Is a mirror facing the bed a problem?
The practical problem is at night: you wake up, catch a movement or a flash of headlights in the mirror, and get a fright. Covering it at bedtime or moving it solves this.
Tradition onlyWhy it feels uncomfortable
We haven't found research specifically on mirrors facing beds, so we label this one as tradition only. But plenty of people know the feeling of waking at night and seeing their own reflection move. Half-asleep, we're very sensitive to motion at the edge of our vision, and a mirror brings light and movement from the door or window right in front of the bed.
What tradition says
Feng shui says a mirror shouldn't face the bed or the door. There are many versions of why; we leave out the luck and keep the part about sleeping undisturbed.
Three ways to fix it
- Do it nowCover the mirror with a cloth at night and uncover it in the morning. It costs nothing.
- Move some furnitureMove a full-length mirror to the inside of a wardrobe door or behind the bedroom door, or angle it so you can't see it from bed.
- If you can't change itIf it's a mirrored wardrobe you can't change, blackout curtains help: in a dark room the mirror barely reflects anything.
FAQ
Does a dresser mirror at the side of the bed count?
Only if you can see it lying down. Mirrors you can't see from bed don't matter.
Can a mirror facing the bed affect my health?
There's no research showing mirrors themselves affect health. We're only talking about being startled awake by reflections.
Related questions
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.