Feng Shui your kitchen

The most auspicious layout is a triangle comprising the oven and stove top, sink and work surface; this layout prevents any clash of energies between the main fire and water items, and is practical because it will allow you to move easily between the three areas.

Another good layout is an oven and sink located on the same wall but separated by a work surface. If you're planning a new kitchen, avoid placing fire and water appliances beside or opposite each other because their energies will clash; for example, don't have an oven opposite a fridge or beside a dishwasher.

Separating fire and water
Even if you can't redesign your kitchen, there are still various ways to separate fire and water energies. One method is by symbolically 'pushing them apart' using light. If you have spotlights in the kitchen, point one at the water item and one at the fire item. In addition, you could direct a third spotlight at the kitchen door, to push the kitchen away from the rest of the house, or, if your kitchen has a dining area, point the light at this area to separate it from the rest of the room.

If your oven is opposite your sink, and your kitchen is large enough, you could separate the two items with an island unit, but choose one with a plain work surface; don't add a stove top to the unit, because the gas or electric rings form another fire symbol.

Another way to separate fire and water is to hide water items, such as a fridge-freezer, behind the doors of your kitchen cabinets. ('Hide it and it disappears' is a handy basic rule in feng shui.) Simplest of all, you can lay a thin, non-slip rug or runner, in a plain colour that suits the pa kua location, between the conflicting items.

Areas for eating
If possible, eat in a separate dining room, where the energy will nurture feelings of calm and 'richness of life'. Try to avoid having meals in the kitchen, where the chi is too strong and fast-moving to encourage good digestion. However, if you don't have a dining room, you can still create a separate dining area in the kitchen by marking the space off with kitchen cabinets or furniture, and using colours and materials that promote calming energy.

Choosing colours
Clever use of colours is the easiest way to blend energies in a kitchen. Use just two or three main colours so you don't over-stimulate the chi. Light colours on the walls are enlivening without being too powerful. If you wish, you can add a few stronger touches with equipment and utensils that suit the pa kua location.

Lighting and reflections
To freshen the chi and help it to circulate, you need plenty of natural and artificial light. Halogen lights set into the ceiling are ideal because they cast almost no shadow. Racks of three or five spotlights are also excellent. However, avoid neon lights; their energy is too harsh and the flickering can cause headaches. If you have neon lights that you can't remove, include lots of rounded shapes to soften the energy.