Things You Shouldn’t Hang or Place Above Your Bed

In feng shui, the bedroom is closely connected to sleep, health, relationships and overall wellbeing. There are many aspects of bedroom feng shui to consider, but the area around the headboard is often given special attention.

A bed is best placed against a solid wall. In feng shui, that wall represents a mountain: a source of protection and support. More broadly, a calm and stable bedroom can help create a more restful space.

Some feng shui traditions also caution against placing certain objects above or around the headboard. These beliefs aren’t scientific rules, but they can offer a useful prompt to think about safety, comfort and what helps you unwind.

What To Avoid Above Or Around Your Bed

• Wedding and family photos: Beyond the practical risk of a picture falling, feng shui considers objects overhead a source of pressure. Some believe that this can contribute to tension between couples. My mum always advised me not to hang photos above the bed, and even suggested removing our family picture. If you love having photos nearby, consider placing them on another wall instead.
• Pictures or posters of fierce animals: In feng shui, fierce animals are associated with aggressive energy. Their images may feel unsettling or intense, especially in a room meant for rest. Choose artwork that makes you feel calm and comfortable.
• Clocks: The movement of a clock—and especially the ticking of a traditional one—can be distracting when you’re trying to relax. I keep an alarm clock beside my bed, but sometimes its ticking really irritates me. Still, I can’t quite live without it, and I do prefer a classic clock with a face and hands. If ticking bothers you, try a silent clock or move it farther away.
• Plush toys: Some feng shui beliefs associate dolls and plush toys with unsettled energy. For others, they’re simply comforting keepsakes. If they make your room feel cluttered or distract you from sleep, try keeping them elsewhere.
• Air-conditioning units: This may be less common in UK homes, where radiators are more familiar, but more households are installing split-system air-conditioning and heat-pump units for both heating and cooling. If you’re planning an installation, consider where the unit will sit. Feng shui sometimes describes an air-conditioning unit above the bed as “water over the head.” Practically speaking, direct cold airflow can feel uncomfortable, so it’s worth positioning the unit to avoid blowing straight onto you.
• Mirrors: Mirrors are considered yin in some feng shui traditions. Too much yin energy is believed to affect sleep and bring vivid dreams or restlessness. Mirrors facing the bed are also traditionally discouraged. Some traditional beliefs suggest that mirrors can trap spirits.
• Windows: In feng shui, energy is believed to flow out through openings. A window above the bed may also let in light, noise or drafts, which can make it harder to rest.
• Wind chimes: Some believe wind chimes can bring excess yin energy and create a restless atmosphere. Their sound may also disturb sleep, so they’re usually better placed away from the bedroom.
• Over-bed wardrobes: These are common in UK homes because they make good use of vertical space, especially in smaller rooms. However, feng shui treats heavy objects above the bed as a source of overhead pressure. If you have one, make sure it’s securely installed and avoid storing heavy items above where you sleep.
• Exposed beams: A beam running across the bed or headboard is also considered a source of overhead pressure in feng shui. If you can’t move the bed, you could try softening the look with a canopy or other gentle décor.
• Sharp objects: Swords, knives and other sharp items are associated with negative energy in some traditions. They can also pose a straightforward safety risk if they fall, so keep them well away from the bed.

We spend a large part of our lives in bed, so the bedroom should feel like a safe, restful place. Whether you follow feng shui closely or simply want a more peaceful room, it makes sense to keep heavy, sharp or distracting objects away from the space above your head.

A clear, comfortable headboard area can help your bedroom feel calmer—and make it easier to settle in at night and wake feeling refreshed. Start with one small change: move anything that feels unsafe or unsettling, and keep only what helps you relax.