Long before there were interior decorators to tell people how to coordinate color schemes and arrange furniture, there were ancient arts that offered guidance in these areas.

Feng Shui

Feng shui has recently become a hot new buzzword. It may seem like the latest trendy fad, but feng shui has actually been around for thousands of years, originating in ancient China. Feng shui is based on the idea of living in harmony with your environment and surroundings. If you want to observe the principles of feng shui, here are some important guidelines to keep in mind regarding your sacred space:

• The bed should be against a solid wall, and positioned in the center of two doors.

• The headboard should be aligned in a favorable direction, which is generally recommended as north.

• Some feng shui gurus believe you should not mix shapes — as in, having both square and circular furniture, for example — because it creates confusion and discord.

• Avoid having any screens or mirrors directly across from where you will be sleeping. This is believed to reflect negative energy.

• It is considered bad luck to sleep with your feet pointing toward the door.

• You should also avoid sleeping directly under a beam or rail.

Vastu

Vastu is the ancient Indian science of design and architecture. It shares some values and beliefs with Ayurveda and yoga. Many of the principles of vastu are similar to those of feng shui. For example, you should avoid circular beds and other bedroom accessories because it causes confusion.

Vastu is often closely associated with Ayurveda, which is somewhat fitting. While Ayurveda involves the health of a person, vastu is often viewed as the art of bringing good health to buildings. Ancient people believed the “health” of a home or building had a direct profound affect on the well-being of the people inside.