Is it okay to put your bed under a window?
With the headboard against a window, there's no solid wall behind you, and many people feel exposed. Windows also bring drafts, early light and street noise. Move to a solid wall if you can; if not, a tall headboard and blackout curtains help.
Some researchWhy it feels uncomfortable
People resting prefer cover behind them and a view ahead, the core of prospect–refuge theory. A window is an opening, so it takes away that sense of refuge. Windows are also colder in winter and warmer in summer, let in streetlight and traffic noise at night, and send the first morning light straight onto your head.
What tradition says
Feng shui says the head of the bed should have a "mountain," a solid wall, behind it. A window behind the bed is seen as having no support.
Three ways to fix it
- Do it nowAdd blackout curtains and seal drafts around the window to deal with light and cold first.
- Move some furnitureUse a tall, solid headboard to create a "back" between you and the window.
- If you can't change itIf this is the only layout that fits, leave 20–30 cm between the headboard and the window and put a low cabinet there.
FAQ
What about a window beside the bed?
That's much less of an issue. Just watch for drafts and make sure the curtains block light.
Can a bay window be my headboard?
A bay window is still an opening, so it's similar. Put a solid headboard in front of it, or turn it into a storage ledge and hang blackout curtains.
Related questions
Sources
This page draws on traditional ideas about the home and on environmental psychology research. It is for everyday reference, makes no predictions, and is not medical advice. If you sleep badly for a long time, please talk to a doctor.