Feng Shui uses a concept called the “Command Position” to help you take charge of your life and feel secure in your space.
Consider the seat you’re most likely to choose in a restaurant: across the room from the entry, with your back to a wall and at a slight angle, giving you a comfortable view of people coming in as well as your fellow diners.
Here’s what the Command Position looks like in a bedroom:
When you’re in the Command Position you can easily see the entry to your space, and have the best visual control over your space.
Before you can concentrate on things like improving your relationships or your finances, you need to feel that you and your loved ones are as safe as possible.
The Command Position puts you in the best position to deal with whatever might be coming through the door and into your life.
To set it up in your home or office, place the most important piece of furniture in the room – your bed, your couch and your desk for starters — in the spot where you can easily see the doorway without being in a direct line with it.
Here’s a room with both an easy chair and a couch set up in the Command Position:
You know you’re in this “power spot” when you feel most comfortably in charge of the room.
The Command Position is one of the simplest, most powerful Feng Shui tools you can use to take charge of your life.
Try it out in your space, and let me know how it feels.
Okay I get it. I’m terribly amused, in a dark humor sort of way. The “Command Position” is perfect for someone with an anxiety disorder. I rarely leave the house, but occasionally, I do go out to eat with my family. If I cannot find the “command position” in the restaurant or it’s too crowded for me to feel in control, we have to leave. Maybe I should dig a little more into Feng Shui. 🙂
Emily, I think this is actually a HUGE part of what Feng Shui is all about — helping you to feel safe & secure at all times. Yes, by all means please “dig in” to Feng Shui, and let me know if and how I can help you along the way. I’m so glad you left this comment ;), thank you!
I’m so glad I saw your post on the command position before the interior walls in my in the bedroom of my new house were constructed. At first I thought I couldn’t do it, but after sleeping on it, I’ve realized I can change the closet configuration enough to have the bed face the door. I knew something about it didn’t feel right, but now it really falls into place. Thanks for a great tip–I’ll thank you for it every time I walk into my new bedroom!
Dorothy, I am thrilled that you were able to catch the construction in time to change the layout of your bedroom! You’ll sleep better every night, guaranteed. So glad I could help!
Hi Ann,
What do I do to remedy the fact that I have a wooden Tatami Mat bed frame that has a line down the middle? As well that my head board is not attached since it did not come with the bed. I attach it with rope.
Lisa, I’d suggest placing a red sheet over your bed frame to bring the two sides of the bed together with powerful Yang energy. Then cover the red sheet with your regular bedding so it doesn’t show. If the rope that attaches the headboard is very secure and isn’t visible when the bed is made up, it shouldn’t be a problem. Thanks for writing!
my apt in nyc is small, what should i do with my bed — if it is centered with nightstands on either side, there is VERY narrow on each side. otherwise, it has to be pushed up in a corner. please advise! 🙂
Hello, thanks for your question. The idea is to make two people feel as welcome as possible in the bed, so at least having two light sconces on the wall for each side of the bed would be ideal. It is impossible for me to say without seeing it whether the narrow paths are good Feng Shui or too constricting for two, but the good lighting will definitely help.
In my NYC apartment, the door is directly in the middle of my bedroom. To the left are windows on the adjacent wall. The other adjacent wall has 2 closet doors. How do I deal with the door facing the bed?
Hi Chauntae, thanks for writing. The question is whether you feel safe in your bed? If not then you’ll want to find a way to shield yourself from onrushing Chi energy that’s coming at you through the doorway — with a curtain over the door, a heavy chest at the foot of your bed, or other solution of your choice. Here’s my article on this topic: https://openspacesfengshui.com/feng-shui-tips/2010/07/feng-shui-bed-faces-door/ Good luck!
Hi Ann,
In my one room apt I feel safest when having the bed at the wall opposite the entry door so to say positioned “in front of the door” right when you enter. (but in a 90 degrees angle, meaning my feet arent pointing towards the door). I have tried out every other angle of the room, without feeling comfortable. What should I do now?
Hi Malene,
If you are truly most comfortable in that spot there is no need to make a change. I would suggest having a table or nightstand between your head and the door for a bit of extra protection as you sleep. The point is to feel safe and secure, so it sounds like you’re good in that regard!
hi! We bought a house and in the bedrooms there are a fix mirrors on d wall..and i’m planning it to cover it with mirror wallpapers..but is it a bad feng shui if the bed is facing on a mirror??and what else do i need to do to have a good fengshui in our new home….i’ll be waiting for your response..thanks and GodBless
Hello Melody,
It is not ideal to have a mirror facing the bed. I would suggest taking a look at my two books about Feng Shui for tips for your bedroom and your home overall. https://openspacesfengshui.com/resources/
Hello,
I have 2 options for choosing my work desk in office. 1) Me facing my lucky direction based on my kua number which is 1.
2) me facing the entrance door to our department… ofcourse not in exact line wit it….. but i wont be facing my lucky direction…. pls advise which option is most suitable…..
Thanx…
Regards.
.
Hello Aparna,
In general it is always better to put yourself “in Command” by facing your office door.
Thank you, Ann;
I have the same issue; however, it is a home office. The office door is facing the unlucky direction according to my Kua Number which is 8. I also have a window directly on the opposite wall of the office door.
I do have a corner desk but its pulled away from the walls for space but not enough for walking around the desk completely; and, without becoming in direct line of the office door so not to have the window directly behind my back but at my back nonetheless. I have horizontal blinds covering the window with a white curtain covering approximately three-quarters of the window.
I also have a Salt Crystal Lamp on my desk; some in Feng Shui say I should discard the lamp asap. What is your comment on this? Should I lose the Salt Crystal Lamp? Please advise.
Thank you for your valuable time and consideration.
Val W.
Hello Val,
It is difficult for me to visualize your situation without a floorplan to guide me. If you like you can use my Ask Ann page to send your question again, along with a copy of your floor plan. Thank you.
I have begun to organize my room in a way where I have more space and feel reclutered. Only 10 minutes ago i stumbled upon feng shui and am feeling a bit confused. My bedroom is rectangular. The longest walls are A and B and the C and D will be the others.
Wall C is a closet from wall A to wall B with sliding doors facing wall D. Wall A has the door on the side closest to wall C. Wall B has a window closest to wall D. My bed is in the corner against wall B and D facing wall C.
I feel very comfortable and secure sleeping in this position as I can see anyone who enters my room, am facing my closet doors, and close to a window.
I don’t know what it means for me to be facing my closet doors, or if there is anything wrong with my bed being below a window.
I typically have the sliding door closest to wall A open. There is also a window inside the closet on wall B.
I have read about poison/bad/evil angles also, and open shelving or organizers not being a good thing. I wonder if you have any information about this.
I apologize if these are too many questions. I am very curius and intrigued in this.
Thank you in advance.
Hello Abigail,
Thank you for your questions and interest in Feng Shui. I would suggest setting up a long-distance consultation so that I can answer your questions properly while looking at your floor plan.