We really liked Mat's comment following our Top 10: Easy Feng Shui Tips for the Bathroom:
I've always liked to think of Feng Shui as the ancient Chinese art of living space organization. :) So many people think it's bunk, but the fundamentals make for a great place to live.
We agree. So, with that said, here are our feng shui tips for the kitchen:
• Use all the stove burners regularly -- don't use just one burner, rotate their use
• Keep knives out of sight
• Clean -- particularly the stove/oven, the refrigerator, and under the sink
• Repair anything that needs to be repaired
• Declutter -- this includes hidden clutter, so clean out your cupboards
• The cook must be able to see anyone entering the door -- if necessary, use reflective tile or a mirror over the stove
• Keep trash and recycling out of sight
• Have adequate lighting
• Place fresh flowers or a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter, windowsill, or table
Copyright © 2008 Apartment Therapy
Boy do I agree with "Keep knives out of sight." Those magnetic knife holders that so many people use creep me out completely. It looks like the Knives could just fly off at anytime. I guess I am lacking faith in the physics of magnetism, but I just hate those things!
*high five*
So now I can't find a picture of the Alessi knife holder that's shaped like a cartoon body, with the knives sticking out of it. The ultimate in bad feng shui!
Agreed Wende, agreeeeed!
I [heart] magnetic knife strips. I guess I feel that it's bad feng shui to put your blade in/out of some fusty block of wet, possibly molding, wood. But, now that you mention it, the possibility of knives flying off the wall, poltergeist style, is a bit scary...
A couple years ago i purchased one of those magnetic knife holder strips and mounted it UNDER my upper cabinets. They are out of sight but easily available anytime. I cook alot and love the hidden convenience.
I love my magnetic knife strip, too, and will never, ever give it up.
I keep my knives in a cutlery drawer - I fail to understand why you need to get at a sharp knife any quicker than you need to get at any other item of kitchen equipment
(I too have the 'Carrie' reaction to seeing loads of knives hung up)
How do you guys feel about pot racks? Do all those pots hanging clutter up the space? Hubs says yes, but getting pots out from the cabinets and on a pot rack has cleared up so much needed cabinet space. Not sure how this dilemma works out with feng shui.
I personally don't like pot racks or knife magnets, but that's just me, I'm a clean freak. Does it feel cluttered to you Maria?
FS may have super stringent rules such as what direction your bed should face depending on the year of your birth, but I think most people subscribe to the idea of a home having "flow" for lack of a better term.
I'm not a fan of pot racks either. I dont like the visual clutter. Also, it seems the dust would collect and require a pot to be washed before it is used. My magnetic knife holder and pot rack opinions are not based on anything feng shui-ish though...just my personal preferences.
I'm going to give the pot rack a try just to see if I can stand it. If the visual clutter becomes too much, the rack and I will part ways. (One positive thing that may work in my favor is that my hanging red pots will really "pop" in my black/white kitchen.)
I have had a half moon pot rack up in my kitchen since moving to CA and I love it. Mainly as I have always wanted one and it gives me much need storage space. The pots have yet to get dusty up there, I think they would if you never cooked and had them up there for decoration. But we use all the pots regularily and they stay as clean there as anywher.
The magnetic knife strip I have always been slightly intimidated by. My aunt has had one as long as I can remember and I can't tell you how many times, as a child I went to either put one away or grab one and a few fall down, scary situations to be in.