Homeowners are being cautioned about the potential adverse effects of having a mirror facing their bed, as it can disrupt their sleep and create unfavorable Feng Shui.
Me and My Glass experts have highlighted several reasons why placing a mirror near your sleeping area may not be advisable. Firstly, according to Feng Shui principles, mirrors positioned opposite the bed can reflect negative thoughts, stresses, and worries, which can hinder one’s ability to sleep.
Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese practice, focuses on the arrangement of objects in our surroundings and is rooted in the belief that our homes mirror our inner states. Practitioners of Feng Shui arrange items in their homes to establish harmony with the natural world, and experts in this field can provide guidance on optimizing the flow of energy in your living spaces.
Sleep & Interiors Expert from Vinus, Victoria Cedeno, said ‘While homeware and furniture choices ultimately depend on personal preference, incorporating Feng Shui principles can help create a home environment that feels calming and harmonious.
‘In particular, paying attention to Feng Shui in the bedroom can promote better sleep patterns and overall wellness.
‘Feng Shui practices offer varying perspectives on the role of mirrors in the bedroom.’
‘Some suggest avoiding them altogether, while others recommend positioning them away from the bed.’
‘This advice is rooted in the notion that mirrors have the power to reflect and intensify both positive and negative energy, potentially interfering with sleep quality.’
She advised ‘to add a mirror to your bedroom, consider placing it facing the window to encourage the natural light, which can then be adjusted with curtains if necessary.
‘Avoid placing the mirror at bed level by hanging it above drawers.’
‘Alternatively, those wanting a full-length mirror without it being prominently displayed should try positioning it inside a wardrobe.’
Another Feng Shui expert, Janine Lowe, added ‘A mirror can bring discord to a relationship if placed in the wrong position in the bedroom.
‘I have my mirror placed inside my wardrobe door and that solves all problems.
‘Hallways are excellent areas to place mirrors. Placement depends on what way your front door opens.
‘So, my suggestion is, as your door opens place it on the facing wall, allowing the positive energy from the outside to reflect off the mirror and bounce around the house.’
Aside from the Fung Shui guidelines, placing a mirror in this position is frowned upon and associated with bad luck in many cultures.
Placing a mirror in front of your bed raises additional design considerations.
A big object like a bed can reflect light and “draw the room inward,” giving the impression that it is smaller and more claustrophobic.
“From a design perspective, your mirror shouldn’t really face your bed,” said John Cutts, the creator of Me and My Glass.
‘If you’re a bit of a messy person the mirror is only going to amplify your unmade bed along with any other clutter you may have on there.
‘The reflection of a big bed can also make your room appear smaller. To maximise the use of a mirror in the bedroom and help the space to look bigger, you’ll want to make sure the mirror is reflecting natural light.’
Based on the teachings of Traditional Chinese Medicine, feng shui (meaning wind and water) is dubbed ‘acupuncture for the home’ because it benefits your health through opening up channels in your environment where energy can flow.
How does it work?
A feng shui consultant analyses your home or workplace and advises how ‘chi’ or energy can circulate through your home more freely.
If your apartment or office is small and compact, he might introduce the impression of space through hanging mirrors – where ‘chi’ can bounce off the glass and circulate the room.
Alternatively, a practitioner might install potted plants into a room. According to Raymond Catchpole, chair of the Feng Shui Society, money plants are particularly helpful in unblocking energy because it absorbs harmful ions in our environment.
‘The air we breathe is made up of two different types of electrically charged particles called ions – negative ions and positive ions,’ he says.
Surprisingly, the negative ions are better for us than the positive ones because oxygen consists of negative ions and nitrogen of positive ones.
To maintain our health, the air’s concentration of positive and negative ions must be precisely balanced.
We will be breathing in less oxygen if the negative ions are reduced in any way. Reduced blood oxygen levels can cause a number of health issues, including allergy and respiratory disorders.
What is the proof that it is effective?
NASA experiments have demonstrated that a variety of common pot plants can efficiently detoxify our homes by removing harmful vapors and reintroducing oxygen into the atmosphere.