Stage your Bedroom with Feng Shui - Start 2009 Right! Welcome better sleep, better health and positive changes in the bedroom with Feng Shui. With the New Year approaching, now is the perfect time to invite positive change into your life.
Recommendations about Feng Shui remedies will vary from school to school and practitioner to practitioner. Often the focus is on compass direction, which may necessitate moving the bedroom to another part of the house. Since most of us cannot afford to move our bedroom or don't have the extra space, here are some tips to get your bedroom in top Feng Shui shape without a major upheaval, just an investment of your time. Despite the fact that different schools have differing "cures", following are some basic changes you can make that apply to all bedrooms. We can affect many positive changes in our lives just by applying intention - putting the energy into making a change and welcoming that change into our lives.
In Feng Shui and in life, the condition of the bedroom can influence your health and your relationship with your significant other.If you don't have a significant other, but would like one, the condition of your bedroom will effect your ability to "call in" love. Just as in the Feng Shui post I wrote about your kitchen, our goals are increasing cleanliness and organization with the additional goal of creating a calming environment that welcomes intimacy and affection. Of course getting rid of clutter to make room for whatever this new energy will bring is always high up on the list. Follow these steps to increase the quality of your sleep, health, love and general well being:
- Your bedroom should be used for sleeping, romantic interludes and getting dressed. NO TELEVISION! NO COMPUTER! NO DESK! NO TREADMILL (AKA place to drape your clothes). Read a book in bed if you must, but only when you are alone. Don't read self-help books or business books in bed. Electronic devices like TV's and Computers are greedy for your time. They are constantly calling your name... "Watch me, Bill", "Just one more comment, Janet". Don't make your spouse or partner compete for your attention. TVs and computers are very stimulating and they activate your brain. Watching or using them just before bed will prevent you from falling asleep quickly or sleeping soundly. Give your brain a chance to shut off and relax before bedtime.
- Make sure you have a comfortable mattress....not too firm and not too soft. This is one of the best investments you can make for your health and well-being. If you cannot afford a new mattress, then purchase a high quality mattress pad. Some of the new ones have a layer of memory foam that will turn your bed into a pillow top mattress. If you can afford a new mattress, now is an ideal time to purchase one. There are some amazing sales going on right now.
- If you recently ended a long relationship with someone who shared your bed, you should replace the mattress so you are not absorbing their energy every night. Send them, the bad memories and the shared mattress on down the road. If you cannot replace the mattress, then strip the bed, open the windows and beat the mattress with a baseball bat, broom stick or your fists, if necessary. This will raise a lot of dust. Wear a dust mask. When you are finished (and feel better) vacuum the mattress (both sides) and box spring and then re-make the bed with fresh new bedding and blankets. Again, there are some amazing sales right now on sheets and comforters. Under any circumstance, dispose of the other person's pillows - donate, give away or throw away.
- Purchase high thread count sheets. Preferably Pima, Supima or Egyptian cotton Sateen. Good quality sheets are not inexpensive but they will last a long time. We just got rid of sheets we got as a wedding present 10 years ago, and only because we upgraded to a king size bed. They just got softer and better with age. The more luxurious your bedroom the more you will feel relaxed and comforted by being there.
- Sheets and bedding in the red/yellow family represent warmth, passion and excitement. The stronger the color the more energizing. They are fire colors. This would include the full spectrum of reds, oranges, yellows and some purples hues that are more red than blue. It also includes pinks, pale oranges, pale yellows and pale lavenders.
- Sheets and bedding in the blue/green family represent calm, cool and relaxation. They are water colors. Think of a bubbling brook or the Mediterranean Sea. This would include the full spectrum of blues, greens and purples with a blue cast. It includes the palest blues, pales greens and palest purples. This is my personal favorite and my bedding and drapes are done in pale Mediterranean blues, which is balanced by pale yellow walls.
- White sheets are clean and pure. White is a metal color, although whites can run the gamut from warm white (influenced by fire) or the palest blue (influenced by water) among other elements. White denotes ever expanding possibilities.
