Whether a TV belongs in the bedroom or not often comes with a hefty debate, be that between friends discussing their bedroom layouts or couples that have conflicting ways of unwinding before sleep.
What if it means you will miss the next episode of Flip or Flop? Or if the grandchildren will be less likely to cuddle up in bed for a while with a cute cartoon on in the background?
We asked the experts to weigh in on the debate and offer a balanced overview. This is what they say we should consider for a beautiful bedroom with good Feng Shui and 'design vibes.'
Do TVs belong in the bedroom?
Much like how we choose different color schemes to elevate joy or to bring more luxury to our bedrooms, the question of whether or not a television belongs in the bedroom is an important design consideration that will impact the look and feel of your space.
Ultimately, there's no right or wrong answer to this question. As with all bedroom ideas, this is a personal choice. However, unsurprisingly, most design experts do not encourage televisions in the bedroom for well-being reasons and to promote better Feng Shui. So is a TV in the bedroom committing the worst Feng Shui bedroom mistakes known to us, and does it matter? Let's take a look at four key considerations:
1. Bedroom 'design vibes' should encourage rest, relaxation, and passion
First things first, we must consider the main purpose of our bedrooms. We employ calming bedroom colors and uncluttered designs for good reason, this is the space where we rest and recharge.
According to Certified Feng Shui practitioner, Dr Hannah Yang, a television simply does not help with the latter. When sharing her thoughts with Homes & Gardens, Dr Yang said: 'A TV in the bedroom is considered a “no-no” for a couple of different reasons. A bedroom is ideally a space that is reserved for sleep and intimacy. As such, the design vibes should facilitate rest, relaxation, and maybe a bit of passion.'
Dr. Yang is the founder and CEO of Balanced Awakening, a safe space where women can seek psychotherapy. Dr Yang is a licensed psychologist and certified Feng Shui practitioner who loves integrating her passion for design into her work, to create wonderfully balanced environments for herself, her team, and clients.
Experts widely agree that most electronics are items to never store in a bedroom because they create a cluttered aesthetic that is far from tranquil, and televisions are no exception to this rule.
'The bedroom is a place of rest, relaxation and restoration,' explains Tsao Lin Moy, Founder of Integrative Healing Arts. 'An environment that is stress-free and a peaceful sanctuary should prioritize health and wellness'.
2. The balance of 'yin' and 'yang' must be on point
'A TV in the bedroom is considered 'bad' Feng Shui,' Tsao Lin Moy continues. 'TV screens or computers should not be in a bedroom; they are portals to the outside world, and energetically they invite strangers into your bedroom'.
In order to create a relaxing bedroom that can calm the senses and act as more of a restorative space, you should consider purchasing the best mattress and elevate your sleeping routine, but addressing the flow of energy in the room might help too. Ensuring the correct balance of 'Yin' and 'Yang' is fundamental to a sound Feng Shui bedroom layout. Placing your bed in the 'command position' and leaving space on either side can help the flow of Chi (energy) and maintain balance.
Tsao-Lin Moy L.Ac.,MSOM is an alternative and Chinese medicine expert with over 21 years of experience in the field. As a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, Tsao loves sharing knowledge to empower people to cultivate health, wellness and longevity and has been featured in many other reputed publications.
'Think about your bedroom layout from a Feng Shui perspective,' urges Dr Yang. 'Yin energy is anything that is calm, receptive, dark, quiet, and peaceful,' she explains. 'Yang energy is anything that is active, bright, or stimulating. The energy of a bedroom should be primarily “yin” and not too much “yang” to meet the goal of being a restful and intimate space'.
Televisions have a strong 'yang' energy as they are stimulating objects that, when turned on, become a box of sound and bright lights. 'Even when they are turned off, they still hold and signify an active energy, which is usually the opposite of what you want in a bedroom.'
3. Overall health should be a priority
Numerous studies show that a good night's sleep is inherent to better health, and Tsao-Lin Moy notes how an unrestful space that inhibits us from sleeping better can trigger stress and anxiety, which can be detrimental to our overall health and well-being.
The last thing you want to feel is unsettled or unhealthy in your bedroom, so if this rings true when you currently have a television on the wall, you might want to consider removing it or stylishly concealing the TV from view. According to Moy:
'When you enter the space, you may feel uneasy, chaotic, exhausted, and even a bit ill - this is the result of bad feng shui. Ideally, all electronic devices such as tablets, smartphones, and computers should not be in the bedroom, as blue light affects sleep quality.'
