Here’s the easy feng shui guide to your best kitchen colors
In feng shui, the best choice of colors is defined by the location of your kitchen. The location is determined by the so-called bagua, or feng shui energy map. There are two ways of defining the bagua, which often leads to confusion, especially if one is trying to apply both at the same time.
One of the secrets to good feng shui is to work with one bagua style instead of trying to apply both. So you either work with the classical bagua, or with the BTB/Western bagua. Many feng shui cures are the same in both schools, and this applies to the best choice of colors.
As a reminder, when you work with the classical feng shui bagua, you need to know the compass direction of your kitchen. One way to easily define is to take the compass reading while standing in the center of your home. When you work with the BTB/Western bagua, you are working with a simple nine square grid that is superimposed over your floor plan.
If you are new to feng shui, I have videos on how to define each bagua:
Classical Feng Shui Bagua | BTB/Western Feng Shui Bagua
Now let’s look into our easy feng shui guide to best kitchen colors, which includes both bagua styles: Classical and BTB/Western.
It also includes colors that is best to avoid in each kitchen.
Let’s start.
South Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Fame & Reputation (also called Light Within)
Classical Bagua location: 157.5°-202.5°
BTB Bagua location: Top Row Center
This is one of the most auspicious kitchen locations in feng shui as it works very well with the Fire feng shui element energy of the area. If you have a kitchen in the South, you can go wild with all sorts of fiery colors, from bright red to intense yellow or sun-kissed orange. You can also use a variety of Wood feng shui element colors such as green and brown.
Colors to avoid (in big proportions) are blue and black colors.
Southwest Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Love Relationships & Marriage
Classical Bagua location: 202.5°-247.5°
BTB Bagua location: Top Row Right
If you have a kitchen in the Southwest area, you are also in luck! Fire element of the kitchen is nourishing the Earth element of this bagua area, so you can also go wild with fiery colors if you so desire, from bright red to yellow to orange and purple (even pink). Earth element colors and decor items are excellent here, too. Colors to avoid (in strong proportions) in a Southwest bagua area kitchen are white, gray, blue, and black.
West Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Children & Creativity
Classical Bagua location: 247.5°-292.5°
BTB Bagua location: Mid Row Right
Feng shui-wise, a kitchen in the West bagua area requires some care and attention, as the Fire element of the kitchen can weaken the Metal element energy of this area. Avoid many Fire element colors (for example, a red wall color will not be a good choice here), and focus on strong Earth feng shui element decor (earthy colors, pottery, square shape items, etc). Excellent for a West area kitchen are fresh white, clean grays and warm earthy colors.
Northwest Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Helpful People & Blessings
Classical Bagua location: 292.5°-337.5°
BTB bagua location: Lower Row Right
A kitchen in the Northwest bagua area needs the same exact treatment as a kitchen in the West, as they both share the same feng shui element (Metal). So, have an abundance of warm earthy colors, as well as crisp whites and fresh grays. Avoid Fire and Water element colors (check the five feng shui elements article for specific visuals).
North Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Career & Path in Life
Classical Bagua location: 337.5°-22.5°
BTB Bagua location: Lower Row Center
If you have a kitchen in the North bagua area, you will have to juggle the fine art of feng shui color balancing – you want to keep the Water element of this area happy by providing best colors and decor for it – blue, black, gray and white colors; and, at the same time, you want to keep the Fire element energy of the kitchen strong and healthy.
Find a good visual balance between the Fire and the Water element colors with the emphasis being on Water and Metal colors, which are blue, black, gray and white colors. Metal feng shui element is usually an excellent balancing point for a North bagua area kitchen in both its colors – white and gray – as well as in actual items made from metal.
Northeast Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Spiritual Growth & Cultivation
Classical Bagua location: 22.5°-67.5°
BTB Bagua location: Lower Row Left
A kitchen in the Northeast area is as easy to work with as a kitchen in Southwest area, as they both share the same Earth element. So, feel free to have as many fiery colors as you want – from bright red to vibrant yellow and, of course, bring an abundance of Earth element decor and colors, too. Avoid a strong presence of black, blue, white and gray colors.
East Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Health & Family
Classical Bagua location: 67.5°-112.5°
BTB Bagua location: Mid Row Left
A bit of care is good for an East area kitchen, because too much Fire or Metal element colors can damage the Wood element energy of this bagua area. Do your best to avoid too many Fire element colors here, and focus on Earth feng shui element. Green and brown colors are excellent for the East area kitchen, and so are light blue accents (Water element). Avoid a predominantly white color scheme for a kitchen in the East bagua area.
Southeast Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Wealth & Money
Classical Bagua location: 112.5°-157.5°
BTB Bagua location: Top Row Left
A Southeast area kitchen requires the same attention as the one in the East as they both share the same element – Wood. This means adding as many Wood element decor items and colors as your heart desires, as well as bringing touches of light blue. Avoid too many red color accents (Fire element) or a predominantly stark white color (Metal element) in your Southeast kitchen. Display an abundance of fruits and vegetables, fresh herbs, flowers to support the vibrant energy of wealth, as this is the main money area of your home.
Center Area Kitchen
Bagua Area Name:
Heart of the Home/Yin Yang
Classical Bagua location: Center
BTB Bagua location: Center
A Center area kitchen needs the same feng shui energy as a kitchen in the Southwest and Northeast areas; they all share the Earth element. Fire element is very supportive for the Earth element, so it is easy to create good feng shui when your kitchen is in the center of your home. Decorate it with either Fire or Earth element colors and try to limit the colors of both Metal element (white and gray) and Water element (blue and black).
So there you have it, the easy feng shui guide to choosing best colors for your kitchen. I trust it helps you create a harmonious and happy kitchen.
Read: How To Choose Best Colors For Your Bedroom
image via @home_decor_daily
