Expert-approved Ayurvedic Kitchen Design Tips for Optimal Wellbeing

By: Naveera Perera

@Pinterest/Kaleidoscope Kitchen

Boost your energy levels.

The 5000 year old science of ayurveda speaks of many natural secrets, allowing you to tap into as much of the positive energy from the universe as possible.

While ayurveda is famous for its recommended nutritional tips and lifestyle routines according to each dosha, it also offers sacred insights into the ancient Indian architectural science that “guides the orientation, layout, and placement of elements within a space to optimise positive energy flow and enhance well-being”. Also known as Vaastu Shastra, this is only one of the components ayurveda takes into account when assessing what interior designs can help you to attract the best energy.

So if your interior design includes dosha-friendly colours and furniture and they have been placed according to ayurvedic principles the energy flow of your home can be balanced and keep all natural elements in harmony. Together, this increases the chances of you attracting prosperity and good fortune.

One integral part of the household that benefits most from Vaastu Shastra is the kitchen. To demystify the architectural science behind ideating a dosha-friendly ayurvedic kitchen design we spoke to Dr. Gihani Weerasekara. 

Dr. Gihani Weerasekara is a registered ayurvedic doctor at Siddhalepa Ayurveda in Sri Lanka, a renowned

ayurvedic company who own ayurvedic hospitals and spas.

Weerasekara has completed her BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery) at the University of Colombo, a diploma in Ayurvedic Panchakarma and a certificate in Herbal Cosmetology.

The Ayurvedic Approach to Kitchen Design and Organisation

In Sanskrit, ‘Vaastu’ translates to “the science of structures”. It acts in conjunction with Ayurveda which is “the science of life” and Jyotish which refers to astrology. The underlying rationale in the science of Vaastu is widely accepted even in Western science as Albert Einstein noted that “every sentient or non-sentient thing in existence is ultimately made up of a field of energy”, also known as prana. This means every piece of furniture, ornament or  material holds a form of energy. 

However, Vaastu Shastra holds a special place within concepts on architectural energy as it considers multiple factors when deciding the significance of certain elements or placements, all the while relying on science. At the crux of this concept is that every placement or items in the kitchen leads to a domino effect. 

This means if you make an effort to construct an ayurvedic kitchen design inclusive of dosha-friendly contents, it can positively impact your overall diet, as the energy of your kitchen influences the way you prepare your meals. This extends to the kind of utensils and cooking apparatus you use in the kitchen, how well stocked your pantry is and the type of nourishing foods purchased. Simply put, ayurvedic principles for kitchen design indicates that every kitchen tells us a story based on how they are organised - whether it's how often a person cooks, eats and the type of food they prefer.

You will know that your kitchen complements the principles of vaastu shastra when your  ayurvedic doshas and kitchen design are in sync. There are three doshas, known as the tridoshas. Made of the five natural elements, they include vatta (air and space), pitta (fire and water) and kapha (earth and water). While either one or two of these doshas will typically play a more dominant role in your body, ayurvedic wellbeing can only be achieved when all three doshas are balanced. 

Expert Approved Tips to Energise Your Ayurvedic Kitchen

Whether you have a U or L shaped kitchen, a gallery kitchen or island kitchen, take the time and care to incorporate as many of the below ayurvedic kitchen organisation tips to allow the free flow of energy in the kitchen. 

Every placement should have a purpose 

The placement of your kitchen and everything in it holds quite a lot of significance as they hold meaning. On the one hand, Weerasekara highlights that “your kitchen should be situated at the southeast corner of your house as it invites positive energy”.  

On the other hand, your ayurvedic kitchen workflow should prioritise the accessibility of your cookware, and other utensils such as your knives when thinking of their placement. It is also beneficial to have an exclusive space for your spice cabinet or rack, which should ideally be meticulously organised with labels so as to keep everything in order. Particular attention should also be paid to the placement of oils such as olive oil, coconut oil and ghee which need to be placed in a dark and cool place to retain its healing properties. 

Sunlight is a big plus 

In urban cities, many new-buildapartments tend not to have a window but sunlight is important in a kitchen. Weerasekara emphasised that you should “Ensure your kitchen receives plenty of natural light as sunlight promotes vitality and enhances your cooking experience”. When ventilation enters the kitchen it ensures that your kitchen space is not too congested from the smoke or indoor air pollutants that are released while cooking. Hence, you should incorporate as much natural light into your ayurvedic kitchen design. 

