According to feng shui tradition, the kitchen is the heart of the home and is directly connected to health, prosperity, and a happy family life. Consequently, according to this tradition, having a feng shui kitchen is essential to your overall well-being. There are several aspects to keep in mind if you wish to create a feng shui kitchen. For instance, location of the kitchen and the placement of stove in relation to other appliances are crucial considerations. Organization, lack of clutter, and dominant color are also very important.
Feng shui is an ancient oriental art that focuses on the proper arrangement of objects so as to maximize the positive flow of energy or chi. The organization of objects is based upon the relationship of the five essential elements, namely fire, water, metal, earth, and wood. While experts consider it important to decorate all rooms in your home in accordance with these principals, they consider a feng shui kitchen key to unlocking health and wealth not only for you but for your family.
The location of your kitchen is an important consideration. Ideally, your kitchen should be situated in either the southern or eastern areas of your house, with windows facing either of those directions. Fire is the predominant element of the kitchen, and therefore, it is not wise to have your kitchen located directly next to the bathroom, which is dominated by the conflicting element of water. Similarly, if you have a two-story house, having a kitchen located directly below a bathroom is not considered good feng shui.
Your kitchen shouldn’t be located near a back door because positive chi moves quickly through the kitchen and can easily escape through a rear exit. Additionally, chi is not supposed to flow in a straight line from the front of your house to the back. If your kitchen is lined up directly with the front door, you should consider setting up a curtain or tall plant so that the energy does not rush unobstructed from the front door through to the kitchen.
In all likelihood, your kitchen has several basic appliances, including a stove, refrigerator, sink, and microwave. Out of all of these, feng shui experts consider the stove to be of utmost importance. The stove, which encompasses the fire element, should not be placed next to the sink or refrigerator, both water elements, and ideally should be situated at an angle to those appliances so that a triangle could be drawn, with the stove, refrigerator and sink at each of the end points. If you have a microwave, it should not be placed next to or above the stove because they are both fire elements and the effect on the chi would be overwhelming. Unfortunately, many times, improper feng shui placement of certain appliances cannot be avoided and, in those instances, placing green crystals or a live plant between them can minimize the negative effect on chi.
Aside from the placement and location of appliances, if you want to have a feng shui kitchen, you must keep it as clean, organized, and uncluttered as possible. Don’t overload your counter space with unnecessary gizmos and gadgets, and keep drawers and cabinets neat and organized, inside and out. If you have sharp objects, such as knives, forks, or scissors, never leave them laying out, but rather, make sure they are stowed in drawers or knife blocks. Keep up with your refrigerator, throwing away outdated food and ensuring that the shelves and racks are kept clean and neat.
Practitioners of feng shui also stress the importance for those using the stove to have a clear view of the kitchen. This might not be possible if your stove, like many, is placed against the wall. In that event, placing a mirror near the stove so that you can see the entrance to the kitchen while you’re cooking can help improve the flow of chi considerably. In addition, you should make sure that your oven and all the burners on the stove are clean, leak free, and in full working order. Otherwise, blocked or soiled burners could have a negative impact on your passion, expression, and overall prosperity.
To complete your feng shui kitchen, make certain you have plenty of light, both natural and artificial, so that the cooking area has a bright, airy feel. Choose cheery color schemes that utilize yellow, a color that promotes good digestion, or white to accentuate the purity and cleanliness of the kitchen. A bowl of fresh fruit or a living plant can be placed on the table or counter to enhance the wood elements in the kitchen and bring harmony and balance.
