Feng Shui Mirrors: Where to Place Them, Room by Room

Feng shui mirrors hold a special place in this Chinese tradition of arranging the home, which grew out of observing places and the flow of what it calls qi, or vital energy. A mirror is said to amplify and redirect that energy. These rules belong to belief and culture, and no study credits them with a measurable effect.

They are still useful, because many of them match plain decorating sense: reflect light rather than a cluttered wall, avoid reflections at night, do not startle yourself when you open the door. Here is what the tradition says, room by room, and what you can take from it.

Feng shui mirrors: the principles of the tradition

In feng shui, the mirror is linked to the water element. It doubles whatever it reflects. The core rule follows from this: a mirror should show what you want multiplied (light, greenery, a beautiful view, a well-set table) and never what you want to see disappear (clutter, a sharp corner, the way out).

Three principles come up with most practitioners:

• reflect a whole image: faceted or mosaic mirrors that "cut up" the face are avoided;
• keep a mirror intact and clean: a cracked, spotted or tarnished mirror should be replaced;
• avoid two mirrors facing each other, which create an infinite reflection seen as restless.

Common sense agrees with tradition here: a mirror in good condition, returning a sharp, bright image, is simply nicer to live with.

Mirror in bedroom feng shui

The bedroom is where the rules are strictest, because it is devoted to rest, which the tradition associates with calm and yin.

No mirror facing the bed

This is the best-known recommendation. According to tradition, a mirror facing the bed would bounce energy back at the sleeper and disturb sleep. The practical explanation is simpler: at night it catches light from an alarm clock or the street, and the slightest movement in the reflection draws the eye. If the mirror is already there, the tradition suggests covering it with fabric at night or shifting it so it no longer reflects the bed.

Not on the ceiling or above your head

Most practitioners advise against a mirror above the bed. If you like the look, choose a modest size and solid mounting, or use a painting instead.

So where does it go?

On a side wall, next to the closet, or inside a closet door. A full-length oval mirror with soft outlines is often cited as the most soothing shape for a bedroom.

Mirror facing door: the entryway and feng shui hallway mirror

In feng shui, the entryway is the "mouth" of the home, where energy comes in. A mirror facing door openings head-on would send it straight back outside. The tradition therefore recommends a side wall of the entryway or hallway, where the mirror welcomes the light and carries it further inside.

In practice, it is also the best spot: you do not see yourself loom up when you open the door, and the mirror widens an entryway that is often narrow. Above a 31 to 39 in (80 to 100 cm) console, choose a mirror 24 to 31 in (60 to 80 cm) wide, centered 59 to 63 in (150 to 160 cm) from the floor. A round mirror is favored both by the tradition, which links the circle to harmony, and by decorating, which values a shape that softens an angular hallway.

Mirrors in the powder room and bathroom

The powder room

The toilet is seen as a place where energy drains away. The tradition advises against a mirror that directly reflects the toilet, but accepts one above the small sink or on a side wall. Some practitioners even suggest a mirror on the outside of the bathroom door, to make it visually "disappear". In a space of 10 to 20 sq ft (1 to 2 m²), a small 16 to 20 in (40 to 50 cm) mirror above the sink makes the room feel much larger.

The bathroom mirror

The tradition sees it as an ally, provided it reflects the whole face without cutting it off at the forehead. Place the top of the mirror above the head of the tallest person in the household, and match its width to the vanity. For the technical side, the rule is no longer tradition but safety: an LED mirror must suit the bathroom zone where it is installed, with a protection rating to match, in line with your local electrical code. Turn off the breaker before any work and hire an electrician if in doubt. See our bathroom mirrors, with or without lighting.

Mirror in living room feng shui, dining room and kitchen

In the living room, the tradition recommends reflecting a beautiful view, a plant, an artwork or a bright window. That is exactly what decorating advises to make a room look bigger: a mirror on the wall perpendicular to the window, or above the sofa, sending light toward the back of the room.

A mirror in dining room feng shui that reflects the table is a classic: it "doubles" the food and symbolizes abundance. In practice, hang it above the sideboard, 6 to 10 in (15 to 25 cm) above the top, so it reflects the table and its pendant light rather than the guests' faces.

In the kitchen, the tradition focuses mainly on the cook's position: they should not have their back to the door. A small mirror that shows the doorway is sometimes suggested. Keep it away from the cooktop, where grease and heat would damage it.

Shape, frame and material in the tradition

• Round and oval: associated with softness and continuity, recommended in living spaces and the bedroom.
• Rectangular and square: associated with stability, suited to the office and the entryway.
• Wood frame: linked to the wood element, growth and vitality. A light wood-framed mirror also suits japandi interiors.
• Metal frame: associated with clarity and precision.

These correspondences vary between schools. Above all, keep the shape you enjoy looking at every day.

What to keep in mind

Even if you do not follow the tradition, three feng shui rules are good decorating habits: place the mirror where it reflects light or a pleasant image, make sure it does not catch you by surprise (facing the door, facing the bed at night), and keep it clean and in good condition. The rest is a matter of taste.