In feng shui, the bedroom is extremely important. In my article, A feng shui bedroom for whom, I explained that there can be subtle differences in layout and decoration depending on the age of the sleeper: baby, child, teenager, adult, couple… Today I wanted to focus on the bedroom of teenagers.
Adolescence is an essential period of transition in our children’s lives, marked by a quest for identity, discovery and personal expression. It’s also a time when the environment around them takes on considerable importance. A well-designed teenager’s bedroom can not only be a personal refuge, but also a space that fosters harmony, well-being and creativity. That’s where feng shui comes in.
In this article, I give you practical advice on how to transform your teenager’s bedroom into a balanced, energising place where they can grow, study and relax in the best possible conditions. Discover how the age-old art of feng shui can help create a room that reflects your teenager’s personality while promoting their physical and emotional well-being.
The basics of feng shui
Feng shui, literally “wind and water” in Chinese, is much more than just interior design. It has its roots in Taoist philosophy and dates back thousands of years in China. It is an ancient and complex art that aims to harmonise the energy in our environment. It seeks to harness the ‘Chi’ of our home, the breath of life, to promote health, prosperity, relationships and well-being. Before explaining how to design a feng shui teenager’s bedroom, here are a few basic principles to be aware of.
Chi: Chi is the vital energy that circulates throughout the universe. In a teenager’s bedroom, the aim is to allow the Chi to circulate freely, without obstacles or stagnation. The result is an environment conducive to vitality and self-fulfilment.
Yin and Yang: Yin and Yang represent the opposing and complementary forces that exist in the universe. In bedroom design, the balance between Yin (calm, passive) and Yang (dynamic, active) is crucial. For example, too many bright colours and stimulating objects (television, computer, etc.) can disrupt harmony.
The five elements: everything in the universe is made up of five fundamental elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Each of these elements is associated with specific colours, shapes and energies. Balancing these elements in the bedroom is essential to creating a harmonious atmosphere.
The Kua number: calculated from an individual’s date of birth, it represents the personal trigram. It can be used to determine the best position for the bed (north, west, south-east, etc.).
The importance of good bedding for a good night's sleep
Before getting into feng shui considerations, and in particular how best to orientate the bed, I think it’s important to remember that the first thing to do when designing a bedroom is to encourage a good night’s sleep.
In the hectic lives of teenagers, sleep is precious. It’s during these hours of rest that their bodies regenerate, their minds relax and their energy is recharged to face a new day of challenges and learning. Feng shui is not limited to the layout of furniture and the colour of walls; it also extends to the comfort of bedding, a crucial element for quality sleep.
Adolescence is a period of intense growth and development, both physical and mental. Teenagers need more sleep than adults, on average 8 to 10 hours a night. Sleep is essential for their general well-being, as it promotes growth, memory consolidation, emotional regulation and concentration. In fact, according to a February 2023 study, almost half of all teenagers have a chronic sleep debt.
The mattress plays a central role in the quality of sleep. For a teenager, it’s crucial to have a quality mattress that offers the support their growing body needs. A mattress that is too soft or too firm can lead to back pain, posture problems and restless nights.
When choosing a mattress for your teenager’s bedroom, opt for a model that offers a balance between firmness and comfort. Make sure it provides adequate support for the spine, yet is soft enough for total relaxation.
An uncomfortable mattress can create pressure points that disrupt the circulation of the Chi, leading to sleep problems.
Finally, make sure you choose a good bed base. In feng shui, it’s not recommended to put the mattress directly on the floor (I know that teenagers love this configuration!). Air needs to circulate underneath the mattress to promote good Chi. Which also means that the underside of the bed shouldn’t be used for storage either!
Bed placement
The location of the bed must be chosen with care. In feng shui, we avoid placing the bed under an exposed beam, under windows or in direct alignment with the door. These positions are considered to be energetically unbalanced.
Ideally, the bed should be positioned so that it has a clear view of the bedroom door without being directly in line with it. This allows the child to feel secure while maintaining the positive Chi flowing through the room. If this is not possible due to the layout of the room, a screen or curtains can be used to create a symbolic separation between the bed and the door.
The position of the bed in relation to the walls is also important. We recommend placing the bed so that it is well supported against a solid wall, preferably with a headboard. This symbolises stability and support in the teenager’s life.
