The Feng-Shui-Approved Way To Lighten Every Room In Your House

Mirrors are often referred to as a feng shui MVP. Why? They make a room feel alive and can brighten and open up a space when properly placed. Mirrors reflect whatever is in their gaze, so the bigger a mirror, the more energy is sauntering to and fro. Here are a few ways to maximize the energy-activating powers of mirrors, according to feng shui:

If you have a mirror in your bedroom right now and you’re sleeping like a beauty, don’t change a thing. However, if you have trouble sleeping, let’s talk about why that mirror on your bedroom wall might be the culprit. Mirrors increase energy flow, and increased energy disrupts sleep. So, try a quick fix: Cover the bedroom mirror(s) for a couple nights and notice if your sleep improves. If you do sleep soundly with them covered, consider replacing them with something else you love—a large print, a mural, or even a few mounted lanterns. And if you simply must have a mirror in your room’s décor, hang it on a non-facing wall when you’re tucked in bed.

Mirrors literally and metaphorically double what they reflect, so it’s worth going the extra mile to make sure you love what it "sees." A mirror over the mantel might make an impressive style statement, but if it’s reflecting a neglected corner in your house, that feeling is likely being doubled in your life. Likewise, the front hall mirror is always a lovely gesture unless it’s showcasing a pit stop of mail, shoes, and clutter. And if your bedroom is a catchall for work, laundry, and things without homes—and your mirror reflects it all—you will likely wake up feeling buried alive before the day begins.

Even if you love smaller mirrors, I'd recommend keeping at least one mirror everyone can see her-/himself in completely. Mirrors are associated with self-esteem, so if you can't see your whole self in one, it might be subtly suggesting that you don't measure up. Full-length mirrors on the back of doors can be a reasonable solution, but just make sure you can see yourself fully in the reflection so it doesn't distort your body image.

Convex mirrors are perfect for dispersing energy. For instance, if a client has a staircase leading out the front door and she's experiencing money troubles, I'll place a convex mirror to catch and scatter the energy back into the house. Hang it so the mirror faces you as you come down the stairs. The mirror doesn't need to be big to work; a small convex mirror will do the trick perfectly! Convex mirrors are also a great cure for long hallways, where energy has a tendency to rush through the house. If you feel exhausted from the constant hustle, hang one with the intention of slowing things down.

Looking for more feng shui essentials? Check out the items the experts keep on hand in their living rooms and bedrooms.