Avoid over-stimulating colours  

A kitchen is meant to emulate a sense of calmness and functionality. For once, all doshas are in agreement on the ayurvedic kitchen colours.  

Weerasekara advises to paint everything from the walls to pantry cupboards to “colours with warm earth tones such as white, beige, and soft yellows”. 

She further stated that you should “avoid bright shades of reds and other overly stimulating colours” as it may feel quite overwhelming and chaotic. 

Reduce the number of utensils 

Cleanliness and organisation is key to feeling at ease in the kitchen. Hence, Weerasekara, highly encourages you to “declutter your kitchen utensils” so as to keep the space neat and tidy at all times. 

Utensils in this context not only refer to reducing the number of electronic items like toasters, pressure cookers, waffle makers and other equipment on top of the counter. It also extends to letting go of the many “measuring utensils and trusting your intuition and innate wisdom more when cooking”. 

Even where you are storing utensils in cupboards, ensuring they are stored in an organised manner is pivotal. 

Use cookware made from natural materials 

Weerasekara advises you to “opt for ayurvedic cookware made from natural materials like wood, clay, and stone”. 

Yes, we know they are not dishwasher friendly but cooking in natural materials has a host of benefits. 

For one thing, natural materials such as clay cookware maintains the integrity of food and promotes the healing qualities of the food you intake. Moreover, as clay cookware is made with the earth element it grounds your foods with rich minerals. 

One way to incorporate clay cookware is by simply using a mortar pestle which can be used to grind spices, ginger, cloves and fresh herbs. Aesthetically, this can also support your vision for  sustainable kitchen design. 

Ayurvedic Kitchen Staples that Promote Positive Energy 

“Ayurveda places great importance on spices for its flavour, nutritional density, and health benefits” says Weerasekara. If you are finding it hard to narrow down your list of best spices for energy in ayurveda, Weerasekara recommends the following spices to be fully stocked at your ayurvedic spice rack at all times: 

Turmeric for a Healthy Immune System 

Turmeric is known for its vibrant golden colour, turmeric contains curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and acts as an antioxidant. It supports digestion, promotes healthy skin, and boosts the immune system. 

One easy way to add it into your lifestyle is by inserting a tablespoon of turmeric into your first glass of warm water every morning. Alternatively, consider having a cup of haldi milk or a turmeric tea infused with some ginger in the morning or as part of your evening tea. A turmeric pickle is also a great option for a healthy side dish for your meals. 

Cinnamon for Warmth

This is an excellent spice to add for fall and winter dishes, as the sweet, pungent, and astringent taste of cinnamon warms up your body. It particularly helps to stimulate digestion, balance blood sugar, and improves circulation. 

Consider adding a sprinkle of cinnamon to your breakfast oats or any kind of soup or curry. 

Cumin to Enhance Metabolism 

Cumin is popularly used in many dishes of Indian cuisine making it one of the most must-have ingredients that need to be in your ayurvedic spice rack. In addition to the boost of flavour it gives, cumin also aids digestion, enhances metabolism and helps prevent digestive disorders like gas and bloating. 

From adding it into whole dishes like an Ayurvedic Kitchari, you can use it in curries and side dishes like roasted cumin beets and other ayurvedic foods for energy. Even a simple cup of cumin tea or takra (buttermilk) can do wonders to your body. 

Coriander for Cooling 

Cooling in nature, coriander seeds are great for digestion. They are commonly used in spice blends and add a citrusy flavour to dishes. You can make coriander chutney or add it to your healthy dip of Mint Raita. Alternatively, a cup of ayurveda’s miracle tea, which infuses coriander, cumin and fennel stimulates the lymphatic system while being an excellent addition for anyone who needs help with improving nutrient absorption levels in their bodies. 

Fennel to Promote Digestion 

Fennel seeds have a sweet taste, and are popularly known to help with digestion, freshen your breath and soothe the stomach. There are multiple teas that integrate fennel seeds. From Fenugreek & Fennel Tea to Fennel & Cardamom Tea, take your pick based on what works for you best.  For anyone on the go, a quick and easy energy-boosting recipe is to bake half a cup of fennel seeds with raw fennel seeds and pop them in like a tic-tac.