6 Things Feng Shui Experts Avoid In The Kitchen

Last updated on November 12th, 2025

Your kitchen isn’t just a place to cook — it’s the heart of your home. In Feng Shui, it symbolizes prosperity, nourishment, and well-being. But certain common habits can unknowingly block that positive flow of energy (or chi), leaving your space feeling heavy or chaotic.

Here are six things Feng Shui experts suggest you keep out of your kitchen — and a few simple tweaks to restore calm, clarity, and good vibes.

Knives on the Counter

Sharp objects like knives represent cutting energy — literally and symbolically. Leaving them out in plain sight can create tension in a space that should feel nurturing.

Feng Shui fix: Store knives safely inside drawers or on a magnetic strip tucked out of view. You’ll still have easy access but without that visual “sharpness” in the room. A clutter-free counter immediately feels calmer and safer.

Dead or Dried Flowers

In Feng Shui, fresh plants and flowers symbolize life energy and growth. Dead or dried ones, however, represent stagnation — the exact opposite of what you want in your kitchen. They can make the space feel drained or dull.

Feng Shui fix: Replace dried flowers with fresh herbs, green foliage, or blooming plants like basil, mint, or peace lilies. Living greenery restores movement, vitality, and a sense of flow.

Broken or Chipped Items

Cracked plates, chipped mugs, or half-working appliances may seem harmless, but in Feng Shui, they represent blocked abundance and neglect. Using damaged objects is believed to weaken the energy of prosperity.

Feng Shui fix: Repair what you can or let it go with gratitude. Invest in items that feel cared for and complete — even small swaps, like replacing an old mug, can shift the kitchen’s energy instantly.

Items Stored on Top of Cabinets

That gap between your kitchen cabinets and ceiling may seem like the perfect place for spare boxes, but it’s actually a Feng Shui no-no. Clutter above your head creates stagnant, heavy energy that can weigh down the entire room.

Feng Shui fix: Clear the top of cabinets completely. If you can’t, use that space for light, airy décor — perhaps a few small plants or gentle, upward-facing lighting to keep the energy moving.

Overflowing Trash or Recycling

Garbage represents waste and stuck energy — and when it piles up, it drags your mood down with it. Overflowing trash near the stove (the symbol of wealth) is especially discouraged in Feng Shui, as it’s believed to drain abundance.

Feng Shui fix: Empty bins regularly and keep lids closed. Choose a discreet, well-fitted trash can and clean the area around it weekly. Add a few drops of essential oil nearby to maintain freshness and flow.

Cluttered Counters

The kitchen counter is your space of creation — it’s where energy moves, meals are made, and abundance flows. A cluttered surface blocks that movement, both practically and symbolically.

Feng Shui fix: Keep only what you use daily — like a kettle, cutting board, or fruit bowl. Store the rest in cabinets or baskets. Clear counters not only make cooking easier but also let good energy circulate freely.

Clean Space, Clear Energy

You don’t need to be a Feng Shui expert to feel the difference a clean, open kitchen makes. When light, air, and order flow freely, your space supports you — not the other way around.

So, take a few minutes to put away the clutter, replace the broken, and breathe new life into your kitchen. Because when your kitchen feels calm, so does everything else around you.

That’s harmony — and that’s HomeBliss.