Finally, of course, there’s the question of orientation. In feng shui, you don’t arbitrarily decide whether the headboard should face north or west! I’ve already written a number of articles explaining how to calculate and make the most of the Kua number. Depending on your teenager’s date of birth, this number can be used to determine the most favourable orientation for both the bed and the desk.
The importance of colours
When it comes to creating a feng shui teenager’s bedroom, the colour palette is of significant importance. Colours are not simply a matter of personal preference; they have a profound impact on the energy and atmosphere of the room.
In feng shui, each colour is associated with one of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
The colours associated with wood are green and brown. These colours evoke growth, vitality and health. They are ideal for encouraging creativity and personal growth in teenagers. They are best used if the bedroom is located in the east or south-east of the house.
In the south, choose colours associated with fire: red, pink or violet. They bring warmth, passion and energy to the room. However, use them sparingly, as an excess of fire colours can be too stimulating (too yang).
In the North-East or South-West sectors, yellow or orange are preferable, as they are linked to the earth. They are linked to stability and security and are perfect for creating a feeling of comfort and support.
Metallic colours, such as white, grey, silver and gold, represent clarity, precision and purity. They can help maintain a clean, organised atmosphere. They are best used in the West and North-West sectors.
Finally, in the North, choose watery shades such as blue and black. They evoke depth and tranquillity. They are ideal for promoting calm and reflection.
Just as certain colours are favourable, there are also colours to avoid in a feng shui teenager’s bedroom. Colours that are too bright, aggressive or dark can disturb the energetic balance of the room and the teenager’s sleep. Avoid excessive shades of red, black or violet.
The key is balance. You don’t need to paint all the walls in the room in a single colour. You can incorporate different colours depending on the elements you want to reinforce in your teenager’s bedroom. Remember to match the bed linen to the decor of the room.
Storage and organisation
To create a feng shui teenager’s bedroom that’s harmonious and conducive to well-being, it’s essential to organise the space well. Feng shui is based on the principle of the fluid circulation of energy, so a cluttered or badly organised bedroom can impede this circulation and have a negative impact on your teenager’s life.
The first step is to declutter the space. Encourage your teenager to sort and get rid of unnecessary items or things they no longer use. Teenage bedrooms often tend to accumulate objects over time, including items that would be better placed directly in… the bin!
Make sure that everything in the room has a place. It’s hard enough for a teenager to keep everything off the floor and out of the way. Creating functional zones will help them tidy up. For example, create a study area (with a desk), a relaxation area for reading or playing, and a sleeping area.
You can use furniture (footstools, armchairs) or carpets to visually mark these zones. This will help your teenager to concentrate better on their tasks, relax and recharge their batteries, while maintaining a clear separation between activities.
Lighting and ventilation
Lighting and ventilation are key elements in creating a balanced and beneficial atmosphere. These two factors have a significant impact on the comfort, health and energy of your teenager’s bedroom.
Natural lighting is a fundamental element for the bedroom. Daylight provides positive energy, stimulates vitality and encourages concentration. When it comes to artificial lighting, opt for soft, adjustable light sources. Luminaires with fabric or paper shades can provide a pleasant, subdued light. Avoid lights that are too bright or fluorescent, as they are aggressive and disrupt the harmony of the room.
Air quality is also crucial to health and well-being. Make sure the bedroom is well ventilated by opening the windows regularly to allow fresh air to circulate (if your child doesn’t do it). Stagnant air becomes heavy, low in oxygen and creates a feeling of discomfort. You know that “wild animal cage” fragrance that’s often found in teenage bedrooms? We don’t want it!
In feng shui, lighting and ventilation are ways of regulating the energy in the room.
Maintaining a comfortable temperature is also essential. A room that is too hot or too cold can disrupt your teenager’s sleep. Set the temperature so that it is pleasant and conducive to restful sleep, ideally 18 or 19°.
To conclude
Creating a feng shui teenager’s bedroom is a significant undertaking, but it’s even more rewarding when done in close collaboration with your teenager. While the principles of feng shui provide an essential framework for creating a harmonious space, it’s just as important to take into account your teenager’s personal tastes and belongings.
By working together to design and furnish their room, you are showing your teenager that you respect their personality, interests and preferences. You’re creating a space that is truly theirs, a place where they can feel safe, express their creativity and develop in complete confidence.
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