboard, rather a mirror you’re adapting into a headboard. So then you wouldn’t be able to attach it to the bed frame.

Second, if you could attach it to the bed frame, it seems a bit dangerous to have a mirror fastened to the bed. Or to lean on a mirror while sitting up in bed. It could very easily be broken, and of course broken glass can be a nightmare to clean up. And it would be a literal nightmare waking up to glass shards in your bed.

There are always exceptions, for instance maybe there’s a lovely headboard that has mirror on it. However the sense I’m getting from your question is that you want to use a mirror in lieu of a headboard, in which case I would not recommend that.

The ideal headboard in feng shui is solid, connected to the bed and supports both partners safely. You can read up on that here. Of course it is fine to have mirrors in the bedroom, at least in BTB feng shui, and you can certainly include one above your headboard, but unless you have a headboard with a mirror already purchased, there should be plenty of beautiful options that will be more supportive in that role. :)

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". If you have personal questions, we encourage you to check out Practical Feng Shui or hire one of Anjie's Grads.

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui and the Fire Element

Guest User June 27, 2021

Can you tell me more about the fire element?

We use the five elements in a lot of feng shui applications. The five elements are earth, metal, water, wood, and fire. Right now, we’re in a fire season. Fire is related to summertime and we just had the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, so it seemed like a good time to answer this question and talk about what the fire element means in feng shui.

Feng shui is related to a lot of different Asian modalities that also use the five elements, like Taoism and Chinese acupuncture. We also find the elements in many different cultures, and across the board, fire looks very similar. As humans, we have this connection to fire, and we really understand it. Fire is bright, consuming, red, and it stands out. It’s also this expansive energy. Of course, summertime is very fiery.

If you want to bring the fire element into your home with feng shui, you can start to bring in different aspects of fire. One of these is the color red. Red and fire are not only related to heat and summer, but also being seen in the world and your reputation. If you feel like people pass you over for promotions, or you’re not being recognized for all the good work that you do, you might need to bring in some more fire element.

Fire is also related to triangle shapes. This is a connection that is seen in many cultures. Bringing in that fiery triangle shape is another way to add more fire energy to your home.

My favorite way to bring the fire element into your home is to use your voice and sing. Professor Lin Yun, who brought BTB feng shui to the West, talked about letting your heart sing to really activate the fire element. I recommend you put on your favorite music, and then sing out loud and dance around! This will really inspire some passion, and invoke the fire element to promote more vitality. Allow yourself to be heard and seen in the world!

I hope you have fun working with the fire element!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui for Beginners

Guest User June 20, 2021

I’m new to feng shui. Where should I start?

One of the most important areas to look at for your feng shui, especially for beginners, is your front door. We call the front door or the formal front entry the “mouth of qi,” and this is where energy comes into your space. It’s like a portal or gateway to receive any kind of qi or life force energy. Ideally, you want it to be able to come in through your front door and properly circulate through your home. This allows you to be more in balance, and to invite in positive energy from the outside world and the natural world.

When it comes to your front door, there are a few really simple things you can do. First, make sure your entry is clean and inviting. You should also be able to open the door fully, so remove anything behind the door that is getting in the way, like trash cans or hanging coats. It’s also a good idea to make sure your entry is bright and well-lit, so if you need to, add a light fixture or a new lightbulb.

I would also suggest you take some time to put some care and attention into this area of your home. You can do this by sweeping and removing any debris. It’s also helpful to clean the door itself.

One other thing I see often is that when people are decluttering, they tend to accumulate the things they want to get rid of near the front door. That’s ok as long as it’s temporary, but make sure to move the things out of your home soon. If you have a blocked front door, that means that the energy also has a difficult time coming into your space and your life. You may not be allowing opportunities to come to you.

I hope you are able to spend some time this week cleaning up your front door, and inviting in positive qi!

by Anjie Cho