,There's something about a headboard that really elevates a bedroom. Maybe it's the luxe-hotel vibe they bring to a space, or the fact that they add a visual focal point; either way, a bed without a headboard can often look a little unfinished.
But aside from their good looks, according to feng shui experts, our headboard ideas are actually doing an even more important job when it comes to the overall feel of our sleep spaces.
'Feng Shui is about arranging your home or workspace to create balance in your environment, which in turn helps support your health and wellbeing,' explains Jackie Tyrrell, Feng Shui consultant, owner at Feng Shui Pathway, and membership secretary at the Feng Shui Society. 'In feng shui, the headboard is considered important as it symbolises security, support, and stability.'
So is it bad feng shui not to have a headboard? Absolutely. According to feng shui experts, this is one bedroom design idea you definitely shouldn't skip.
Is it bad feng shui not to have a headboard?
Yes, it is bad feng shui practice not to have a headboard on your bed. As Jan Cisek, a feng shui expert for over 40 years, environmental psychologist, and PhD researcher in feng shui, confirms, 'in feng shui, a headboard is considered essential for creating a stable and supportive sleeping environment.'
'The presence of a solid headboard symbolises security, protection, and stability, contributing to a sense of psychological and energetic grounding.'
'A strong and well-anchored headboard also supports restful sleep by acting as a barrier against disruptive energies. It provides a sense of enclosure and safety, reinforcing the bed as a place of rest and rejuvenation,' Jan continues.
Sounds like those of us who don't already have this energetic anchor in the bedroom should start thinking about where to buy a headboard, and thankfully, there are plenty of great headboard trends to shop this year.
However, before we invest, is there any other feng shui advice around choosing a headboard?
What is the best style of headboard for feng shui?
So we've established a headboard is definitely needed to promote good feng shui and improve our wellbeing and sleep, but does it matter what kind of headboard we opt for?
Jackie says, 'A solid headboard made from wood or fabric with gentle curved or rounded edges will add a sense of security. Avoid headboards with sharp edges or open spaces. A metal headboard or bed frame is not ideal as this promotes a more active energy and may cause issues with electro-magnetic fields in your environment.'
Jan advises 'Avoid headboards with bars, slats, or gaps, as they create fragmented energy and a sense of instability.'
'The shape also matters,' Jan goes on to say. 'A rounded or gently curved headboard is preferable, as sharp edges can generate cutting qi (shar chi), which may disrupt sleep and create tension in relationships.'
'Additionally, a headboard that extends slightly beyond the width of the bed enhances energetic containment and protection, and a securely attached headboard ensures strong energetic and psychological support, reinforcing feelings of safety and well-being.'
What is the best colour headboard for feng shui?
Jan says, 'The best colour for a headboard depends on the desired energy and psychological effect in the bedroom. Neutral and earthy tones such as beige, cream, soft brown, or light grey are ideal, as they create a sense of stability, grounding, and calm.'
'These colours resonate with the Earth element, which promotes restful sleep and emotional balance. For romantic and relationship harmony, soft pinks, peach, or warm neutrals can enhance connection and intimacy.'
'If personal growth and clarity are priorities, light blues and greens, representing the Wood element, can foster calmness and renewal. Avoid overly bright or aggressive colours such as red or black, as they may create restlessness or excessive energy.'
'Finally, selecting a colour that aligns with personal energy and feng shui principles helps create a harmonious and restorative sleep environment.'
'Earth tones such as beige, cream can represent stability,' adds Jackie. 'Light blue is associated with calmness. Soft green symbolises growth and renewal. Avoid red, black and bright colours which may be over stimulating and create a disruptive sleep.'
Can you fake a headboard for good feng shui?
Finally, we wanted to know if faking a headboard, perhaps via a DIY headboard, could offer the same level of positive feng shui as a ready-made.
Jackie comments, 'It's best to avoid faking it, as the main aim is to ensure support and stability from a sturdy headboard. If a traditional headboard is not possible, then you could try wall panelling, wall art or a thick tapestry which can create a visual headboard effect.'
Jan adds, 'While in feng shui, a solid headboard is the ideal offering, for providing support and stability, if a traditional headboard is not an option, wall-mounted alternatives can offer some energetic protection.'
'A large, sturdy tapestry or padded wall panel can serve as a substitute by creating a visual and psychological sense of support. However, a true headboard is still recommended, as soft materials like fabric hangings lack the structural stability that feng shui principles emphasise for grounding energy. If using a hanging, choose earthy or warm colours to enhance stability and ensure it is firmly secured to the wall.'
'While these solutions can improve the energetic feel of a space, they do not fully replace the security and anchoring effect of a real headboard,' says Jan.
So if you were pondering the merits of a headboard in your bedroom, it's a definite vote in favour from our feng shui experts.
