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Practice feng shui or not, there’s no arguing with a room that simply flows well. Plenty of designers don’t actively follow the ancient Chinese art, yet most end up honoring some of its principles without realizing it—because a lot of feng shui is just common sense about flow and keeping clutter in check. There’s one stubborn exception, though: even the pros don’t fully agree on where mirrors should go.
So how do you tell whether you’re using mirrors the feng shui way? Follow these rules and you might just feel the bad vibes head for the exit. Making sure a space reflects what you want to draw into your life isn’t so different from keeping it organized and nicely put together.
01 Place Mirrors Perpendicular to the Front Door
A lot of feng shui practitioners steer away from hanging a mirror directly across from the front door, favoring a wall perpendicular to it instead. The front door carries a lot of weight in feng shui, so when you do hang a mirror, tie it to an intention—like widening the opportunities coming your way.
02 Avoid Putting Mirrors Above Beds, Sofas or Chairs
One spot the experts warn against is behind a sofa or a bed. The concern is the weight of anything hanging over a sitting or sleeping space. Feng shui is about feeling safe and secure where you are, and it’s hard to feel safe with something heavy looming over your head.
03 Use Mirrors on Any Dining Room Walls
The dining room is often called the best room for a mirror. Dining spaces tend to represent your capacity to hold wealth, and that’s something most of us wouldn’t mind reflecting a little more of.
RELATED: 7 Feng Shui Kitchen Tips for Better Energy and Flow
04 Hang a Mirror Almost Anywhere in the Hallway
Hallway mirrors are generally seen as a plus. Place one at the very end of a hallway, though, and it can slow your home’s energy down. They shine on the landings of small staircases, where they help a tight space feel wider.
05 Position a Mirror Near (Not Facing) Your Desk
Just as a mirror reflecting a pile of bills can bring in negative energy, one facing your desk may work against you—effectively doubling your workload. And really, who wants to watch themselves work?
06 Place Mirrors Opposite Beautiful Views
Be deliberate about what a mirror reflects, indoors and out. Mirrors are a bit like aspirin in feng shui—reached for constantly, and a quick fix when you want to open up a space and pull in more light. Just point them at a lovely view rather than a stack of bills.
07 Avoid Mirrors in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the flip side—generally a no for mirrors, especially any facing the stove, where the placement is thought to invite negative energy. So if a mirrored backsplash is on your wish list, it may be worth reconsidering.
08 Opt for a Mirror in the Living Room
In the living room, mirrors are believed to make gatherings feel livelier by doubling the number of people in the room. The catch: they can amplify bad energy too if your guests bring it. So choose your company well, or gently ask everyone to leave the drama at the door.
09 Use Mirrors Carefully in the Bedroom
Struggling to sleep? A bedroom mirror could be the culprit. Here’s an easy test: cover the bedroom mirrors for a couple of nights and see if your sleep improves. If it does, think about replacing them or shifting them to a wall that doesn’t face the bed.
Mirrors are thought to activate the energy in a room, so use them thoughtfully here. Some people keep a bedroom mirror and sleep just fine; others prefer none at all, or tuck a long mirror inside the closet door. If you go that route, keep the closet organized—mirrors double whatever they project.
10 Keep Mirrors Away from the Toilet
In the bathroom, some practitioners suggest not hanging a mirror directly across from the toilet, since it’s believed to magnify negative energy. Plus—do you really want to see yourself on the toilet?
In the end, feng shui principles are worth weighing, but so are practicality and your own preferences. What suits one person or space won’t always suit another, so a little flexibility goes a long way in any design decision.