Is it bad Feng Shui to have portraits or photos of deceased people?

In Feng Shui, it is generally advised to keep photos of deceased relatives in a dedicated ancestor area, not in the main living spaces. Displaying them prominently in bedrooms or living rooms is believed to bring the energy of the past into active areas, which can feel heavy and affect the living residents.

How high should I hang art in Feng Shui?

Art should be hung at eye level — typically with the center of the piece at approximately 57-60 inches from the floor. Art hung too high creates upward escaping energy, while art hung too low grounds energy too heavily. Gallery walls should have the center of the entire arrangement at eye level.

Feng Shui Art Placement: Choose & Hang Art to Transform Your Home's Energy

Q: What kind of art is good Feng Shui?

Good Feng Shui art depicts uplifting, positive subjects: flowing water moving toward you, lush mountains and forests, blooming flowers, happy couples or families, birds in flight, sunrise or golden landscapes, and prosperous symbols. The art should evoke feelings of joy, abundance, and optimism when you look at it.

Q: Where should art be placed for good Feng Shui?

Art placement depends on the room and the Bagua area. In the living room, hang uplifting landscapes at eye level above the sofa. In the wealth corner, display abundance imagery. In the bedroom, choose calming, romantic imagery. In the career area (north), hang water scenes. Avoid placing art too high or too low.

Q: What art should I avoid in Feng Shui?

Avoid: abstract art depicting chaos or conflict, predatory animals or aggressive imagery, lonely solitary figures, dark or depressing themes, battle scenes, dying or wilted plants or flowers, downward-moving water, and anything that evokes negative emotions when viewed.

Q: Can abstract art have good Feng Shui?

Yes, abstract art can have excellent Feng Shui if it evokes positive emotions. Abstract pieces in uplifting colors, fluid organic shapes, and joyful energy work well. The key test is how you feel when you look at it — if it inspires you and brings joy, it has good Feng Shui energy.

The Feng Shui Art Golden Rule

Before applying any specific Feng Shui rule, apply this universal test: stand in front of the artwork and ask yourself how it makes you feel. If it brings joy, inspiration, warmth, or optimism — it has good Feng Shui energy regardless of subject. If it brings sadness, unease, or negative emotion — it must go, regardless of its monetary value.

Best Art by Room

Living Room

Uplifting landscapes, mountains with water, family gatherings, birds in flight, blooming gardens. Hang above sofa at eye level. Avoid solitary or sad figures.

Bedroom

Peaceful nature scenes, romantic imagery for couples, soft abstract colors. NO family photos, battle scenes, or single solitary figures.

Home Office

Mountains for support and stability, water scenes for career flow, inspirational imagery, eagles soaring. Place behind or beside the desk.

Dining Room

Abundance imagery — fruit, harvest, feasts, convivial gatherings. A mirror reflecting the dining table doubles prosperity.

Entryway

Welcoming, uplifting imagery — sunrise, open roads, blooming trees. Avoid art of closed doors, dark scenes, or threatening figures.

Wealth Corner (SE)

Waterfalls flowing toward you, lush forests, gold and purple abstracts, prosperity symbols.

Art to Remove Immediately

These types of art create negative energy and should be removed from your home or office:

✕Predatory animals attacking — lions, tigers, wolves in aggressive poses
✕Lone solitary figures — especially in bedrooms (attracts loneliness)
✕Downward moving water — waterfalls flowing away symbolize wealth draining
✕Battle, war, or conflict scenes — introduce fighting energy
✕Dying, wilted, or dry flowers and plants
✕Dark, stormy, or threatening weather
✕Abstract art evoking chaos, pain, or distress

Hanging Height & Gallery Walls

Hang all art with its center at approximately 57-60 inches from the floor — standard eye level. For gallery walls, treat the entire arrangement as a single piece and center the whole collection at eye level. Avoid hanging art directly above beds, sofas, or chairs unless it is very lightweight and securely fastened — heavy art above where people sit creates subconscious anxiety.

Related Feng Shui Home Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of art is good Feng Shui?

Uplifting subjects: flowing water toward you, mountains, blooming flowers, happy couples, birds in flight, golden landscapes, and prosperous symbols.

Where should art be placed for good Feng Shui?

It depends on the room. Hang landscapes above sofas, water scenes in the north, abundance imagery in the wealth corner, and calming art in the bedroom.

What art should I avoid in Feng Shui?

Avoid aggressive animals, solitary lonely figures, downward water, battle scenes, dying flowers, dark weather, and anything that makes you feel negative.

Is it bad Feng Shui to display photos of deceased people?

Keep photos of deceased relatives in a dedicated ancestor area, not in main living spaces or bedrooms, to avoid heavy past energy.

How high should I hang art?

Center of the piece at 57-60 inches from the floor (eye level). For gallery walls, center the whole arrangement at eye level.

Can abstract art have good Feng Shui?

Yes — if it evokes positive emotions. The key test: how do you feel when you look at it? Joy and inspiration equal good Feng Shui.