tips for a functional and beautiful kitchen

Our kitchen is one of the most important spaces in our homes. It is where our main energy comes from, starting with the food that we cook, its quality and cooking process and continuing with the good vibe and joy that the kitchen chef puts into his or her craft. Here below you can find my advices for a functional and beautiful kitchen, with some hints of Feng Shui.

Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness.

My first tip for a functional kitchen is to have it taylor (carpenter) made, rather than a modular kitchen. Having a good carpenter to craft your kitchen means you will benefit from the entire space dedicated to it, including the entire height and all the angles. Modular kitchens come in standard pieces that will fit to your space but never 100% and you will always have some remaining unused spaces.

The second advice would be to pay attention to the working triangle that is formed between the stove, the refrigerator and the lavatory. These three main elements always work better in a triangle, rather than in a linear position, as your work flow is better. You should pay attention to have this triangle rather compact but large enough for two people working in your kitchen.

Functional kitchens tip 3: have the stove in the “comand position” (Feng Shui advice), meaning that it should face the kitchen entrance / the livingroom / the eating place, the guests that are coming and so on. It is far better than having the back of the cook everytime the food gets made. Thus the fire gets its central deserved position. You can obviously apply this advice better if you are planning to have an island or peninsula kitchen, so chose to have the lavatory facing the wall and not the stove. In the case that you however have the stove facing the wall and you cannot change that, use shinny reflecting materials (that are also easy to clean) for that wall.

Functional kitchens tip 4: If you are in the process of choosing a new kitchen add 5-10 cm to the usual 60 cm kitchen depth. Almost all modular kitchens come in elements that have 60×60 as dimensions (and they work well) and also the carpenters have 60 cm as standard depth dimension of the kitchens. But you want something better than the standard right? 5-10 cm more (meaning a kitchen depth of 65-70 cm) will not take away alot of distance from your space but it may mean alot in terms of functionality: wider lavatory, more spacious cabinets and shelves, a more generous space for the work flow. Be a happier kitchen chef! 

Functional kitchens tip 5: Plan your storage space very well. It should be spacious enough also for all your kitchen appliances. Throw or give away what you haven’t been using in the last 2 years. Storing easily your appliances helps you clean the kitchen throughly and fast. Ideally have a cabinet with an extensible working plan where you can prepare the easy and fast receipes. A clean kitchen is like a new beginning every time: you feel refreshed, creative and confident to be your home chef!

Our kitchen in Feng Shui symbolizes nourishment and love. Keeping it clean is the main Feng Shui advice, as it represents the intention to take care of you and your family. Throw away daily any expired food from your fridge and anything you have in your kitchen that you haven’t been using for a long time. They represent stagnant and bad energy (Sha-Chi). Clean daily your kitchen ideally with water and salt (because salt is a natural crystal), paying attention especially to the cooking stove that is the focal point of the kitchen. A clean kitchen means a good flowing enery (Chi), a positive atmosphere, ready for your favourite cookig flavours and family moments.