Transforming Your Kitchen with Feng Shui

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Feng shui is a Chinese term meaning "wind-water" in English. In America, it is known as a style of furniture and decor arrangement in the home to promote harmony. The practice of feng shui is becoming more popular, as the clean aesthetics and allure of a serene environment make it an appealing decorating style.

Feng shui in the kitchen promotes harmony throughout the home. Your family spends time in the kitchen not only preparing meals, but socializing and eating. If remodeling plans are in the future for your kitchen, consider adding feng shui elements into the new design.

Organization
The placement and organization of objects, rather than the objects themselves, is a large element of feng shui. Every single item (pots, pans, glasses, utensils, etc.) in your kitchen has its own place. The belief that a clean environment is a harmonious environment also puts great importance on cleanliness.

Keeping your cabinets, pantries, and work surfaces clear of clutter will prevent stagnant chi, so if you've found yourself with an excess of items in your kitchen start your Spring cleaning now! Donate or sell items that you do not use regularly, and store those items that you just can't part with somewhere outside of your kitchen. You may be surprised with the extra storage and work space you now have, and best of all, this element of feng shui won't cost you a dime!

Other Elements to Incorporate
Keep feng shui elements in mind when designing your new kitchen. Moving a door or window may become part of your renovation, as the flow of the home is an extremely important part of feng shui. Running water should be placed accordingly,

Feng shui promotes the use of natural materials. Use soft, rounded edges instead of hard, beveled edges. Cork and wood are popular for flooring and surfaces in feng shui kitchen design. These materials give your kitchen a relaxed atmosphere by slowing down chi. Steel and ceramic, on the other hand, speed up chi and leave a hurried, draining feel to your kitchen.

Lighting and color are the final feng shui elements in your kitchen design. Lighting fixtures should be well-spaced in your kitchen to provide ample light, and natural light should be used whenever possible. Keep your wall colors bright, soothing, and clean; yellow is a great color for the kitchen, as it promotes digestion.

As you can see, feng shui aims to transform your kitchen from a cluttered space to a harmonious and peaceful part of your home. Incorporating the above elements in your kitchen renovation plans can help you achieve just that. Consult a designer or contractor familiar with feng shui principles to assist you in designing your new kitchen sanctuary.

by Alicia Rowe