- Animal print sheets are very energizing and 'active'. You probably won't get a lot of restful sleep on animal print sheets, (and you may not be able to find someone who is willing to share them with you in the long term) but you may have a lot of 'fun' of the animal kind! Animal prints are best confined to accents so they don't overwhelm the restful energy of your bedroom.
- Position your bed so that you have a clear view of the door (entry to the bedroom). Do not have your feet pointing toward the door (this is the way they will carry you out if you die in bed, according to old Chinese superstition). Ideally, your bed will be positioned against a solid wall and not in front of a window. The head of your bed should be touching a wall. Solid headboards are preferred over open headboards (they give the feeling of greater security)
- Don't store anything under the bed unless it is something that comforts you or symbolizes peacefulness and prosperity. Find another place to store those under bed items, donate them or throw them away. Just because you can't see it under the bed, it is still clutter.
- Clean your bedroom from top to bottom. If you have drapes wash them or clean them according to the manufacturers instructions. If they are clean, but just a little dusty, take them outside and give them a good shake. Wipe down the walls. Vacuum under the bed and get rid of all those dust bunnies.
- Clean out your dressers. If you haven't worn it in the past year, donate it, give it away or throw it away. If something needs to be mended, mend it, take it to the tailor or dry cleaners and have them mend it, or get rid of it. By the time a fashion comes back into style, you are probably too old to be wearing it anyway.
- Remove everything from your closets. Assess everything and determine if it is really useful. With the exception of some seasonal items, if you haven't used it in the past year, you should get rid of it (donate, give away to a friend, recycle or throw it away).If your closet is full of outdated, ill fitting items, there is no room for anything new to come into your life and it is a drag on your energy. The goal is to get rid of clutter and make space.
- Put the items you are keeping back in the closet in an orderly fashion, and in a manner that allows the item to be useful and of service to you. No matter what anyone tells you, if the organizational system is not organic to your way of doing things, you won't be able to maintain it and it will devolve into chaos quickly. I invested in Elfa type closet organizing systems for all our closets, and I consider it one of the best investments of time and money I have made. I can see everything I own and can choose what I want to wear quickly and easily. Stores like the Container Store will help you design your closets for maximum efficiency and you can install the elements yourself to save money.
- If possible use all the same hangers (you can buy nice wooden hangers from IKEA and they are inexpensive)
- Have the hangers facing the same way (most people prefer hooking hangers over the top of the bar from front to back as opposed to under the bar back to front)
- Separate the types of clothes - group shirts with shirts, pants with pants, dresses with dresses
- Organize by style - group all short sleeve shirts with short sleeve shirts, long sleeve shirts with long sleeve shirts, etc.
- Put all shoes on shoe racks, hanging shoe organizers, or clear plastic shoe boxes
- Whenever possible don't keep anything on the floor of your closet except shoes and those should be neatly organized on shoe racks.
- Make sure your have two night stands and two working lamps, one on each side of the bed. If you don't have a partner, but would like one, this creates a space for them in your life. If you have a partner, and want to keep them, this lets them know you value them and are concerned for their comfort.
- Artwork and accessories should be in pairs when possible and depicting romantic love, peacefulness, relaxation, trust or support depending upon your priorities and goals. Remove family photos from your bedroom (do you really want them to 'see' and participate in everything you do?) Photos of people should be limited to you and your significant other. Artwork should be calming not energizing.
The Chinese New Year is just around the corner and the Western New Year has just arrived. Welcome the New Years with a clean, relaxing, uncluttered bedroom. In Feng Shui, the condition of the bedroom will influence your relationships, sense of well-being and good health. Follow the above steps and welcome more restful sleep, more fulfilling relationships, better health and greater well-being in 2009.
Read Stage Your Kitchen With Feng Shui - Start 2009 Right!
May Prosperity, Happiness and Good Fortune be your constant companions in 2009
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*Stage Your Bedroom With Feng Shui - Start 2009 Right!* ©2009 Michelle Minch and Moving Mountains Design.
