Designing a Vastu-compliant Home
A traditional Indian home is far more than a shelter — it is a Yantra (instrument) that channels positive energy, harmonises the inhabitants with cosmic rhythms, and supports their dharma. Vastu specifies precise prescriptions for every room, every door, every window.
Basic Site Selection (Bhumi Pariksha)
Auspicious land features:
- Square or rectangular plot, length:breadth ratio between 1:1 and 1:2
- Slope from south-west (high) to north-east (low)
- Water body to the north or east
- Soil that is sweet-smelling, firm, with good vegetation
Inauspicious features:
- Triangular or irregularly shaped plots
- Plots cut-off in the north-east corner
- T-junction roads pointing at the house
- Cemeteries, hospitals, ruins nearby
The Nine-Square (Brahma-Sthana) Grid
A typical home is laid out on a 3×3 grid:
┌──────────────┬──────────────┬──────────────┐
│ NW │ N │ NE │
│ Bedroom / │ Treasury / │ Pooja / │
│ Toilet │ Living │ Meditation │
│ │ │ Water-tank │
├──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┤
│ W │ CENTRE │ E │
│ Dining / │ BRAHMA │ Entrance / │
│ Children │ (open │ Study │
│ │ courtyard) │ │
├──────────────┼──────────────┼──────────────┤
│ SW │ S │ SE │
│ Master │ Heavy │ Kitchen │
│ Bedroom │ Storage │ (fire) │
│ │ │ │
└──────────────┴──────────────┴──────────────┘Room-by-Room Prescriptions
1. Main Entrance (Dwara)
- Best: East, North, or North-East
- Door height : width ≈ 2 : 1 (golden ratio)
- Open inward, into the house (welcoming)
- Avoid: South-West entrance (drains energy)
2. Pooja Room (Worship)
- Location: North-East corner
- Idols face East or West; worshipper faces East
- Should be raised slightly above floor level
- Never under a staircase or beside a toilet
3. Kitchen
- Location: South-East (Agni — fire)
- Cook facing East
- Sink and stove should not be adjacent (water vs fire conflict)
- Refrigerator: South-West corner
4. Master Bedroom
- Location: South-West (stability)
- Bed positioned so that head points South or East while sleeping
- Avoid mirrors directly facing the bed
- Heavy furniture along south & west walls
5. Children's Room
- Location: West or North-West
- Study desk facing East or North
- Avoid bunk beds where lower bed is below the upper
6. Bathroom / Toilet
- Location: West or North-West (never North-East)
- Toilet seat: User faces North or South (not East/West)
- Should not share wall with pooja or kitchen
7. Staircase
- Should rise from North → South or East → West (clockwise)
- Avoid in the centre (Brahma Sthana)
- Number of steps: odd
8. Open Space (Brahma Sthana)
- The centre of the house must remain unobstructed.
- Traditionally an open courtyard (aangan) with a tulsi plant.
- In modern apartments, kept clutter-free, never with heavy furniture.
Doors and Windows
| Element | Rule |
|---|---|
| Main door | Largest of all doors in the house |
| Total doors | Even number preferred |
| Door materials | Wood (best); avoid metal for main entry |
| Threshold | Slightly raised, decorated |
| Windows | More on East/North walls than South/West |
Furniture Placement
- Cot: South-west corner of bedroom; head south or east.
- Sofa: Along south or west wall in living room.
- Dining table: West or North-West; rectangular or oval (avoid round/triangular).
- Wardrobe: South-west corner; mirror inside, not facing bed.
- Cash locker: North wall, with door opening toward North.
Colour Recommendations
| Room | Recommended Colours |
|---|---|
| Pooja | White, light yellow, gold |
| Bedroom | Light blue, pink, green |
| Kitchen | Yellow, orange, red |
| Living room | Cream, beige, pastels |
| Children's | Bright pastels, blues, greens |
Plants and Water
- Tulsi (Holy Basil) in north-east → spiritual & medicinal benefit.
- Money plant in south-east → prosperity.
- Water features (fountain, aquarium) in north or east, never south.
Modern Vastu Application
In contemporary urban apartments, full Vastu compliance is rarely possible — but key principles still apply:
- Maintain north-east light and openness.
- Place kitchen toward south-east when possible.
- Keep the centre of the home clean and clutter-free.
- Use mirrors and lights creatively to redirect energy in non-ideal layouts.