9 Ways to Create Good Feng Shui in your Bathroom for a Relaxing Space

We’ve seen over the years that when people renovate their bathrooms, they’re not just after visual impact – they’re chasing a feeling. A sense of calm, clarity, or even control in the space where they begin and end each day. That’s why more of our clients have started asking us about how design choices can influence energy, mood and daily routines. One approach that’s come up more recently is feng shui – and while it might sound like a trend, there’s actually a lot of common-sense thinking behind it.

At its core, feng shui is about arranging your home in a way that supports wellbeing, balance and ease. It’s something we’ve naturally applied in a number of bathrooms over the years, even before the term was mentioned. The key ideas – thoughtful layout, natural elements, soft lighting and less visual clutter – are things we often recommend because they work in real life, not just in theory.

We’re not feng shui practitioners, but we do understand space, flow and how people interact with their environments. By combining our design experience with some of the principles that underpin feng shui, we can help create bathrooms that genuinely feel better to be in. Whether you’re interested in the concept from a wellbeing perspective or you’re just looking for a calming space that functions well, we’ve put together practical, achievable tips that can be used in any bathroom – no matter its size or style.

Why Feng Shui and Bathroom Design Go Hand-in-Hand

Bathrooms can be some of the hardest-working rooms in the home. They’re often compact, packed with plumbing, and used constantly. That alone makes it harder to keep them feeling light or open. Add to that the reality that bathrooms are considered, in traditional feng shui, a place where energy can drain away – and it’s clear why layout and design choices matter.

From our experience, clients want their bathrooms to feel restorative – a place where they can reset. Feng shui encourages exactly that by focusing on how movement, light, air and materials affect the way a space feels. You don’t need to follow strict rules to benefit from this – simple changes like rearranging storage, choosing curved fixtures or improving lighting can shift the feel of a room instantly.

Start with Layout and Flow

The first step is thinking about how you move through the space. A cluttered path from the door to the shower, or a toilet that’s the first thing you see when you enter, can disrupt the overall impression of calm. We often suggest layouts where the basin or bath is in the immediate eyeline, and the toilet is more discreetly positioned. This helps the room feel more considered and balanced from the moment you step in.

We’ve found that good layout doesn’t just improve appearance – it changes how people use and feel in the space. If you’re redesigning, consider asking about alternative arrangements that open up movement. Even in smaller bathrooms, a clever reconfiguration can make a world of difference.

If you’re after more layout ideas, our blog on How to Design a Small Bathroom Without Compromising on Style includes useful insights that align well with this approach.

Minimise Visual Clutter and Add Closed Storage

One of the simplest principles in feng shui is that clutter blocks flow. That applies just as much to open shelves packed with toiletries as it does to poor lighting or awkward placement of features. We always recommend integrating closed storage where possible – vanity units, mirrored cabinets, or tall cupboards – to help reduce visual noise.

This has a practical benefit, too. It makes cleaning easier and helps people maintain a space that feels calm without constant tidying. In our showroom, we feature a variety of storage solutions that help clients visualise how everything has its place – and why that matters for daily experience.

Introduce Natural Materials and Soften Hard Edges

Feng shui encourages the use of natural elements to promote a sense of harmony. In bathrooms, that might mean stone-effect porcelain tiles, real wood finishes (sealed properly for moisture), or live plants that thrive in humidity. We’ve fitted bathrooms where natural textures play a big role in softening the usual hard surfaces and creating a more grounded feel.

Even small changes like switching a high-gloss white vanity for one in a warm woodgrain can shift the mood of the room. We also find that rounded edges – whether in baths, mirrors or basin shapes – soften the energy of the space and make it feel more welcoming. It’s something we often suggest when designing for relaxation and calm.

For more style ideas using natural finishes, have a look at our article on Scandi-Style Bathroom Ideas, where these concepts are used in a modern, practical way.

Prioritise Lighting with Layers and Warmth

Lighting is one of the most overlooked elements in bathroom design, but it plays a huge role in mood. From a feng shui perspective, light is considered energy – so a room that feels dim, overly cold or flat can feel draining. That lines up with what we’ve noticed when clients use just a single ceiling light – the atmosphere feels unfinished or harsh.

Instead, we usually recommend layered lighting: task lighting around mirrors, soft ambient lighting for the main space, and if possible, dimmable fittings for flexibility. Where there’s natural light, we make sure it’s used to its full potential. Fitting frosted windows or simple, sheer coverings allows privacy without blocking daylight – another small shift that can have a big effect.

Choose Fixtures That Reflect Balance and Function

Feng shui promotes harmony between how a space looks and how it works. That’s something we always keep in mind when helping clients select fittings. We’ve seen how oversized or industrial-style fixtures can overwhelm a room – especially in smaller spaces – and affect how relaxing it feels. Compact, well-proportioned fittings with soft finishes tend to create a more balanced and inviting space.

Fixtures with rounded profiles, such as oval basins or curved baths, naturally contribute to a more peaceful feel. These are regularly featured in our designs and are ideal if you want to combine comfort with a refined appearance.

How to Position Mirrors Without Disrupting Energy

Mirrors are practical and decorative, but in feng shui, they also influence how energy flows. We avoid placing mirrors opposite toilets or cluttered areas, as they double the visual noise. Instead, we guide clients to position mirrors where they reflect natural light, feature tiles or calming elements like a bath or towel stack. This enhances light and maintains a positive feel.

We tend to favour round or softly curved mirrors in these cases, particularly for ensuite bathrooms or smaller spaces where layout is tighter. These details, while small, contribute meaningfully to how the room is experienced.

Keep Air and Energy Moving

Bathrooms benefit hugely from good airflow. From a practical point of view, it reduces mould and mildew. From a feng shui perspective, it keeps energy fresh and circulating. We always fit quality extractor fans with the correct extraction rate for the room size and encourage natural ventilation wherever possible.

Adding a few plants, if you have space and light for them, is another easy way to bring life and energy to the room. Ferns, peace lilies, and pothos are all good choices for humid conditions. Many of our clients say this small addition helps the room feel more lived-in and less clinical, especially when paired with natural finishes.

Use Colour with Intention

Colour sets the tone of the bathroom instantly. We’ve worked with clients who chose deep blues for calm, greens for freshness, and earthy neutrals to feel grounded. While feng shui links colours to different natural elements, the main takeaway is this: choose tones that support the kind of experience you want to have.

Our showroom collections show how subtle shifts in colour – even just in grout, flooring or cabinet fronts – can shift the overall tone of a bathroom. Whether you lean warm or cool, the aim is always the same: balance, ease and comfort.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a firm believer in feng shui or simply want your bathroom to feel more balanced and restful, these principles offer thoughtful, practical guidance. From layout and lighting to airflow and storage, each of these elements contributes to how a bathroom feels to use – not just how it looks.

From our experience, the best-designed bathrooms are the ones that support the people using them. If you’re planning a new project or simply want a space that feels calmer, more intentional, and easier to live with day-to-day, we’d be happy to help. You’re welcome to visit our Dorchester showroom to explore materials, fittings and finishes that support this kind of design.

If you’d like to read more about how to make the most of your space, our full blog section includes detailed guides on storage, smart tech, finishes, and layout planning – all written with real experience behind them.