There are many ways in Feng Shui that you can use mirrors to your advantage.

Some of the most popular ways are to reflect a beautiful view, bring more light into your space, or make the space appear larger. But equally important are the ways of not using mirrors, or the Feng Shui mirror is not.

The following tips address some of the ways mirrors are displayed that are considered bad Feng Shui and could create more problems for your home and life.

1. Never reflect the door.

A mirror should never be placed opposite a door or entrance. When this is the case, health and wealth can be sapped and opportunities crowded out.

This applies to a residence or a business.

Mirrors placed at the back of a store attract more business, but they should not be seen from the front of the store.

There was once a bakery with mirrors on the back walls of the store that went out of business. Passersby on the street in front of the bakery could see the cars and passersby in the walls behind the store.

This was followed by other bakeries and restaurants, which also ceased operations. Eventually the mirrors on the back wall were removed and the new bakery has moved in there for over five years.

Check reflections from multiple directions.

Mirrors shouldn’t reflect a bathroom or a front door, but you might not even know they are unless you take in all the views.

For example, one house had a mirror above the fireplace opposite the front door, but it was only when you went to the second floor, which was open to the living area, that you could see the mirror reflecting the door.

Be sure to check your mirrors from different spots to make sure they’re not reflecting off the door, bathroom, or kitchen.

2. Never reflect the bed.

When a bed is reflected in a mirror, it can cause insomnia and restlessness. It can also double the number of people in the room, and in Feng Shui thinking this could mean unrest in the relationship and lead to infidelity.

3. Do not reflect a chimney or stove.

Fire is the element of joy and helps us stay warm and cook our food. However, reflected fire can bring in too much fire energy, which can cause fear, fatigue, and anger.

For this reason, it’s best not to install mirrors that reflect the stove (a common Feng Shui recommendation that can cause problems), the kitchen, or a fireplace.

4. Avoid using mirror tiles or sets.

A solid mirror is great Feng Shui, but mirror sets that are hung with gaps look like the image of what is being reflected is being cropped, so these are best avoided.

5. Never place mirrors at the end of a hallway.

Mirrors hung on a wall in a hallway are positive for slowing energy and brightening a dark room, but they should not be placed at the end of a hallway.

Placed at the end of a hallway, mirrors often distort from afar, adding a spooky feel. You can also be disarming when you see a person’s reflection in the mirror, when you’re walking from one room to another, or when you see your image at night.

6. Avoid installing mirrors at the top or bottom of the stairs.

Whether placed at the top or bottom of the stair, mirrors at either end of a stair cut off a person’s image and can be confusing. Below they crop the image of the person coming down the stairs. At the top of the stairs, a mirror can push energy down the stairs.

7. Never use Feng Shui mirrors.

Pa kua, bagua or Feng Shui mirrors are often sold in Feng Shui shops. However, these mirrors radiate powerful energy and should not be displayed without the guidance of a qualified Feng Shui professional, and even then only in very specific cases. Displaying these mirrors can often spell bad luck for those who put them up, so it’s best to avoid them.