The kitchen in a home, is the source where food that nourishes the inhabitants of the home, is cooked. We look at some Vastu dos and don’ts for this crucial area of the house
The kitchen, today, is the hub of activity in a modern home. Kitchens are well-designed areas with the latest gadgets, where family members are seen cooking, bonding together and even socialising with friends and family. Vastu Shastra, which advocates the design and construction of buildings in harmony with the natural laws of the universe, has several guidelines for the kitchen, so that the home has the right kind of energy and positivity. The atmosphere in the kitchen is very important, for the occupant’s health and other benefits, says Vastu Shastra and astrology expert, Jayshree Dhamani.
Ideal directions and décor for the kitchen, as per Vastu
According to Vastu, one’s home should have a proper balance of the elements of earth, sky, air, fire and water. “Fire or ‘agni devta’, is associated with the Sun, which symbolises energy and strength. As per Vastu, the placement of fire sources should be in the south-east direction. So, the kitchen should be in the south-east corner of the house and one should face east while cooking. West is an alternate neutral direction to face, while cooking. The sink should ideally be placed in the north-west zone of the kitchen. Place the water pots and water purifier in the north-east side,” says Mumbai-based Nitien Parmar of VastuPlus.
A clean, spacious and clutter-free kitchen is a must for good health and prosperity. The kitchen must have windows and be airy and have enough light. In order to avoid clutter and have ample space while cooking, the design of the kitchen should be minimal, with clean, simple lines. Storage space, as far as possible, should be on the west and south walls of the kitchen.
Vastu for the dining area
It is not the kitchen alone that matters; even the dining area should be done as per Vastu Shastra. “The dining table should not be below a toilet on the upper floor. Dining tables should preferably be in the shape of a square or a rectangle, as they stand for stability. Avoid round or oval dining tables. Lights create positive energy. So, the dining area should not be dark. Keep a mirror near the dining table wall, as a mirror reflects and thereby, doubles the food visible, which represents abundance and wealth,” says Parmar.
Vastu-compliant colours for the kitchen
Ideal colours recommended for the kitchen are green, lemon yellow and orange as these represent nourishing colours and colours of fire. Avoid using black, grey and blue colours in the kitchen. “In case one cannot have a separate pooja room, one can have a temple in the kitchen, in the north/east corner, provided one cooks vegetarian food. If non-vegetarian food is cooked, then, it is better not to keep a temple in the kitchen,” concludes Dhamani.
Vastu Shastra dos and don’ts for the kitchen
- Do not keep medicines in the kitchen.
- Regularly clean the kitchen. Mop the floor thoroughly and discard all unwanted things. Never keep chipped or broken cups, dishes or pans.
- Avoid keeping waste material, like old newspapers rags and unwanted items, in the kitchen.
- Keep a tulsi, pudina, bamboo or any herbal plant in the kitchen window area. Avoid thorny plants, as these give rise to tensions in the environment.
- A well-organised and a neat kitchen, not only helps one to cook with ease, but also creates a positive vibe.
- Keep the burners of the kitchen stove clean, as this ensures smooth flow of cash in a household.
