Bathrooms seem problematic from a Feng Shui standpoint, don’t they?
Things called “bathrooms” didn’t exist when Feng Shui originated in ancient China.

People washed themselves in public spaces and generally had outhouses in their backyards, so keeping oneself clean inside and out was not something that ever happened within the interior of a home.
So bathrooms ended up in the “out-of-sight, out-of-mind” category, thought about as little as possible. They had no specific Feng Shui advice attached to them and no recommended home on the Feng Shui Bagua Map.
By contrast, some examples of rooms that correlate well with specific sectors on the Bagua Map include a library with the Knowledge sector, or the master bedroom with the Relationship sector.
The bathroom has no such easy correlation in Feng Shui.
Fortunately, times have changed and you can take personal cleanliness under your control. Bathrooms are now regarded as almost sacred spaces, where you can to cleanse yourself in a luxurious, spa-like environment.
The key to good bathroom Feng Shui is Balance. Here are my tips for making sure your bathroom feels harmonious and inviting.
- Bathrooms are all about water, which flows downward through multiple bathroom drains. Counteract this draining movement with the Wood element (as outlined in my previous Bathroom Feng Shui article).
- Water — cold, dark and mysterious — has a tendency to make bathrooms “overly Yin.” Create a bathroom that truly restores you by making sure it feels strong and clean.
- Assertive Yang elements like healthy growing plants, good (flattering!) lighting, warm colors and sensual linens all bring balance into a bathroom and make it an inviting, harmonious space.
If it sounds like I’m describing a spa-like bathroom, you’re right. Feeling good inside and out is exactly what good Feng Shui is all about.
Use these tips to create a bathroom you love going into, and make yourself feel special every time you’re in there.
Get personal tips from me about your own bathroom by scheduling a consultation or using my Ask Ann page.
(photo by istock)
Thanks for the tips. It seems like if you really want, you can apply Feng Shui to all rooms in your house. Great 🙂
Thanks Jake!
just want to ask, is it alright to place a mirror in front of the bathroom door?
Hello Harn, I am not sure I understand what you mean by “in front of the door.” Opposite the door? On the door itself? Please advise 🙂
Thanks so much for considering “the necessary”! In a similar vein, can you address where to put the garbage can(s)? Somewhere energy-stagnant? Near a natural outflow of Chi?
Hello Sarah,
You are exactly right with your suggestion. An Earth-energy sector is always best for trash (and dirty laundry :). The Earth sectors of the Bagua include Relationship, Center/Tai-Chi and Knowledge, so of these three Knowledge is best. Thanks for your comment and useful question.
Hi,
My money corner in my house is my room mates bedroom. How can I create my own money corner in my house and my house is a rented one with limited space so I dont have control over its design. How can i have feng shui to attract money in my life. Thank you
Hello Sumedh,
The best way for you to create good Feng Shui in your situation is to focus on your own bedroom – the room you have control over – and not the entire house. Orient the Bagua from the door to your room and go from there.
Hi! Just want to ask if I can hang a mirror opposite of the stairways. Thanks.
Hello Norman,
So long as the mirror does not create any confusion as people go up or down the stairs, it should be fine.