10 Feng Shui Rules for Mirrors, According to Experts

Place Mirrors Perpendicular to the Front Door

Many feng shui experts do not recommend placing a mirror directly across from the front door, but rather on a wall perpendicular to it.

"The front door is very important in feng shui," The Holistic Home author Laura Benko tells MyDomaine. She suggests that when you hang a mirror, connect it to an intention, like expanding the opportunities in your life.

Use Mirrors on Any Dining Room Walls

Experts believe that the best room to hang mirrors in is the dining room. Dining rooms typically represent your capacity to hold wealth—something we likely all want to reflect a little more in our lives.

Avoid Mirrors in the Kitchen

Conversely, feng shui experts generally advise against placing mirrors in the kitchen—especially if they're facing a stove. Such placement is believed to host negative energy. So, if you're contemplating a mirrored kitchen backsplash, you may want to rethink things.

Place Mirrors Opposite Beautiful Views

Most experts suggest being mindful of what the mirror reflects inside and outside the home. "Mirrors in feng shui are like aspirin," says Benko. "They're prescribed often to treat many ailments. They're a quick adjustment when you want to expand a space and bring in more light." So, make sure they're reflecting a beautiful view and not a stack of bills.

Hang a Mirror Almost Anywhere in the Hallway

According to feng shui, mirrors placed in the hallway are seen as a positive. However, when they're placed at the end of a hallway, they can slow down the flow of energy in your house. On the other hand, they can be great on landings of small staircases to help widen the space.

Position a Mirror Near (Not Facing) Your Desk

Just like a mirror reflecting a stack of bills can introduce negative energy, a mirror facing your desk may work against you. This feng shui mirror placement may effectively double your workload. Besides, no one really wants to look at themselves while they work, right?

Opt for a Mirror in the Living Room

In the living room, mirrors are believed to make gatherings feel more festive by doubling the number of people present in the room. However, they can also amplify bad energy if your guests are negative. So, be careful who you invite over, or kindly tell your guests to leave their drama at home.

Avoid Putting Mirrors Above Beds, Sofas or Chairs

One place where feng shui experts warn against hanging a mirror is behind a sofa or a bed. Certified feng shui expert Marianne Gordon advises against the weight of objects above sitting spaces.

"Feng shui is all about feeling safe and secure in your space," she says, "and it's hard to feel safe with something heavy hanging directly over your head."

Use Mirrors Carefully in the Bedroom

"If you have trouble sleeping, let's talk about why that mirror on your bedroom wall might be the culprit," says the founder of Simple Shui, Amanda Gibby Peters. She suggests a quick test to see if your mirror might be affecting your sleep. "Cover the bedroom mirrors for a couple nights and notice if your sleep improves. If you sleep soundly with them covered, consider replacing them or moving them to a wall that's not facing your bed."

On the other hand, mirrors should be used carefully in the bedroom, says NYC-based feng shui consultant Laura Cerrano. "It's believed that mirrors have the ability to activate the energy within a room. Clients I work with will sometimes choose to keep a mirror in their bedroom and tell me that they sleep soundly. Some clients love the idea of no mirrors in the bedroom or may just place a long mirror inside the closet door. If you do that, just make sure the closet is organized, because mirrors double what they project," she says.

Keep Mirrors Away From the Toilet

In the bathroom, some feng shui practitioners suggest avoiding hanging a mirror directly across from the toilet since it can increase negative energy. Plus, do you really want to see yourself on the toilet?

Ultimately, while considering feng shui principles and personal comfort is important in designing a space, it's also essential to weigh these against practicality and individual preferences. What works best for one person or space may not be suitable for another, so flexibility is key in interior design decisions.