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7 Steps to a Restful Bedroom

By Elizabeth Weiss McGolerick

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Are you dragging before you get out of bed in the morning? Do your kids need a more restful sleep? The way your sleeping area is decorated could be interfering with those precious zzzs. Here are seven quick and easy ways to transform the bedrooms in your home using feng shui so that your whole family can have a good night's sleep – every night.

Mirror, mirror, off the wall. Remove mirrors from the bedrooms, says Tisha Morris, feng shui consultant and author of 27 Things to Feng Shui Your Home. "This is especially the case for mirrors directly across from the bed. Mirrors are great for areas in your home that need more energy. They're not good for the bedroom where the energy should be more tranquil."

Bye, bye bookworm. While bedtime may be your favorite time to read, "Books are full of mental energy, especially for children who already have active imaginations and dreams," says Morris. Keep a few books on the nightstand or use a small bookshelf, but reserve those large bookshelves for other areas of your home.

Edit your artwork. Opt for monotone, calm and relaxing artwork for bedrooms. Shift the colorful pieces that are full of movement to other areas of the house and stick with tranquil art that evokes positive memories, feelings and emotions, says Morris. This goes for kids' rooms too – display the busy, energetic art in the playroom and loving, calming art in your little one's bedroom.

Paint carefully. Red may be your favorite color, but the bedroom walls are not the place for it or other primary colors. Stick to earth tones or soft pastels such as light blue or green, neutrals, sage, burgundy and dark chocolate, advises Morris. "If your child has problems sleeping, wall color could be a culprit. Colors emit a powerful energy that can be felt, especially by children."

Photo friendly. "Avoid family photos and have only pictures of those who occupy the bedroom," says Morris. While family photos are okay in children's rooms if they promote a feeling of being safe and loved, avoid displaying pictures of anyone the child doesn't get along with or like.

Eliminate clutter. "The fewer items in the bedroom, the less busy our subconscious mind is, especially at night," explains Morris. A bedroom should feel like a sanctuary – put away clothes, pick up toys and put them in their proper place daily and remove items from under the bed.

Nix the electronics. Guilty of going to bed with your laptop or falling asleep to the sound of the TV? "Electronics emit a high level of electromagnetic energy, even when turned off, which can disturb sleep," says Morris. If you must have a TV in the bedroom, keep it closed off in a cabinet. Similar to mirrors, mounted TVs should not be directly positioned across from the bed.

Light the way. Subdued lighting is best for bedrooms. Use dimmer switches for overhead lights or decorate with soft mid-level lighting via lamps on nightstands. "Having a variance of lighting can help you transition from the light of the day to the dark of the night, making falling asleep easier and gentler," says Morris.

The challenge in a household with children is to be able to provide them with an environment that is simultaneously conducive to sleep as well as self-expression. Encourage their inner interior designer to emerge and get their ideas for what kind of décor would please them. "Try to strike a balance," suggestions Morris. "You could use a soft color of paint but still allow them to hang their artwork up and express their individuality."

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