She continues: 'Blue light from our screens can interfere with our circadian rhythms, our biological clocks, and ultimately our overall health. Screens are also reminders of work and can trigger anxiety.'
Amanda Gibby Peters, agrees: 'TVs secrete strong EMFs, which can be disruptive to restful sleep. This can manifest as not being able to fall or stay asleep; feeling restless, and feeling like your thoughts are more intense at night. This is common in the bedroom, where many of us reach for our phones to scroll just before bed.'
4. Your bedroom should support you and your evening ritual
In some instances, however, perhaps we do not have to brush TVs off so quickly. Amanda Gibby Peters, Founder of Simple Shui™, shares how there can be much more to address when it comes to making this decision:
'While there are challenges to having a TV in the bedroom, as a practitioner, I am always going to ask my client about their evening rituals; the quality of their sleep and relationships; and their bedroom (and what they love/dislike about it).
'Essentially, if you love your space, enjoy good rest, and have a healthy, happy relationship(s), there is no reason why you should forsake the television. Similarly, if a TV is a source of comfort during a stressful time, and can help lull you back into restorative sleep.'
Amanda Gibby Peters is the voice and visionary of Simple Shui™ — a modern-day, mission-driven, love-based practice of Feng Shui. She’s been teaching Feng Shui techniques and tips for nearly two decades, witnessing the breathtaking life transformations of her readers and clients. Her work has been featured on Architectural Digest, Food52, Lonny, and Amazon. She is Dallas-based with an international clientele, where she lives with her husband, twin daughters, and their rescue dog, Ruby.
FAQs
Should I move my TV out of my bedroom?
As we have seen, there is wiggle room, and if you feel like a television is positive in your bedroom, there is no reason why you should not keep it. Only you will know how the space looks and feels as a result.
'While a lot of sleep experts advise against a TV in the bedroom, most of our clients see their master bedroom as a multi-functional oasis and want to feel connected to the world while in bed,' says interior designer Amy Youngblood. 'Hence a TV typically mounted to the wall directly in front of the bed is most common.'
'However, for children's bedrooms, I usually don’t encourage televisions, as they can be a large distraction from homework and other responsibilities around the house. Kids and teenagers having a phone is already enough of a distraction!'
If you are not sure, Peters suggests covering the television for a short period of time to see whether you should move it out or be fine to keep it: 'Before moving a TV out of the bedroom, I recommend covering it with a blanket for a week and asking the client to notice any changes in their sleep quality. Most of the time, they do report back getting better sleep – and that validation for them is usually enough incentive to either move the TV out or find a way to cover it at night.'
How should I style a TV in a bedroom?
'While my first choice would be to leave a TV out of the bedroom entirely, some people may still prefer to have the option,' says Dr Yang, Certified Feng Shui practitioner. 'If this is the case, there are a few things that can be done to conceal or style a TV in a bedroom to minimize its negative impact on sleep and intimacy. One suggestion is to keep the TV covered at night or when not in use.
'There are all kinds of ways to do this - from a painting that slides over the TV to a wall of curtains that gets closed,' she continues. 'I would even go as far as to suggest unplugging the TV at night to reduce the electromagnetic field around while sleeping. If the bedroom is big enough, I’d try to confine the TV to be viewed from a seating arrangement separate from the bed. If there was enough space, I’d try to treat the bed and area around it as a separate zone to discourage TV watching from bed.'
How big should my bedroom TV be?
'In Feng Shui, size often matters,' explains Amanda Gibby Peters, Founder of Simple Shui™. 'The bigger the TV, the more energy it contributes to the space.' Therefore if a TV is necessary for your sleeping partner, a smaller one can make a sound compromise.
'My experience has taught me that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to Feng Shui and homes,' says Amanda Gibby Peters, Founder of Simple Shui™. Peters encourages us to focus on the bed itself, instead of empty objects like electronics to foster a sense of gratitude in the space. 'The idea here is without the distractions, our bed feels welcoming, and we harness all the benefits of that simplicity.'
So before you default to keeping or bringing a television into your sleeping space, consider whether it will benefit you and your family long-term. Make sleep a priority in the new year with a simpler space that promotes good health and energy. And if you do feel that a TV can have its place in your bedroom, make sure the cables are expertly organized.
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