Feng Shui Guidelines for the Kitchen: An article by Master Cecil Lee, including his seven principles for stove positioning

[Cecil Lee]

[Published on July 2004]

Seven (7) Commandments of Stove Placement

1. Shield from vibrant wind. Avoid having a big window behind the stove.
2. Do not place next to sink. If you have to, try to leave a gap or distance between the two.
3. The stove should not face the main door; a toilet door; a bedroom door and the kitchen door.
4. The stove should not be under a beam or below sewerag or drainage pipes.
5. Do not place it in a corner.
6. It should not share the same wall as a bed-head.
7. It should not share the same wall as the toilet bowl or toilet sink.

A Cook's Harmony

The kitchen is a central part of the home.
Where many of our basic needs are met.
With good Feng Shui, you can enhance your kitchen's healthy flow of abundance.

Wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee or the tantalizing whiff of bacon and eggs and chances are, you will be looking forward to the day bright eyed and bushy tailed.

Kitchens are the nucleus of every household. It represents both wealth and health. This may explain why Chinese families boil plenty of water at the start of the day - to ensure a never-ending abundance of the Earth's life force.

"In Feng Shui, each compass direction is associated with an element, "says Cecil Lee, Principal Consultant and founder of GEOMANCY.NET: Center for Applied Feng Shui Research. "In any kitchen, there will always be the interplay of water and fire elements. Ensuring a good balance between yin (water) and yang (fire) will  result in favourable fortune. Upsetting the balance could result in poor health, loss of weath or both."

A key factor to harmony in the kitchen is the location of the stove in relation to the door, sink and window. The metal element, which is common in this area of the home and represented by cooking utensils for example, is often used as a bridge between the water and fire counterparts. So what happens if there are imbalances?

According to Lee, it depends on the severity of the situation, "The solutions can range from the re-orientation of the fridge, moving the stove, using a mirror to renovatng the kitchen."

Comfortable surroundings breed content so it is vital that the person who spends the most time cooking in the kitchen has a conducive environment. Any disturbances could affect the cook's energy and the overall ambience of the home.

Having enough working space is a good start to encourage a steady flow of chi. Practise basic Feng Shui hygience such as keeping the area neat, orderly and clutter free. This can be achieved by having plenty of storage space to put things away. Take note that a refrigerator stocked with fresh foods symbolizes prosperity in the household.

"Make sure you have a well-lit, properly ventilated kitchend and preferably one where the person who is cooking can see the door way," suggests Lee. Airflow ensure that heat and vapours do not permeate the rest of the house. The cook needs to be aware of the presence of visitors or other family members to avoid unwanted surprises. Dangerous situations can present itself in the activity zone of the kitchen when an suspecting cook could accidentally spill extremely hot contents and hurt someone.

More advice

On the location of the kitchen and stove
1. Avoid placement in the North which is associated with the water element: water drowns fire
2. Avoid placement in the Northwest or Heaven's gate as it also represents the head of the household, that is, the father.

On the location of the fridge and sink
1. Avoid placing them next to the stove as this can cause a conflict of water versus fire.

[Cecil Lee]

Copy of the above article

 

 

[Cecil Lee]

Case Study: Avoid Stove facing a Toilet door

1. The layout design was favored by the Singapore Housing Development Board (HDB) during Period 7.

2. If the stove is placed facing the toilet door, it will end up facing the sink.

2.1. In this situation, care should be taken to avoid a clash between the sink tap (water element) and the stove (fire element).

3. It is even less ideal if the toilet bowl directly faces the toilet door, as this is generally considered common sense.

3.1. If the toilet seat is closed, flushing will cause water to flow into the enclosed area and then be pushed out.

3.2. Keeping the WC lid open is also problematic, as tiny droplets from the toilet can be propelled upward instead of spreading out horizontally.

3.3. If the toilet seat directly faces the toilet door, it is actually better to leave the lid open at all times rather than keeping it closed in that position.

[Cecil Lee]

Related: Stove facing Windows

 

[Dre]

My stove is directly across my sink. Can I use a green mat to use as remedy? 

[Cecil Lee]

On 8/16/2020 at 11:08 PM, Dre said:

My stove is directly across my sink. Can I use a green mat to use as remedy? 

