Winter Wellness and Where to Position Your Bed

Discover where to position your bed for the perfect slumber during winter (with a touch of Feng Shui)

As the temperature drops and the nights grow longer, our homes become sanctuaries from the winter chill. It’s a time to hunker down, cosy up, and fully embrace those precious hours of restorative sleep. After all, quality rest really is the overall health boost we need.

But did you know that where you position your bed during winter could *actually* be the key to getting a good night’s sleep?

Beyond practical considerations, the ancient practice of Feng Shui also offers wisdom on bed placement. Feng Shui, which emphasises harmony between your living space and energy flow, can help you create a more balanced and restful bedroom, especially in winter.

Sleep tech firm Simba and Lisa Artis, deputy CEO at Simba’s charity partner, The Sleep Charity, have joined forces to share expert tips on how to enhance your bedroom’s layout to promote warmth, comfort, and restful slumber during winter – with some Feng Shui tips to invite positive energy (or “Chi”) into your sleep space.

1. Steer clear of cold drafts
Cold drafts from windows or doors can disrupt sleep, so avoid placing your bed directly in their path. In Feng Shui, positioning your bed in the Command Position – where you can see the door but are not directly aligned with it – provides protection from drafts while encouraging energy flow. Remember, a room temperature of 16–19°C is optimal for sleep, but cold spots can disturb your body’s thermal balance.

2. Stay cosy with a strategic heat source
Feng Shui recommends keeping balance by avoiding direct alignment with heat sources, which can cause overheating and restlessness. Position your bed a comfortable distance from radiators, allowing warmth to spread evenly without making you too hot. To stay toasty, consider investing in a high-tech duvet, like Simba’s Hybrid 3-in-1 duvet, which combines a light 3.5 Tog with a thicker 7 Tog, making for an ideal and luxurious 10.5 Tog duvet on cold winter nights.

3. Avoid exterior walls
Exterior walls, which are the outer walls of your home, are often colder because they’re exposed to the elements. Interior walls, on the other hand, are the ones separating rooms within your home and tend to stay warmer. For better insulation and comfort, position your bed against an interior wall to help maintain an optimal sleep environment.

4. Wake up with natural light
Winter days are short, and we often wake up in darkness, which can leave us feeling groggy and out of sync. While the temptation to hibernate is strong, getting some early morning light is vital for regulating your sleep-wake cycle and banishing the winter blues. Plus, it helps to improve alertness and reduces symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Feng Shui also values natural light, as it represents yang energy—bright, active, and rejuvenating. So, ensuring your bed is positioned to take in this light can help energise you during the darker winter months, supporting both mood and energy levels.

5. Create a snug, cocooned feeling
In winter, the desire to feel safe, warm, and cocooned intensifies. Your bedroom should feel like a sanctuary – a place to escape the cold, dark world outside. Where you position your bed can greatly affect this sense of cosiness. For an extra comforting sleep environment, and if space allows, think about placing your bed in a corner or adding texture and warmth around it.

A winged headboard can enhance the feeling of cosiness, like Simba’s Melrose bed. With its gently curved design and plush padding, this bed offers a warm, welcoming embrace, making it the perfect spot to snuggle up.

6. Layer up with rugs
Hardwood and tile floors may look chic, but in winter, they can feel like stepping onto a sheet of ice. Cold floors can jar you awake, breaking the peaceful sleep you’ve worked hard to create.

Combat the cold underfoot by layering a thick, luxurious rug under or near your bed. Not only will it add an extra layer of warmth, but it also softens the room, making it the perfect place for sleepy feet to land in the morning.

7. Dim the lights, block the glare
Ensure your bed is positioned away from any unwanted light sources. Invest in blackout curtains or blinds to keep your room dark and restful. Feng Shui recommends soft lighting to support relaxation, so, consider bedside lamps to create a gentle, sleep-friendly atmosphere. A dark room can help regulate melatonin, the hormone responsible for a restful night’s sleep.

It’s important to note that not *all* of these tips may be feasible (unless you have plenty of space in your bedroom), but even making small adjustments can significantly improve your sleep quality and help create a cosy, sleep-friendly environment.

By aligning your bed placement with both practical tips and Feng Shui principles, you’ll invite a restful, balanced energy that nourishes your body and mind through the coldest months of the year. Sleep tight!

Photo by shche_ team on Unsplash