Michelle Minch is a graduate of the Western School of Feng Shui. For more information about home staging and feng shui please visit our Los Angeles home staging web site or contact Michelle at (626)441-8975. Moving Mountains Design has been featured in the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Sunset Magazine and numerous other national and international publications. Moving Mountains Design is a full service interior design and home staging company in Los Angeles.
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2010 RESA Professional Stager of the Year
Michelle has staged hundreds of Los Angeles homes, many of which have sold with multiple offers, above listing price.
She works with home sellers, listing agents and asset managers to prepare homes for sale throughout Los Angeles.
Moving Mountains Design provides vacant home staging, occupied home staging, color consultations, corporate and executive relocations, move organization, redesign, and interior design. We also stage model homes, REOs,foreclosures and auction properties for real estate investors and asset managers.
For more information about our Los Angeles home staging services, contact Michelle at (626)385-8852 or by email.
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Ok thanks Michelle, I'm a believer of NO tv in the bedroom, but the family photos...arghhh...my little grandkids and my mom and dad, OH I see your point...ok then, will find another place. Lol
Thanks for the wisdom and feng shui in this post. Hoping to see you in LA...
Hi Michelle - without knowing much about Feng Shui, I have managed to have my bedroom incorporate just about every one of your points, with the exception of the TV. I have a small one tucked away in the corner where you don't see it upon first entering my bedroom. I'm glad to know that my instincts steered me correctly, at least in my bedroom.
Happy New Year,
Ann
Happy New Year Ann. You have very good instincts to have incorporated all, or most, of these points. If the TV must stay, I suggest you cover it with a pretty scarf, throw or piece of fabric. This way, you will deflect some of that electronic energy when you are not watching it.
Terrylynn: I'm not saying to get rid of the photos, just move them someplace more appropriate. I look forward to seeing you in LA for the Expo.
MIchelle, can you comment on mirrors in the bedroom? Mine are not there for the ole' 60's reason (-: but I remember reading somewhere that they are a no-no in that space, right? Thanks.
Also has the date for the next LA expo been set? Happy New Year.
Michelle ~ I've got most of these points covered in my bedroom .... but I have a TV in case I wake up in the middle of the night as it puts me right back to sleep. I need to work on my closet though -- that's on my list of things to do!
Michelle, Thank you for another great post. These things can really make a difference--ALL of them. I have to say I got the huggable hangers from HSN created by Joy Mangano and they are wonderful---perfect for organizing closets! I do almost all these things but do them just before the Chinese New Year :)
Ginger: Mirrors are usually frowned upon for bedrooms because of their energy. Also we can be startled to wake up and see our reflection in the mirror, as it another person was in the room. I believe the Expo is scheduled for February in Los Angeles.
Maureen: These are very general recommendations. Everyone is different. For some people, having the television on is like a sleeping pill, but for most people it has the opposite effect. The important questions are 'are you well rested when you wake up in the morning?', 'are you happy with your relationship with your significant other?' and 'are you happy with your love life?' If everything else is working, than the TV in the bedroom may not be causing problems for you. I think you will feel more relaxed once you get through your closet. It is an energy drain when it is not in the condition we would like it to be.
Carole: Western New Year, Chinese New Year, the important thing is to get them done. I think the New Year is just a strong kick in the pants to get us motivated. It is great to start something new with a clean slate and our intentions are the most important part regardless of the date. Thanks for commenting.
Another great feng shui post! We've never had a TV in our bedroom so that's good. And I have a set of calming ocean themed abstract oil paintings in my room. I think I need some high thread count sheets to replace the ones I got for my wedding though. They have gotten too stretched out for my husband. But I LOVED those sheets. It was a pleasure climbing into bed each night. Thanks for the reminder.
Thank you Annie. I lucked out last month and scooped up some very high quality flannel sheets made by Martha Stewart (her luxury line at Macy's). They were 65% off plus an additional 20% so they were dirt cheap. I bought them because I liked the color (a soothing pale Mediterranean blue) but I was knocked out by the quality. The weave is tight, no pilling and they are soft as butter. They are my new favorites. I like them so much that I went back and bought a second set - and those were marked down even more. I wound up spending less than $100 for 2 really luxurious King sheet sets including pillow cases. There are some really fabulous bedding sales going on now. Take advantage and stock up. Happy New Year!
