18 Effective Steps To Improve the Feng Shui of Your Kitchen
Dr. Michael Oon
In feng shui, the kitchen directly relates to wealth and well-being. A nourishing, healthy diet prepared under the right circumstances produces a dynamic individual who in turn produces exceptional work which invites prosperity and so on in an ever-reinforcing positive sheng Energy cycle.
This article provides 18 effective tips to improve the Feng Shui of your Kitchen.
1. Location to improve the Feng Shui of your Kitchen
Ideally, the kitchen should be located on the edge of your home in the inner half of the property, that is, in the half furthermost from the main entrance. There is a very practical traditional explanation for this - a kitchen fire is more manageable at the edge of the home than it is in the centre.
Try and situate your kitchen in one of your least favourable locations according to the Kua formula. This paradox occurs because though kitchens in themselves do not create good luck, they are potent antidotes to bad luck because of the strong energy of the Fire Element, represented by the presence of the powerful stove. By placing your kitchen in one of your least auspicious areas, its energy will press down on the Sha Energy, thereby keeping it from bringing you any harm. The drainage in a kitchen has the same effect.
2. The Stove
The stove produces enormous amounts of power. Therefore, it is essential that it is placed correctly. In traditional feng shui, the luck of the patriarch or breadwinner is directly related to the facing direction of the mouth of the stove. Ideally, this should be your sheng Energy direction under the Kua formula. If you don't want to follow the Kua formula, a good general position is diagonal to the entrance door. Never ever place your cooker in the North-west corner of the kitchen. If it is there, please move it to a safer place. (See stove no-no's panel.)
3. The Layout
In an ideal layout, the cooker (Fire Element) should not be placed next to or opposite either the refrigerator or the sink (Water Element) since the two Elements are incompatible - Water puts out Fire. Separate them as much as you can, ideally by placing something from the Wood Element (a wooden table, a wicker basket, etc.) between them or, failing that, leave as large a gap as possible between the appliances.
4 Awareness
It is important that when you are working in the kitchen, you are able to see everyone entering and leaving the room. This is to avoid subconscious insecurity gathering while you are preparing food. If you must cook with your back to the centre, remedy the situation by hanging a mirror or polished steel utensil over the work surface so that the reflection gives you a perspective on both the room and the entrance. Do not hang a mirror over the stove as this would be inviting disaster by doubling the effect of the Fire.
5. Sha Qi
Kitchens are usually full of secret poison arrows. To counter their effect, try and soften sharp edges. For instance, round tables are preferable to square tables for good health. Use curved low-level shelving units instead of tall square ones and place doors on the shelves to smother the arrows. Avoid overhanging racks, especially when they are suspended over the preparation area. Most importantly, put away those sharp knives.
6. Being Tidy
Space is imperative for creation and composure in the kitchen. However, kitchens are also notorious for being clutter magnets. An inspection of probably any kitchen would reveal a gaggle of disused items that are occupying precious space. Surplus equipment can be stored neatly away in cupboards or drawers in other rooms.
Do clear up the bench space. You need space to work, but leaving items because of convenience adds to the clutter and untidy appearance.
7. Cut out Problems
Kitchen knives should not be exposed by hanging them on the wall either on a rack or stuck onto a magnetic plate, as is favoured by some modern kitchen storage designs. Instead, store knives in a wooden block or put them away in drawers.
It is also considered inauspicious to display strings of garlic, onions or other dead plants in the kitchen as they attract too much yin energy in an already yin environment. Store them on vegetable racks or in baskets in cupboards.
8. Change of Energy
Ensure your kitchen is spacious, airy and well-lit. Allow lots of fresh benevolent ch 'i in through the windows to energise the room. It refreshes or changes the atmosphere of the kitchen. It is far more pleasant than noisy, greasy extractor fans.
9. Decorations
The kitchen is a Feng Shui Negative area. Energy drains away from this room. Therefore, do not place any symbols of Good Fortune in this area. However, it might be an idea to have images of your family or loved ones there. You are preparing food for them and sharing your love.
Of course, having bowls of fruit is a useful and practical idea.
Another suggestion is to have images of your favourite dishes or dishes you have enjoyed the most. Or using cookbooks from celebrity chefs or authors to provide you with the necessary inspiration.
10. Plants
The Energy in the Kitchen is disruptive because of the exit flow of water and the heat from the stove and oven.
It would not be a practical idea to place the feng shui enhancing plants like the money plant etc in this part of the house. However, planting herbs or miniature fruit trees is a suggestion. Having a convenient source of fresh plant material is always a good idea.
11. Lighting
Keep lighting simple. Of course, having a window is best where natural sunlight can come in. However, not everyone has that beneficial facility. As regards artificial lighting, modern ceiling lighting is the most practical. It does create unnecessary shadows, it is bright, but most importantly, it is easy to maintain. It does not gather dust or grease easily and is easier to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen.
Another suggestion is to have lighting above the kitchen units. Modern lighting systems like LED lights have low running costs. Connecting to a timer provides good unobstructed background lighting when the kitchen is not in use.
Of course, have lighting for specific areas - over the stove or food preparation areas. Make sure that there are built-in or unobtrusive fittings for easy cleaning.
Avoid table lamps as they take up space and become dust and grease traps.
12. Colours
Suggested colours for kitchens include beige to temper the power of Fire and green which helps to balance the Fire and Water elements with Wood. Have tiles to create a pattern so that the dirt and residue from the cooking is not easily visible. Tiles are easy to clean and are waterproof, and are more resilient to accidental splashes.
13. Natural Material
Incorporate lots of natural yin materials like cotton, plants and basketware into the decoration to balance out the emphasis on heavy yang metallic objects. Keep these decorations away from the areas of activity as they can get stained easily.
14. Malfunctioning Equipment
Don't have broken or malfunctioning equipment surrounding you and certainly do not use it for cooking with - either fix. This is about maintenance and well-being. The more care you put into the equipment and the kitchen, the better the quality of your food and the results you get in life. This reflects in your attitude.
15. Waste Bins
Always cover your waste bin with a lid and keep it out of sight. The bins should be emptied regularly.
16. Cleanliness
The whole kitchen, including the cooker and particularly the kitchen sink are to be kept scrupulously clean. You do not want food cuttings to fester with bacteria in a food preparation area. Check under the equipment where hidden scrapes can be lurking.
17. Covering the Drains
Try to ensure that drainage exits are not visible, so Energy energy is not.
18. Improve Good Fortune
To create abundance in the home, make sure the refrigerator and larder are well-stocked at
all times. In traditional Chinese homes, the rice container is never allowed to be empty. It should always be filled up as soon as the bottom of the jar is visible. In the Western context, the potato rack, bread bin or pasta jar should never be completely empty. Apart from good housekeeping, this practice symbolises that the family will never be short of food.
Commentary
These 16 Effective Steps to Improve the Feng Shui of your Kitchen – are straightforward and easy to implement. This article was written by Michael Oon practises Traditional Feng Shui and a member of Alliance Feng Shui.
