I’ve received many questions recently about the Feng Shui of metal headboards with open bars.
What makes these headboards problematic from a Feng Shui perspective?
The right headboard is essential in Feng Shui because it properly guides and contains precious Chi energy as you sleep.
A headboard with “good” Feng Shui is solid, padded or made of wood, and has a powerful, protective mountain shape.
But an open Metal headboard violates all these criteria:
- The Metal material is unwelcoming and cold to the touch.
- Limbs and material can easily become trapped between the bars, possibly resulting in injury to you or someone you love.
- Most importantly, open bars allow Chi energy to flow right over and away from you as you sleep, the very opposite of the cradling effect of good Feng Shui.
With an open headboard behind you, you’re prevented from receiving the nourishment of healthy Chi throughout the night, just when you’re at your most vulnerable.
If you have a barred or open-work headboard you can still create good Feng Shui to protect yourself while you sleep.
Get the benefits of healthy Chi during the night with one of the following adjustments:
- Create a slipcover for your headboard — padded if possible! – to create the soft, cradling effect of a solid headboard.
- Use large pillows to create the same effect, with no sewing involved. This option is slightly less preferable because you are more likely to toss these extra pillows to the floor when you sleep, thus exposing yourself to the open-work again.
Feng Shui is all about finding ways to make adjustments for challenges like this. What’s your Feng Shui question?
(Photo credit: frenchfinds.co.uk)
Hi! Is a chevron design headboard badluck?
Does the pointed part of the chevron design point up or down?
Can you please comment on an open headboard that is carved from wood? I’m hoping not to have to cover it completely… there is an oval mesh in the middle that could be covered (and padded).
Hi Gina,
The answer to this question is that “it depends” -> how open is the carving? Does it feel as though your Chi energy might be flowing away from you as you sleep? Are you sleeping well?
Since this is a very specific question, I would suggest reading my articles about Feng Shui for beds and headboards to settle it. If you wish to send a drawing/photo and get my specific recommendations, please use my Ask Ann page to send me the question and material.
Thank you and here’s to good Chi!
I have a metal bed with an open headboard. I’m planning on lining the headboard with fabric, but what can I do to counteract all the other effects of having a metal bed?
Hello Gabriela,
The Metal element is balanced with the Fire element. Be sure to integrate some warm colors into your bedding to counteract the coldness of Metal, and to include good lighting next to your bedside.
I recently purchased a metal headboard because I fell in love with the simplicity of the design. I’d hate to cover it and I’m hoping that if I added fabric to the back it would help without having to take away the metal detail?
Hello Courtney,
Yes, your solution would definitely help your Feng Shui. Good idea; you will sleep better at night I am sure.