Michelle - Thanks so much for this post....I have often wondered about feng shui rules for the bedroom. The TV thing will be a hard one. I'm a sheet snob and my husband does not understand it, I'm going to show this post to him and explain it's a feng shui thing honey - I have to. Seriously, I'm interested in other sheet sets you have found. I can't do flannel because I like sheets cold and crisp and they would be too warm in AZ. Any other great sets you can think of would be appreciated. I like the Hotel Collection at Macy's and Nordstroms but they can be pricey. I sprulged one time on a king set that cost $1200, but that was after a long lunch in Scottsdale with the girls - in a very weak, crazy, couple glasses of wine, moment. Now maybe you understand why he thinks I'm crazy!
I'm in big trouble, breaking way too many of these rules! I guess my to-do list just got a little lot longer. I understand the concepts, Michelle, it's taking the time to put them into practice that's the issue for me. Hope your New Year is starting out just right.
Great Blog Michelle, I look forward to the next one. I have been told that I have to start Blogging and responding so that I am not a lurker. Lori is such a slave driver. Ryan
WOW Michelle! What an AWESOME post! I love your colors but, the content is amazing! I hope you don't mind if I print and use as a reminder for my own home and my clients' too? Thanks for the wonderful tips.
Debbie: I'm a sheet snob too, so I get what you are saying. I have to say, though, that I have never spent anywhere close to $1200 on a set of sheets. That one wins the prize. You know you can buy Pratesi sheets at Tuesday Morning, right? Last time I was in Macy's the entire Hotel collection was on sale at pretty steep discounts. You might check them out in the store or on-line. I wouldn't sleep on flannel sheets if we didn't keep the heat set at 62 degrees at night in the winter. I sleep best when my nose is cold but my feet are toasty:o))
Lisa: Don't try to do it all at once if the task is too daunting. Pick one project and get that done, like cleaning out one closet, or even 1 or 2 drawers if a whole closet is too much. I promise you, you will feel so much better and you may do a second project once you get started. Remember you are making space for prosperity in your closet.
Ryan: Well, I am glad you picked me to start with! Welcome aboard. Lori Kim speaks so highly of you, I was hoping we would get to meet. Commenting is a good way to get started, and thanks for yours.
Debe: I wrote this to be helpful. I hope you will share it with your clients. Feel free to re-blog it too. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Hi Michelle! Great Post!! I've begged my husband to move the flat screen in our bedroom to his office!! I sent him your post. Hoping reading this from someone else will help!!! Thank you!!!!
Hi Cathy: If he won't remove it, then cover it with a scarf, throw or fabric you like when it is not in use. Tell him there will be more nookie in his future if he removes the TV. It will be gone before the end of the day:o)) Thanks!
Hi Michelle! Another great post! I did my kitchen ( well most of it, still have some to donate). Now I am on to the bedroom which will be more difficult. TV, StairMaster, ect!! We will see how far I get with that :)
Good Luck Wendy and thank you! I'm rooting for you. Don't you feel much better now that your kitchen is in order?
Yes I do! But cleaning out my master closet took 2 days on and off! That feels great too! We also did the garage since hubby is on vacation! A few things still left but I love starting out the new year feeling organized and in control! Type A or Feng Shui ??? :)
Hold the door Michelle - Are you kidding me, Pratesi Sheets at Tuesday Mornings? You are my new "sheet snob best friend"! My husband will not like it but seriously Pratesi- are they legit and nice? I can hardly breath right now....going to the store tomorrow. I was at a store last week where they were $1100 per sheet - I just stood there and rubbed them....I have a problem. I spent about $700 for a set of Hotel Collection sheets that were 800 thread count so I'm sure I got ripped off. I will not spend money on designer clothes, handbags or shoes, but point me toward great sheets and I would sell my first born (she's 36 now so not sure how much I would get) but you get the point.
Thanks for the info.
Wendy: Sounds like a little bit of both, but you are very lucky to have a willing partner. Now is a really good time to get it done, at the beginning of the year. It bodes well for your prosperity prospects.
