Have you ever walked into a room and instantly felt at ease, or conversely, strangely unsettled? That’s feng shui at work. This ancient art teaches us how to arrange our spaces so that life-giving chi energy can dance freely through our homes, nourishing every aspect of our lives from restful sleep to thriving relationships.
If you’ve been struggling with low energy, poor sleep, or just a general sense of unease at home, you might be making one of these 5 common feng shui mistakes. The good news? They’re all easy to fix!
Pushing Your Bed Into a Corner
According to feng shui, corners act as energy dead zones where chi becomes trapped and stagnant – especially problematic when your bed occupies this space. This cramped positioning can trigger restless nights filled with tossing and turning, leave you dragging through mornings with inexplicable fatigue, and even create a subtle but persistent sense of being stuck in other areas of life.
The Fix:
Try shifting your bed just a few inches away from the walls. This small change can help energy flow more freely around your space.
If space is tight, angle the bed slightly instead of pressing it flush against both walls.
Add a plant or lamp in the corner to activate the stagnant energy.
Sleeping with a Mirror Positioned Toward Your Bed
Mirrors can boost energy, but sometimes that boost isn’t exactly positive. If one reflects your bed while you sleep, it can disrupt deep sleep (feng shui believes it “doubles” your energy, making rest less restorative). For some people, it can also create subconscious unease or stir up relationship tensions (some traditions warn that it invites a “third party” energy).
The Fix:
Shift the mirror so it’s not reflecting your bed straight on.
If you love having a mirror in the bedroom (for getting ready), cover it at night with a cloth or position it inside a closet door.
Use a small, round mirror (softer energy) instead of a large, sharp-edged one.
Having a Cluttered Entryway
Your front door acts as the “mouth of chi,” the main gateway where energy flows into your home. If it’s blocked by shoes, bags, or piles of mail, you’re literally blocking opportunities from flowing in. Having clutter in this area can make you feel overwhelmed or sap your motivation. For some, it might even cause financial stagnation (energy can’t circulate freely) or a sense of chaos in daily life.
The Fix:
Keep pathways clear—no tripping over shoes!
Add a small entryway table or shelf to organize keys, mail, and essentials.
Place a prosperity symbol—such as a lucky bamboo plant or a bowl of citrine crystals—near the door to invite abundance. On the first day of each month, try blowing cinnamon to attract greater luck and abundance into your life. You can do it in your entryway or on the doorstep. Here’s what to say when blowing cinnamon in your home.
Putting Your Desk (or Stove) in a Bad Spot
In feng shui, your desk (where you work) and stove (where you “cook up” abundance) should never face a wall or be placed in a cramped corner. This setup can limit career growth (symbolically, you’re “up against a wall”), reduce creativity and motivation, and even make finances feel strained.
The Fix:
Set up your desk so you have a sturdy wall behind you and can easily see the door—this is called the “commanding position.”
If your stove is stuck in a corner, hang a mirror behind it (to symbolically expand the space) or place a small green plant nearby to boost vitality.
Avoid sitting (or cooking) with your back to a door—it creates subconscious stress.
Sleeping Under Exposed Beams or Slanted Ceilings
Overhead beams or sharply sloped ceilings create “pressure” energy, which can feel oppressive. Sleeping or working under them may cause headaches or chronic stress. For some, it may also cause a sense of being “weighed down” by responsibilities or strained relationships (arguments, miscommunication).
The Fix:
Move your bed or desk out from under the beam.
If you can’t relocate, soften the edge with fabric drapes, a canopy bed, or even paint the beam the same color as the ceiling to make it less noticeable.
Place uplifting decor (like airy artwork or a bright light fixture) beneath it to counteract heaviness.
Final Tip: Small Changes, Big Shifts
Feng shui isn’t about strict rules. It’s about adjusting your space to support your well-being. Even tiny tweaks (like moving a mirror or sprinkling cinnamon in a doorway) can make a surprising difference in how you feel at home.
Try fixing just one this week and see if you notice a shift in your energy, sleep, or mindset. Often, it’s the tiniest adjustments that lead to the greatest benefits!
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