Your Guide to Feng Shui Mirrors and How to Use Them
Feng shui mirrors are a powerful tool that you can use to harmonize the energy in your home. There are specific guidelines in using feng shui mirrors that you must follow in order to produce positive rather than negative energy. There are also propitious shapes that are more beneficial for feng shui design. Learn how to use mirrors to amplify the positive feng shui energy without reflecting any negative energy into your space.
Using Feng Shui Mirrors to Enhance Energy Flow
Feng shui experts cite several easy guidelines that determine the best placement for mirrors to promote the most harmonious flow of energy throughout your space.
Reflect Something Positive
Feng shui experts believe that mirrors amplify energy in our life. Use mirrors in your home to reflect things that you love and that you consider a positive element in your life. This can differ for each individual, but it might include something like a beautiful view, a piece of artwork, or a thriving indoor garden.
Just like mirrors amplify positive energy, they can also create more negative energy. Try to avoid reflecting negative things like clutter or sharp objects that create aggressive energy.
Use Mirrors to Redirect Energy
Feng shui mirror placement is powerful in this belief system as you can use them to redirect energy from one area to another. You can use mirrors to redirect energy from missing corners in your floor plan. These are areas of the house that are “missing” as relates to the bagua map.
For example, if your home has an asymmetrical shape, it may be missing a particular area from the bagua map. You can use a mirror to reflect into that missing space to create the illusion of a complete space.
You can also use mirrors to reflect into areas that need a boost in energy or reflect energy away from negative areas. Position the mirror near the negative areas, but make sure to always reflect positive images to create beneficial energy.
Mirrors in Moderation
Mirrors in feng shui are believed to reflect energy, but too many mirrors in one room can cause an overabundance of energy and make the space feel more chaotic. This means that you should limit the number of mirrors in one room. You should also avoid placing mirrors directly across from one another as this causes energy to bounce back and forth and not create stability.
Mirrors in Good Condition
You should always keep your mirrors clean and free from dust and smudges, as these can block the flow of good energy. Also, work to ensure that your mirrors are not broken or cracked. Feng shui practitioners believe that this can create negative energy and reflect a broken environment.
Mirrors Reflect Light and Space
Natural light is considered one of the best sources of light in feng shui design. This light promotes positive energy and promotes energy flow. Mirrors are useful in reflecting natural light and creating the illusion of space.
Ideal Sized Mirrors
It is important in feng shui design not to use mirrors that are too small for the space you intend it. Using mirrors that are too small will cause a small and broken reflection creating a poor reflection and thus projecting a negative self-image. Feng shui experts are mixed on the use of large mirrors. Some consider overly-large mirrors useful in feng shui design. Others feel that too large mirrors can create too much power in the space and disrupt the energy flow. As with everything, the key is moderation.
Avoid Distorted Mirrors
It is best to avoid mirrors that do not present a distorted image. These include cloudy, poor-quality, mosaic, and tiled mirrors. These mirrors warp the reflection and create a sense of unease and confusion in the room. This type of mirror can disrupt the flow of positive energy. Mirrors that have one piece of continuous glass are the best for feng shui purposes.
Feng Shui Mirror Shapes
Just like the shapes of decor throughout the room can have meaning in feng shui design, the shape of mirrors can also be significant in the type of energy it promotes.
- Round Mirrors – Round mirrors are one of the most propitious shapes in mirrors in feng shui design because they represent completeness. Round mirrors also represent the metal element. Use this shape to enhance metal energy which signifies clarity, precision, and accuracy.
- Oval Mirrors – Oval mirrors represent similar qualities to round mirrors. Yet, unlike round mirrors, they have a directional aspect. You can use oval mirrors to direct energy toward or away from particular areas.
- Square and Rectangle Mirrors – Square and rectangular shapes are seen as stable and grounded. These represent the earth element. Use this shape to promote structure and the nurturing energy of the earth.
- Tall Vertical Mirrors – Tall vertical shapes like columns and trees represent the wood element. Likewise, tall or vertically shaped mirrors can signify wood energy which represents upward and expansive growth and vitality.
- Triangular Mirrors – Triangular mirrors represent the fire element. Use these types of mirrors sparingly, as too much passion and energy can disrupt the harmonious peace of the home.
- Octagonal Mirrors – Octagonal mirrors have a similar shape to the traditional bagua shape and are thus powerful in feng shui design. This type of mirror is a good way to expand and attract energy into your home.
Ideal Feng Shui Mirrors by Room
There are important guidelines that govern the best way to use mirrors in each room of your home.
Bedroom
Feng shui experts debate the health of adding mirrors in the bedroom. Yet, for most of us, this is a necessary element in our bedroom design. You can use a mirror in the bedroom if you are careful to avoid certain placements. Do not position a mirror so that it can reflect anyone while they are sleeping, as it can disrupt energy and cause poor sleep. Also, do not place a mirror above the headboard, as this can make us feel unstable or unsafe.
Instead, place a mirror so that it reflects something positive, like a gorgeous view. This helps generate positive energy throughout the room.
Living Room
Mirrors in living rooms can generate either positive or negative energy depending on who is in the room and the image the mirror is reflecting. Try to avoid placing a mirror that directly faces an entrance. This can cause new energy that enters your house to become trapped. Also, avoid placing a living room mirror above a sofa. This heavy object above the sofa can make you feel unstable or unsafe.
Try to position a living room mirror to generate more natural light and a positive view. Be considerate about the people that you have over to your home and entertain in your living room. Their energy can amplify the positive or negative energy flow in your home.
Kitchen
Feng shui experts are mixed on mirror placement in the kitchen. Some believe that it can help you establish a commanding position near the stove if your stove faces away from a doorway. Others believe that the strong energy of the stove can disrupt the harmonious balance of the home.
The guidelines for kitchen mirror use are similar to other rooms. Avoid reflecting clutter or negative images in the mirror. Place a mirror in an area that helps you to amplify the light in the kitchen.
Dining Room
Dining rooms are one of the most auspicious places to use mirrors, as these are rooms that bring nourishment to the body and soul. Place mirrors so that they reflect the dining table and its members. This will create energy that has abundance and prosperity.
You can also place a dining room mirror to reflect natural light or a beautiful view if you cannot place it to reflect the table. Try to avoid facing an entryway directly.
Home Office
Feng shui experts are mixed on the placement of mirrors in a home office. Some believe that it doubles the burden of your work. Others view mirrors in home offices in a more auspicious light. They believe that mirrors in home offices or studies can reflect both abundance and creativity. Mirrors in home offices can also help you establish a command position if your desk is positioned so that you do not have a direct view of the doorways.
Bathroom
Feng shui experts use mirrors in bathroom areas strategically because they consider bathrooms as places where energy can drain away from your home. They do not want this aspect of bathrooms amplified by a mirror. Make sure to position mirrors so that they do not reflect the toilet. Instead, try to position mirrors in bathrooms so that they reflect a lovely view outside your house or bring in more natural light.
Entry/Foyer
Feng shui designers consider the entry the “mouth” of the house. In other words, it is the place where energy from the outside enters your home. Do not place mirrors directly opposite the front door, as this can absorb the energy that is coming into your home. Instead, position a mirror perpendicular to the door. As always, try to make sure that the mirror reflects a positive view rather than clutter or a blocked space.