Debbie: Yes Ma'am Pratesi sheets at Tuesday Morning. The one near my house has them pretty often, although I haven't looked lately. They still are not cheap, but much less expensive than retail (more than half off). Let us know if you get lucky:o)) I hope your husband won't hate me for feeding your addiction.
Ok....I am going to take care of this right now!!! I am MOTIVATED.
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Patricia: You are most welcome. Go, Patricia, Go!! Glad I could provide some motivation.
Michelle, Great suggestions. This is a great project to kick off the new year.
Hi Jo: Thank you. I guess you weren't signed in. I have been working to implement everything for the past couple of days. Now I have to tackle my office. Yikes!
Michelle, Thanks. I had not seen this post! I blew it already there is a huge tv in my bedroom. I have Egyptian Cotton sheets and love them.
Tanya: If you can't move the TV, cover it with something (other than clothes:o)) when it is not in use (which should be never in the bedroom).
Carole: Thank you for the Chi Award. I am honored. You are such a kind and generous person.
Hi Michelle - Loved this post and have been wanting to read up and learn more about Feng Shui. I understand that there is MUCH to learn! Any books that have been particularly helpful to you?
Thanks for the bedroom tips. I had to laugh when it came to getting rid of the mattress and pillows that you shared with an ex. Man...I needed to read this 4 years ago. No wonder my new husband is having nightmares...he's sleeping on my ex-husbands side of the bed. Ewwww!
Tomorrow when I wake up I'm getting bats for both kids and myself and we are gonna whack the heck out of the bed. They'll have a blast and just think that I'm a cool mom that came up w/ a cool new game to play. LOL
Best wishes!
Reece: I wish I could be a fly on the wall for that one! Don't do it with anger. Remember your goal is releasing old, negative energy. Replace it with positive energy, not more negative. And open the windows while you are doing it. Let the mattress air out a bit, vacuum the room meticulously when you are done. We are supposed to have another glorious, sunny CA day. Take advantage of it!
Michelle, I'm emailing this right now to my grown daughter. She sleeps with the TV on all night, and her room is a mess. No wonder she can't find the right guy!
My bedroom is everything you said it should be, except for the underbed boxes of wrapping paper. Oh, and the nice yellow or red sheets. Oh, and maybe I should wash the curtains. Hmmm, guess I still have work to do.
Thanks for the great post!
Linda: She sleeps with a TV. What man can compete with that? And when a man sees a woman with a messy room, if he is considering her for a serious relationship, he will run in the other direction. Who wants to have to clean up for someone else?
There are worse things to keep under a bed besides wrapping paper...much worse. At least it has positive emotions associated with it. But if you can find someplace else to store it, so much he better. Set aside an hour or two on a Saturday and knock out your bedroom. It will give you a real sense of accomplishment and you will feel immediately better.
Wow, someone else who stores wrapping paper under the bed! Where do we put those long rolls? Loved the post! I'm definitely going to try and change. However, my husband needs the TV. That will be a hard one to change. Me, I sleep like a rock. What about mirrored closet doors in a bedroom? Good, not good?
Diane
Hi Diane: Mirrored closet doors are generally not good in a bedroom. Mirrors project or reflect a lot of energy, something you don't want in a bedroom. If you can't change them, then consider hanging nice curtains over them that can be opened when you need to get in the closet and closed when you are sleeping. Regarding the TV, keep it covered with a nice scarf or throw when you aren't using it.
Regarding, storing wrapping paper rolls, I solved that by using a deep cardboard box, open on the long end, and store them upright, some paper rolls ,inside of others. It is great easy to find, and easy to store. There is also a Rubbermaid product made specifically for wrapping paper, It too can be stored upright, in the garage?
Thank you for your phone conversation this morning Michelle. The T.V. is leaving the bedroom, even though it is a little tiny one,; I am on a mission for baseball bat for the mattress set.
Happy St. Patrick's to all the ladies working to make their lives better, more productive, and successful!
Thanks Trudy. Glad I could help. Good luck on your quest.