Kitchen knife Feng Shui: experts have these warnings

Storing this kitchen essential incorrectly is thought to throw off the energy of your home. Here's how to get it right

When it comes to Feng Shui, even the smallest of home items are thought to hold significant power over the flow of energy throughout your space. You may not be surprised to learn, then, that something as small – and as essential – as your kitchen knives could be disrupting the positive Chi in your home.

Getting kitchen Feng Shui right is often harder than in the rest of the home as appliance connections and kitchen floor plans dictate your kitchen layout, so focusing on smaller elements such as utensils is one of the ways you can increase the positive energy of the space.

Here is why kitchen knives are such a contentious Feng Shui item, and how you can restore positive energy in your space

If you are hoping to achieve good Feng Shui in your home, then avoiding sharp or pointed edges is essential. From avoiding negative Feng Shui plants such as snake plants to opting for smooth and rounded lighting ideas, sharp points are thought to direct sharp, negative energies.

When it comes to your best kitchen knives, it is not just their appearance but their threatening aura that makes them a negative Feng Shui item to have in your home. This means they are best secured in kitchen storage such as drawers or cabinets.

‘When there are sharp edges, sharp wall angles, and even sharp-edged objects (like knives) in the home, it creates what is referred to in Feng Shui as "poison arrows". These arrows direct energy wherever they point. And while we can't "detect" this chi with our everyday sensibilities, we will often have a low-level sense we’re in the direct path of something that feels "off",’ explains Feng Shui practitioner Amanda Gibby Peters of SimplyShui.

‘Since kitchens are often referred to as the seat of health and are located in the wealth corner, we typically would prefer to not have this "cutting" chi in the mix. I often ask my clients to pay attention to any "hot spots" in the kitchen where arguments or disagreements happen (if they do). Attacking Chi in these spots could be making any disagreement or arguments feel abrasive, sharp-tongued, or even piercing.

'They could also be contributing to financial and/or personal health challenges. So, if I notice there are knives out on the counter, we will either move them into a drawer or relocate the knives to a less busy spot in the kitchen,' she explains.

Amanda Gibby Peters is a Feng Shui practitioner and the founder of Simple Shui™ – a modern-day, mission-driven, love-based practice of Feng Shui. She's been teaching Feng Shui techniques for nearly two decades, witnessing the breathtaking life transformations of her readers and clients. She is Dallas-based with an international clientele.

‘When I see knives in a block on the kitchen countertops, the first thing I ask is whether arguments, disagreement, and tension occur regularly in the space,’ interiors therapy and Feng Shui consultant Suzanne Roynon of Interiors Therapy concurs. 'My suspicions are accurate in more than 95% of cases and when I go on to describe the potential pitfalls in both Feng Shui and practical terms, most of my clients quickly move knives to safety elsewhere rather than continue to use a visible option.

‘From a Feng Shui perspective, the presence of sharp implements in any room is likely to create a tense, cutting atmosphere which can quickly become volatile,’ Suzanne continues. ‘This would similarly apply to displays of swords and knives which became popular for fans of Game of Thrones.

'Living with a stressful emotional undercurrent can cause tiredness and exhaustion. Occupants feel drained and on edge without understanding why and this has a significantly detrimental impact on relationships,' Suzanne continues. 'Ironically, this often describes the situation in homes where a dominant partner insists on keeping knives immediately to hand despite the wishes of the person who actually does the bulk of the cooking!’

For Roynon, however, one of the most important reasons for keeping knives safely in kitchen organizers in drawers or cupboards is to protect the occupants of the home. ‘This isn't just about arguments getting out of hand or small children being hurt,' she says, 'it's also to prevent escalation in the event of a burglary or intrusion.

'Why on earth would you weaponize your own kitchen? If an intruder believes they are at risk, the first thing they will do is grab something to defend themselves with – and the easiest thing is often a knife from the handy block in the kitchen!’

Suzanne is a specialist Interiors Therapy Expert and author of Welcome Home, How Stuff Makes or Breaks your Relationship – available on Amazon. She has spent more than 25 years in corporate and charity roles, using her ability as a therapist and public speaker to help people understand their relationship with their homes and possessions.

When organizing a kitchen with Feng Shui in mind, it is best to start with hiding away any items, like knives, that are thought to inject negative Chi into the space.

‘When storing kitchen knives for good Feng Shui, you should aim to keep them within an enclosed space such as a kitchen drawer in a dedicated organizer,’ begins Keng-Fu Lo, one of the most sought-after architects in Taiwan, and founder and managing director of the Chain10. ‘I strongly suggest they should be put in the drawers or a knife block if necessary, specifically with the knife point facing the wall,’ he adds. ‘It will easily trigger arguments and be dangerous when storing knives on the side or hanging them on the wall, leading to harm or tragedy.

‘We can also avoid accidents by leaving the knives stored in the right place – the kitchen!’ he adds.

Our favorite knife storage solutions are just below.

Ken Lo is a well-known architect operating a boutique firm in the south of Taiwan. While having no formal training in architecture, in a relatively short time he has managed to assemble an impressive array of projects that have won numerous awards. Most recently he has been shortlisted for the Inside World Festival of Interiors.

Safely store knives and make the most of kitchen space with our compact drawer organizer.

While other knife storage blocks limit you to a certain number of knives using pre-sized slots, this Knife Dock can hold nearly any size knife.

Handmade from birch, these tiered flatware trays fit neatly inside kitchen drawers to house silverware on top and organize larger utensils on the bottom.

Aside from weaponizing your kitchen and causing negative Chi, countertop knife blocks can also harbor bacteria.

‘In practical terms, wooden knife blocks especially are incredibly difficult to clean and even with plastic or rubber versions, slots can harbor dust, dead insects, and bacteria which then transfer onto food from the blade,’ reminds interiors therapy and Feng Shui consultant, Suzanne Roynon.

‘So what is the solution? Kitchen designers now include secure knife storage solutions within new kitchen ranges which are both beautiful and practical for the most discerning chef. Drawer inserts which protect the blade and point of a knife are available for most size drawers, although do check drawer depth before ordering.’

If you struggle with small kitchen storage, and keeping a knife block on organized kitchen countertops is your only option, then there are some ways around the issue Suzanne assures. ‘If you must have a knife block, choose one which can be deep cleaned and has anti-bacterial properties,’ Suzanne continues.

‘Rather than keeping it on display, store it in a cupboard out of reach of small children and bring it out only whilst cooking. In this way, you minimize the risk of both blade contamination and non-accidental injury, and enjoy an extra bonus, because keeping kitchen counters clear will promote calmer and more organized thoughts whenever you are in the room.’

The three safest places to store knives are in a knife block, in a kitchen drawer, or on a magnetic knife strip. Although all three are practical, storing knives in the kitchen drawer is considered the safest option to help prevent accidents and keep them clean. In terms of Feng Shui, a kitchen drawer or knife block that's stored inside a cabinet are preferable.

It is generally considered unlucky to give someone knives as a gift. Stemming from folklore, it is thought that giving somebody a sharp or pointed object as a gift is a symbol of cutting ties with them, foreboding the ruin of your relationship.

Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for six months, having started her journey in interior journalism as part of the graduate program. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips – many of which she tests and reviews herself in her home in Lancaster to ensure they will consistently deliver for her readers and dabbles in the latest design trends. She also has a first-class degree in Literature from Lancaster University.

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