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Even the smallest of spaces can be organized in such a way that brings a sense of calm and relaxation with the help of feng shui. The ancient Chinese practice is all about striking the perfect balance between the five elements of nature: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal. According to Nicole Seidlitz, founder of Tree of Life Feng Shui and instructor at the International Feng Shui School, "The goal when applying feng shui is to ensure a space is supportive and nurturing to its inhabitants."
Meet the Expert
With her Master Certification in Classical Feng Shui from the International Feng Shui School, Nicole Seidlitz started Tree of Life Classical Feng Shui providing residential and business Feng Shui consultations.
One room in your home that should certainly feel supportive and nurturing is the bedroom. "Bedrooms are spaces for rest, relaxation, and romance," explains Seidlitz. Using its principles, you can put feng shui small bedroom ideas to work and create a space that feels both palatial and peaceful.
Remember that a basic premise of feng shui indicates that your home is an outward expression of your "inner world."
In other words, "The things we have in our home, the number of them, and the way we place them is directly linked to the experiences, emotions, and situations we are living," she says. It's the same reason things tend to get cluttered when you feel stressed and why cleaning has the ability to make you feel calm and in control. If you're looking to apply the principles of this ancient practice to your home for a soothing space that feels expansive, take note of Seidlitz's nine feng shui small bedroom ideas.
Create Good Vibes
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"Crystals can be very soothing and relaxing," Seidlitz explains. Although she notes that these stones can affect people in different ways, so you'll want to find ones that feel best for you. A good place to start is with rose quartz, a crystal known for its loving, heart-healing vibes. "I have yet to find someone who is not soothed by this crystal," she says.
If crystals aren't for you, opt for a salt lamp or an essential oil diffuser. Salt lamps are thought to promote sleep and cleanse the air by reducing electromagnetic frequencies, according to Seidlitz, and essential oils like chamomile and lavender can help soothe you to sleep.
Utilize Natural Light
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Light is vital for both making a small space feel larger and for balancing the feng shui of a room. "Ideally you want to have natural light in the morning to awaken your body naturally and, conversely, have less light at night to signal your body it's time to wind down," Seidlitz says. If your small bedroom doesn't allow for much natural light to shine through, you can always strategically place a mirror to enhance any small amount of light that does peak through or opt for full-spectrum light bulbs that mimic natural light.
Pair Off
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Seidlitz recommends placing furniture and décor in pairs when practicing feng shui in a small bedroom. Think two nightstands, two table lamps, and two bedside crystals when selecting and placing pieces. This will create a feeling of symmetry and balance.
Hang Artwork
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"Art in bedrooms should reflect the ultimate goal of the room," says Seidlitz. For example, if you're looking for love, perhaps hang a painting or a print that evokes the feelings you want to experience. If you already share a room with a significant other, consider displaying photos of special moments that the two of you have shared together. As with other elements of décor, you'll want to hang art in pairs.
In order to make the room feel the most expansive, pieces should be hung at eye level and shouldn't overpower the space. "Less on the walls is better as it will give the room a feeling of being larger," she says.
Pick Light Paint Colors
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Lighter colors work to make a space feel larger and to create a more soothing, relaxing atmosphere. Try off-white tones or pastels if you can't go without a bit of color. While the paint may be muted, Seidlitz suggests adding pops of color through your artwork and décor.
Strategically Place the Bed
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"In order for a room to be conducive to rest and relaxation, the most important thing is the placement of the bed," explains Seidlitz. She recommends placing the bed against a solid wall as opposed to beneath a window. Additionally, you should have a full view of the door from your bed (just be sure not to put the bed directly in the door's path). If possible, leave plenty of space in front of the bed.
Keep Just the Essentials
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Search for small pieces of furniture that you truly need in order to make the most of a small space and keep the positive energy flowing. All you really need is a bed, nightstands, and a dresser if you don't have enough closet space. This will keep any small bedroom looking and feeling as large as possible (plus, it will be easier to keep tidy with fewer places to stash clutter).
Display a Mirror
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Not only can mirrors reflect natural light they can also make a space feel much larger than it actually is. The only rule Seidlitz has for bringing mirrors into the bedroom is making sure they're placed in such a way that you can't see your reflection when lying in bed. "From a feng shui perspective, a reflection of yourself when sleeping causes restlessness in the body and is not conducive to a good night's sleep," she says.
Eliminate Clutter
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"Keeping the room tidy and organized is crucial when wanting to promote good energy," according to Seidlitz. "Accumulation of things, especially unused things, makes it hard for the body to relax and rest properly, not to mention the reduction of space in an already small room." That means finding a place for all of your clothes, books, and knick-knacks, doing your best to keep technology out of the bedroom, and only keeping items you really love.