You don't need a big kitchen to apply the principles of feng shui. In the Chinese tradition of feng shui, the kitchen is considered the heart of the home, a place that reflects that state of your health and is among the most important rooms in the home for happiness and wealth. Feng shui can add a calming and positive vibe into your kitchen while inspiring your design and organizational choices.

Before you get started, you should know the basics of feng shui, which was established by the Chinese more than 3,000 years ago. "The idea is that we all respond to our environments," according to the Feng Shui Society. That includes natural light, views, colors, plants, images and materials. "Our response to the atmosphere of each room may influence our mood, thinking, energy levels and more. The aim of feng shui is to create a home where each room has the ideal characteristics to succeed in whatever we want to do there.”

The kitchen is one of the key places to consider when implementing feng shui principles in your home. That's because feng shui energy interacts with fire and water, which are both found in the kitchen. Fire can lessen negative energy while the accumulation of water can be a source of wealth and abundance. Are you ready to feng shui your kitchen?

1. Declutter and Clean Up

The first thing to do when starting to feng shui your kitchen is to clean up. Throw away or donate anything you don’t need. Finally, get to work on that pile of bills you’ve been waiting to sort through. A messy kitchen is one that creates negative energy. To keep positive energy flowing through your kitchen, keep it clean and clutter-free. Everything should have a place in the kitchen, whether that’s in decorative storage containers, drawers, hanging on the walls or hidden away elsewhere. You'll also want to ensure nothing is broken in the kitchen. Set the intention of taking care of yourself with well-maintained appliances, plates that are chip-free and sharpened knives.

2. Paint with the Elements in Mind

Fire and water are represented in the kitchen, so keep away from fire tones like red, orange and bright yellow as well as blues and blacks that are reminiscent of water. These colors can cause imbalance and clash in the kitchen. White is a common kitchen color with its purity and clean feel. Neutrals like beige and off-white also work well to create harmony and warm feelings. As another option, pale yellow can promote socialization and cheer. No matter the size of your kitchen, the color is an easy way to apply the principles of feng shui.

3. Separate the Sink from the Stove

If you have the luxury of keeping some distance between your stove and sink, consider the placement of these major kitchen appliances. The sink (water element) and stove (fire element) can inflict negative energy when facing each other. If these appliances need to be facing each other based on the size and layout of your kitchen, consider placing an earth element in between them. That can be as simple as leaving a small house plant on the floor or having a sand-colored rug on the ground between them.

4. Consider Open Shelving

In the spirit of organization and decluttering, open shelving that can be used for storage is a great way to feng shui your kitchen. Just make sure that you use the shelving wisely, meaning you don’t turn it into a spot for random items and junk in your home. The shelving should be used for decoration, storage and to display some of the nicer items in your kitchen. Keep the coloring light and aim to match it to your cabinets.

5. Create Light

Having windows is a big plus in any kitchen as natural light is great. Even if you don’t have natural lighting in your kitchen, aim to add lights–or potentially smart lights–to keep the room filled with light. You may want to consider multiple types of fixtures, sizes and levels of lighting to sense the change in energy each provides. Two to three types of different lighting can provide a boost in the feng shui of a small kitchen.

6. Place a Mirror in the Room

A mirror can also help add to the feng shui of the kitchen if there's a fitting place to add one. Mirrors are called the aspirin of feng shui due to their ability to provide support of good feng shui energy, according to knowfengshui.com. Mirrors reflect your self-image, and a clear, clean mirror is important. You don't want to place a decorative or distressed mirror in the room. It should also be placed so that the tallest person coming into contact with the mirror can see themselves in it without being cut off. Have the mirror placed to reflect what you'd like to see more of in your life.

7. Make a Kitchen Garden

Small plants, aromatic herbs or even fresh fruit can add to the renewed energy and feng shui in your kitchen. Parsley, dill, mint, basil, sage, rosemary and thyme are among the herbs that can grow effectively in a kitchen garden. Even if your kitchen is small, you can place a small bed of dirt and seeds near the window. Start small and see what you have space for. If plants or herbs are out of the question, try placing a bowl of fruit on the counter or kitchen table.

The size of your kitchen doesn't have to impact your ability to apply the principles of feng shui to the room. Simply keeping your appliances well-maintained, cleaning and decluttering on a regular basis and decorating with the right colors can set you up for a kitchen that's filled with positive chi. Loving your kitchen is another simple thing that can add to the feng shui of the room. So make sure that what you’re adding and changing in the kitchen are things you’re happy with. Your own positivity can go a long way.

Author Bio: Lauren Silver is a Marketing Coordinator for Abt Electronics, the largest independent retailer of consumer electronics and major appliances. Lauren oversees all content creation from their Glenview, Illinois Headquarters. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, yoga, and cooking for her family.

Submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Lauren Silver © 2020 crystalwind.ca