1. The idea comes from the practice of placing a piece of timber between the sink and the stove.

2. This is usually not practical in an HDB flat or condo unit because of limited space.

3. Some people even try wearing a green apron or green clothing while cooking, but this is considered ineffective or insignificant.

3.1. Such actions are often seen as superficial solutions.

4. In most households, having the stove positioned opposite the sink is manageable, as many homes have enough space for this layout. In fact, a home can still follow Feng Shui principles even if there are three or more major "leaks."

4.1. For example, if moving the stove or sink isn’t possible or desired, the problem is more closely related to Habit Number 12: Head Banger.

4.2. Other Feng Shui practices, such as FS assessment, repairing issues, and improving energy flow in different areas of the house, act as helpful safeguards.

Reference resource:-

5.1. Last week, I accompanied clients on house-hunting visits to two executive condominiums: Whitewater in Pasir Ris and Chestervale in Bukit Panjang.

5.2. This is a typical Chestervale unit, featuring the original layout with the stove and sink facing each other.

 

5.3. Most of the original owner units in Whitewater EC also have the sink and stove facing each other.

6. Many residents have lived in these units for years. For example, Chestervale reached its T.O.P. in 1999, and many units still retain the original kitchen layout with the stove and sink facing each other.

6.1. Whitewater EC is slightly newer, with its T.O.P. in 2005. I visited two units there last week, and both also have the stove and sink positioned opposite each other.

7. In conclusion, most homes can maintain this kitchen layout without any issues. Having the stove and sink face each other does not necessarily lead to significant problems.

[Cecil Lee]

1. In many cases, larger kitchens cannot fit a full or seamless backsplash mirror.

If this happens, make sure the seams of the tempered glass backsplash mirror do not line up with the stove or sink.

This is shown in the accompanying diagrams.

[Cecil Lee]

Landed property with three storeys (levels):

"Master Lee can I double check the last time we talk at my house there u said cannot have bed above the stove right. Tats for the 2nd floor bedrooms right!!? Doesn’t affect the 3rd floor room right?"

Yes correct

 

[Cecil Lee]

Related:

https://www.geomancy.net/forums/topic/15510-kitchen-feng-shui-in-the-house/

[Cecil Lee]

Related:

 

[Cecil Lee]

Hi Master Lee, can I check with you if dishwasher can be install under the stove area ?

 

Hi Master, can I install it as shown in the photo? The stove and sink will still have a 30cm gap, with the dishwasher positioned between them.


Not perfect but okay

The dishwasher water pipe should not run directly beneath the stove and must be at least 40 cm away from it.

[Cecil Lee]

Hi Cecil, I would like to know if I can make the frosted glass oil spill panel at my cooking stove.  Or the fda grade stainless steel panel will be more suitable.

Reply: No issue = can. But Frosted don’t make sense. As when oil spills onto parts of it.. parts will be shiny?

And when one starts to wipe the oil off..  again streaks of oily and shiny surface. Flawed logic

 

 

[starling00]

hi master.  i have a few question.

1. the main door and stove is not directly opposite. but the main door can see the dining + kitchen. what should i do ? add full height partition wall ?

2. the position of the stove and fridge. is it ok? if not, then what can i do? prefer some work around with minimal renovation. 

Appreciate your advise. Thank you.

 

[Cecil Lee]

On 1/27/2021 at 6:05 PM, starling00 said:

hi master.  i have a few question.

1. the main door and stove is not directly opposite. but the main door can see the dining + kitchen. what should i do ? add full height partition wall ?

2. the position of the stove and fridge. is it ok? if not, then what can i do? prefer some work around with minimal renovation. 

Appreciate your advise. Thank you.

 

 

An easy solution for the kitchen is to use opaque film like this

If something is out of sight, it no longer poses a threat. When something cannot be seen, it is no longer dangerous.

 

[starling00]

thanks for the easy fix! 

But.. can I paste the opaque film lower so I can see my kids when I am cooking in the kitchen? 

[Cecil Lee]

Yes, feel free to do so!

[Cecil Lee]

Typical newer generation > 2002 HDB flat

Hi Cecil just to confirm for my kitchen - either my stove or my basin can put either sides right?

Reply: No. If your unit is not on the top floor, your stove may be directly beneath the waste pipe from the floor above.

