Feng Shui Kitchen Design

You don't need formal feng shui training to incorprate the fundamentals of feng shui into your kitchen design.  Feng Shui principles associate kitchens with prosperity, nourishment and health. For this reason the kitchen is one of the most important areas in an apartment, no matter how large or small.

Your kitchen should be clean, well-ventilated and bright. It should also be well-organized, free of clutter, easy to move around in and contain furniture that is comfortable. Chairs should always come in pairs with no uneven ones in sight.

Dirt and disorganization are the enemies of Feng Shui and should be avoided at all costs. Things that are broken or not in proper working order in the kitchen should be repaired right away or tossed out. If the faucets leak, they should be attended to as soon as possible due to the fact that water is symbolic of money, therefore a leaking faucet symbolizes financial drain.

Kitchen layout
It is widely accepted among Feng Shui practitioners that a kitchen that is designed properly is based on a traditional triangle model, with the refrigerator, sink and stove making up each point of the triangle. When positioning appliances, there should be a six- to eight-foot distance between each one. This allows for maximum convenience and a minimum of repeated moves.

It is important for the cook to be in a confident and "in control" position when at the stove, even when you are alone. You should be facing the door and not have your back to it. If it is impossible to arrange your kitchen appliances according to Feng Shui practice, then a cure for the loss of Chi energy (life force) is to place fresh flowers in the kitchen. Do not substitute fresh flowers with dried or artificial flowers. These contain no life energy and therefore provide no help whatsoever.

Kitchen colors
Colors representing the Fire Element, such as red, pink, or purple, should never be used in a kitchen as these colors can encourage lack of harmony and arguments in households. Colors more fitting include cooling white, beige, light green and blue.

Of the Five Elements that comprise the practice of Feng Shui, Earth, Metal, Wood, Fire and Water, the kitchen falls into two categories. It is a combination of Fire and Water. With the Five Element Cycle in mind, white mediates between the water and fire found in this room.

Important points to remember:

• Stale foods should be disposed of as soon as possible to help guard against a loss of good Chi energy.

• Utensils should be neatly organized and easy to find.

• Empty the garbage and recycle every night in order to open the door for new opportunities.

• Always clean up spills around the oven, stove and microwave as soon as they occur, as this reduces the chances of repeated disagreements.

• Do not sit near your microwave or toaster, and make sure they are not overhead or that close in proximity to the eating area, as this causes emotional upset and problems with family members.

• Financial stress can be lessened by sweeping and/or mopping on a weekly basis.

• Keep the bins and shelves in the refrigerator wiped down monthly.

• A fresh bowl of fruits on the kitchen table is a symbol of good health and vitality.

• Place a mirror behind the stove to double your good fortune and abundance.