Are you having a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep? If you are, your bedroom might be keeping you awake.

If your bedroom is cluttered, over-filled with furniture, and your bed is uncomfortable, it's not relaxing. It can have the opposite effect, making you feel stressed, agitated and wide awake. If you're a frequent sufferer of insomnia, or if your room is more of a catch-all than a retreat, it's time to rethink your design.

Practitioners of Feng Shui and those that work and live in the spaces designed in its principles claim that it creates peace, harmony and good health. While you might think that it's an elusive process, trying to Feng Shui your bedroom only takes seven easy steps.

Step 1: Relaxing Room Color

Perhaps one of the most important, and prominent, features of any room are the walls. It's vital that the paint color you choose for your room is a tone that makes you feel calm, relaxed and secure. Avoid bright colors such as red and orange, which tend to be stimulating. Also, stay away from wallpaper with a bold pattern, color, or anything that has a shine. To create a cozier room, opt for neutral tones, or lighter blues and greens in a matte finish. This way, the walls envelop you in the sense of calm, as you prepare to fall asleep and set the stage for a peaceful night's sleep once you're there.

Step 2: Minimal Bedroom Furniture

The amount and type of furniture that you have in your room either create a cocoon or a cluttered catch-all mess. That said, it's not necessary to fill the room; in fact, it should be open and free of obstructions and excess items. For the most part, your bedroom is for relaxing, sleeping and romance. You only need a bed, perhaps a couple of bedside tables, a chair and maybe a dresser. It honestly depends on how much space you have. Get rid of any furniture and anything else that doesn't help you rest. That means it's not the right place for your desk, dirty laundry pile, or exercise equipment.

Step 3: Strategic Furniture Placement

When it comes to arranging the furniture in your room, the main piece to focus on is the bed. It's vital that you find the perfect position in the place to create the most restful atmosphere. First of all, the head of the bed should always be against a wall. However, not just any wall will do some are not appropriate at all. Avoid walls that have a door or window as these areas are prone to disruptions, thus making it harder to relax. Instead, place your bed on a wall that's opposite the door, or with the best view of the door. Facing the door offers a feeling of security and control, which will make the rest easier.

Step 4: Quality Bedding and Pillows

It's impossible to get comfortable on a lumpy mattress covered in scratchy blankets and sheets. What you need is a firm mattress that supports your body just right. It needs to be in nice bedding like comfortable, linens and topped with a soft, warm blanket or comforter. While you might think that several pillows will help you find a good position, you're better off with one good shut for your head. A pillow between, or under, your knees will help relieve pressure points that cause pain. However, too many pillows, blankets and other items on the bed will make it harder to sleep so don't go overboard.

Step 5: Complimentary Wall Art and Mirrors

It's natural to want to decorate your bedroom with some artwork and perhaps a mirror or two. Just be careful as to how much, and what type of imagery you choose for your space. Calm, soothing colors and subject matter are better than bright, provocative images that scream for attention. Mirrors are great for checking your appearance before leaving for work in the morning, but they're not so great for sleep. If you must have a mirror, don't place it across from your bed, or anywhere that you'll be prone to seeing it. Any light change or movement in the mirror will attract your attention and keep you awake, so remove, or cover mirrors so you will be less bothered by them and sleep better.

Step 6: Warm Room Lighting

Your brain produces a hormone called melatonin as evening rolls around. It's known as the darkness or sleep hormone, and it triggers your body to prepare for a genuinely beneficial rest. Bright sunlight in the morning helps you wake up and get ready for the day. Likewise, bright light, even artificial light, keeps you awake at night and makes it difficult to fall asleep. To sleep better, turn off the television or computer. Dim lights an hour or so before bed and close the blinds to block out the influence of outdoor lighting. At bedtime, turn off all the lights and shut the door to ensure the room is dark.

Step 7: Minimal Noises and Distractions

Many people fall asleep to music, or the television chattering, believing that it's just background noise. Some use a water feature or another natural noise generator to induce sleep, thinking the sound is relaxing. The truth is, your brain is very active when you sleep, and noises are recognized, keeping you from slipping into sleep. Cell phones are, perhaps the most prevalent nighttime distraction that keeps people awake and completely disrupt sleep patterns. Instead of keeping yours by the bed where you can easily reach and see it, put it in another room to charge overnight.

Conquer Feng Shui with Nest Bedding