 

+++

 

Sample diagram showing what could happen if the stove is placed in this spot in a typical 3, 4, or 5 bedroom flat

 

This does not apply if the unit is on the top floor.

 

+++

 

Because of what was mentioned above I am willing to share my secret recipe with you, but that means I would have to get rid of you. It’s not surprising that food tastes much better when the stove is placed right under a waste pipe

 

That subtle tilt of the head, the closed eyes, and that elegant nose catching the “aroma” of her secret recipe. She’s not just cooking, she’s feeling it.

[panelsg]

is a framed picture of The Last Supper bad to put on a wall opposite kitchen door? 

[Cecil Lee]

On 7/10/2021 at 3:46 PM, panelsg said:

is a framed picture of The Last Supper bad to put on a wall opposite kitchen door? 

Feng Shui does not require detailed management of these matters. However, there are cases where people may meet a Feng Shui Master who includes religious beliefs or uses the practice to promote products. It is important to ask questions and consider their responses carefully.

[Cecil Lee]

Hi Mr Lee, sorry for late msg, is there anything in fengshui that cannot have stove / hob near window?

Reply: Because of common sense = wind vortex if windows are opened. (Flame out) Or the heat may crack the glass.

[Cecil Lee]

Q: Hi master, i intend to overlay my kitchen floor and a friend of my says the kitchen floor cannot be higher than the living room floor due to feng shui and will affect the wife's health. Is that true?
 

Actually more to do with the past. Where live animals were slaughtered and kitchen floor is constantly being washed.

What happens if kitchen floor is higher than living room, then all the cleaning will spill water into the living room area.

Somehow such common sense thing most likely end up as everything .. blame it on bad Feng Shui, lah!

[Cecil Lee]

May I ask if Refrigerator can be place opposite Stove?
 

Okay as it is a metal element.

But if the fridge has a water or ice dispenser, this dispenser unit should not face stove

[Cecil Lee]

Hi Cecil, is it ok if we swap the stove and sink position?

( If this is not the highest floor)
Check to see if waste pipe of the upper units = neighbour’s are not above the new stove position if not if not then ok

[Cecil Lee]

Interesting....

Source & Credit

THE INSIDERS

Nobody Wants an Open Kitchen, Says Washington, D.C. Architect

By adding walls, pocket doors and butler’s pantries to kitchens, Nicholas Potts prioritizes moments of peace at home

Source and Credit: BY REBECCA BRATBURD, ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON APRIL 18, 2022 
MANSION GLOBAL

Extract:

We apologize for the incomplete photos. We refrained from capturing everything to avoid potential copyright infringement.

He found that consciously sealing the kitchen off from the living room with a door and a wall made a noticeable impact. Separating the rooms made each feel properly proportioned. The living room, now more cocoon-like, was easier to furnish. Thus, what’s old is new again.

“Maybe it’s a post-pandemic thing, but nobody wants an open kitchen,” Mr. Potts said. “They want light and spaciousness, but no one wants a mess. It’s more calming, frankly, to have definition and to be able to remove yourself from a room where somebody might be on a video conference, or where you just made lunch but don’t want to do the dishes yet.”

[Cecil Lee]

The infrastructure for the HDB Kitchen Sink, including water pipes and waste pipes, can be found in this area.

This results in various Feng Shui related issues.

1. The front door faces the stove.
2. The front door faces the sink.
3. It is not recommended for the stove to be directly opposite the sink.

4. The refrigerator should not be placed directly opposite the stove if it has a water or ice dispenser.

5. Having the sink and stove on opposite sides is not only discouraged by Feng Shui principles, but it is also impractical. This arrangement requires carrying hot utensils across the kitchen after cooking, which can be inconvenient and potentially unsafe.

OPTIONS A TO C

1. The kitchen sink infrastructure at Tampines GreenCourt, a new HDB estate, is situated within Options A to C.

OPTIONS D TO G

1.1.It can be quite challenging to move the sink, particularly the waste pipe, to the opposite wall as illustrated in Options D to G.

 

Master, I have thought of 7 layouts and the follow up questions. Could you please advice on the best layout please?

1st choice = D
2nd choice =G

if somehow there is a miracle than B is the alternative over D and G. No issue with fridge face door. But if it is a door door fridge; must avoid a water /ice dispenser if any facing part of the stove or oven.

 

RESOURCES