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The command position
The command position means lying so that you can see the door without being directly in line with it. The reasoning is a feeling of security. The headboard stands against a solid wall, not under a window.
In a narrow room this may be impossible. Then a mirror from which you can see the door can help, or you accept the layout and attend to the other points.
Around the bed
Leave room on both sides so each person can get in and out. You can use space under the bed for storage, but try not to fill it with work files or anything that reminds you of tasks. A sturdy headboard gives a sense of support.
Beams or sloping ceilings above the head are common in older houses and lofts. If they bother you, shift the bed slightly rather than altering the room.
Light, windows and darkness
Choose warm, dimmable lamps and a bedside light on each side. Heavy or blackout curtains help if street light disturbs you. Keep the room cool and ventilated.
Try to avoid bright overhead lights in the hour before sleeping. Many people find a lamp that fades down more pleasant than a switch that flips from full to dark.
Technology, mirrors and work
Phones, TVs and laptops are best kept out of the bedroom. If that is not possible, leave them on silent and out of arm's reach.
Mirrors facing the bed are said to be restless. A wardrobe mirror can be covered with a cloth at night. A desk and an ironing pile are also distractions in a bedroom.
Colours and plants
Soft tones such as sand, light grey, sage green and dusty blue fit. Strong red is considered too much fire for a sleeping room.
Plants are used sparingly. If you want one, choose a non-toxic species, especially around children and cats. See plants for more. For sleep problems no arrangement helps; talk to your doctor.
Bedding, mattress and tidiness
A bed without a headboard can be improved with a shelf or a fabric panel on the wall. Pick a mattress that suits your body; for back pain, a doctor or a specialist shop will help more than any rule.
Change the bedding regularly and keep the room tidy. If clothes pile up on a chair, a laundry basket with a lid is the simple answer. A lamp on each side is considered balancing and lets two sleepers set their own light.
Small bedrooms and shared rooms
In a small room, choose a bed with drawers underneath and slim bedside tables, so floor space stays open. Keep the area around the door clear; a chair and a basket by the door quickly turn into a pile.
If you share the room with a partner, agree on one lamp setting and one rule about phones. A calm, tidy room with a bed you like getting into does more for rest than any amount of symbolism, and that is a sound way to read this advice.
Questions people ask
What if the bed fits in only one place?
Then it goes there. Compensate with light and order rather than worrying about it.
Do I need to remove electronics?
It is advice, not a rule. If they stay, silence them and keep them away from the bed.
Is red allowed in the bedroom?
In small touches such as a cushion, yes. As the main colour it is traditionally avoided.