Feng shui mirror rules can seem a little tricky. The ancient Chinese art promises rich benefits to quality of life when following its precepts, but those on the subject of mirrors can sometimes seem harder to understand than other guidance.
This is particularly the case in bedroom feng shui with careful placement an essential if you are to have bedroom mirrors (and some practitioners cautioning against it entirely, an issue we’ll return to).
Here, we examine the feng shui mirror rules that can help bring wealth and prosperity and promote well-being.
Feng shui mirror rules
Feng shui meaning implies the idea that human life is connected to the environment. It comes from the Taoist belief in chi, which is the life force present in everything. In feng shui arranging objects and choosing decor has the aim of balancing opposing but complementary yin and yang elements to improve the flow of positive chi, and ward off negative chi.
Why are mirrors important? ‘Mirrors are a powerful tool in feng shui as they are said to double or increase whatever they “see”, but they do need to be used with care,’ says interiors therapy and feng shui expert Suzanne Roynon (opens in new tab).
Feng shui mirror rules for the bedroom
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
Following feng shui mirror rules for the bedroom can help promote a peaceful night’s sleep and the well-being this brings.
Whether you should have a mirror in your bedroom is disputed in feng shui with some practitioners advising that they shouldn’t be hung in the room. But if you do want a mirror in there (and most of us do), then there are ways to hang one without causing problems according to feng shui.
‘Mirrors in the bedroom should never reflect a bed for two reasons; they invite the energy of a third (and fourth!) person into the relationship and also drain the energy of a sleeper. Position any mirrors so they are angled away from the bed or too high for the occupants to see themselves while sitting or lying in bed,’ says Suzanne Roynon.
Be sure to follow the guidance on feng shui bedroom layout and feng shui bed placement, too, as well as on feng shui bedroom colors for a restful and revitalizing room.
Feng shui mirror rules for the living room
(Image credit: Davide Lovatti)
Living room feng shui can include decorating with mirrors and one of these is said to attract prosperity provided it is positioned correctly. Be sure to reflect a beautiful view in the mirror for positive energy while avoiding reflecting features that aren’t pleasing. Avoid, too, placing a mirror above a couch or armchair.
‘Mirrors in the living room make things feel more festive by increasing the number of people present in the room,’ says Zoe Warren at PriceYourJob (opens in new tab). ‘If your guests are negative, however, this can double the negativity. Be careful who you invite into your home and ask guests to leave their drama at home.’
Feng shui mirror rules for the kitchen
(Image credit: Davide Lovati)
Surprised to hear there are kitchen feng shui ideas involving mirrors? First, you need to know that in feng shui, the range represents your career and wealth. Follow the feng shui rules and you should be able to see the door while you’re cooking on the range, without its being in line with the door. This way, you are in charge of your career path, and can see opportunities as they arise.
How does a mirror come into it? If the range isn’t placed where you can see the door and you can’t change its position, add a mirror in a location that allows you to see the door behind you while you’re cooking. Alternatively, opt for a mirrored backsplash to achieve the same goal.
Feng shui mirror rules for the home office
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Office feng shui won’t necessarily involve feng shui mirror rules but a mirror could be used to good advantage in a home work space.
‘Whichever room you are in, if the door is not clearly visible, position a mirror so it reflects the entrance and you’ll notice if someone comes through it,’ says Suzanne Roynon. ‘It only needs to be a small mirror as you don’t want to reflect the helpful energy back out again. This can be particularly helpful in a home office if the chair has its back to the door as the occupant can otherwise feel vulnerable and out of control.’
Feng shui mirror rules for the bathroom
(Image credit: Brent Darby)
Bathroom feng shui implies the location of this room within a home. A bathroom directly opposite the front door means it is the first thing you notice, and is a feng shui feature to avoid, negatively affecting health.
If you can’t relocate the bathroom, solve the problem with a mirror. A mirror on the outside of the door is said to minimize negative effects.
‘Mirrors positioned on the outside of bathroom and WC doors will prevent good energy from slipping into the room and being flushed down the drain,’ says Suzanne Roynon.
Inside the room? ‘Avoid placing a mirror directly across from your toilet,’ says Zoe Warren.
Feng shui mirror rules for the entryway
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The principles of entryway feng shui see mirrors as desirable but, once again, location is key. The front door of your home is very important in the practice and is how chi, or life force, enters the home.
‘Position mirrors at right angles to the door to invite positive energy (chi) into the home,’ says Suzanne Roynon. ‘Never place a mirror directly opposite a front door as this will bounce the energy straight back out of the building.’
Feng shui mirror rules for the dining room
(Image credit: James Merrell)
A mirror can be a stylish addition to dining room ideas, but it’s also valuable when you wish to enjoy the benefits feng shui is said to bring. ‘The best room to hang a mirror in is the dining room, as this room closely reflects our capacity to hold onto wealth and friendship,’ says Zoe Warren. ‘We all want to reflect these things in our lives, and mirrors can help achieve this greater increase.’
Hang the mirror so it overlooks the table for prosperity. ‘A mirror in the dining room reflecting the table is said to magnify wealth and abundance because it symbolically doubles the amount of food,’ says Suzanne Roynon. ‘However, if you find you’re putting on weight, remove the mirror as it could be contributing to an abundance of girth!’
Where should you not put a mirror?
In feng shui, you should not put a mirror so you can see yourself in bed. ‘Never have a mirror reflecting the occupants of the bed – this is said to invite infidelity and discord,’ says Suzanne Roynon. Mirrors can also drain your energy if they reflect the bed, she says.
Don’t put a mirror facing the front door as this sends chi straight back outside your home. ‘You should instead place a mirror on a wall that is perpendicular to the front door,’ says Zoe Warren. ‘When you hang a mirror near the front door, you’ll want to connect it to a positive intention, such as expanding the opportunities that come into your life.’
Can a mirror face a window in feng shui?
A mirror can face a window in feng shui, but think about what it will show. ‘Mirrors can invite and expand a lot of positive energy and light in the home,’ says Zoe Warren. ‘Just be aware of what the mirror is reflecting. You want the mirrors to reflect a beautiful view rather than something negative.’