Feng Shui your kitchen

When you paint wood (or any surface) it takes on the elemental energy symbolized by that colour; the colour on the surface overcomes the energy of the wood beneath. For example, white-painted wood 'becomes' metal. The natural colour of the wood can also help. Pine and oak symbolize wood, but maple is so pale that it symbolizes metal, and cherry represents earth. With regard to flooring, you can use tiles, vinyl or wood, depending on the pa kua location.

Doctor's orders

Problem: A fire item is in a pa kua sector ruled by water, or vice versa, and you can't reposition it.

Remedy: Bring in other elements to stop the conflict. If you have an oven in the north, use shiny metals to destroy the water energy. If you have a sink in the south, surround it with earth colours or symbols, which 'soak up' the water;choose warm, earthy colours for the walls, granite or marble work surfaces, and stone or terracotta tiles above a sink.

Managing fire and water energies

Controlling energy in a utility room
If you have a utility room next to your kitchen, the water energy can drain energy from the rest of the house, as in a bathroom. To control the problem, use earth symbols, such as warm yellows, apricot or caramel colours for walls and terracotta or stone tiling.

Location, location, location

North: The most beneficial elements in a northern kitchen are wood and metal, because water supports both of them in the Constructive Cycle of elements. Metallic colours and white, Shaker-style kitchens, and wooden surfaces and flooring are good choices.

Northeast: A blend of earth and metal works well here. Good choices include warm, earthy colours such as oatmeal and caramel for walls; terracotta or stone flooring; granite or marble work surfaces; and shiny pans and utensils in stainless steel, chrome, copper or brass.

East: The east is governed by the wood element, so wooden surfaces, and 'wood' colours such as green, are best in eastern kitchens. Yellows and reds also promote helpful energy.

Southeast: The most auspicious location of all for a kitchen, the southeast is ruled by the wood element, so wooden surfaces and 'wood' colours (see East, above) work especially well here.

South: Wood and earth symbols are beneficial in a southern kitchen, because these elements support fire, the ruling element of the south. Wooden cupboards and floors, earthy colours, terracotta or stone flooring and wood or granite work surfaces all go well here.

Southwest, west, northwest: For kitchens in these sectors, shiny metal with warm earth will form a rich blend. Metal colours (white, cream, silver-grey) and/or rounded metal utensils bring in beneficial energies. Earthy colours such as caramel and oatmeal, terracotta or stone flooring and granite or marble work surfaces would also be good choices.

• Feng Shui your living room
• Feng Shui your garden
• Feng Shui your bathroom