Vastu at a Glance
Essential Vastu Shastra principles for selecting a plot, planning a home, positioning rooms, entrances, water, ventilation and other important elements of a harmonious living environment.
Vastu Shastra at a Glance – Essential Vastu Rules
Vastu Shastra is an ancient traditional system concerned with different types of structures and their relationship with directions, land, surroundings and the occupants. Traditional Vastu considerations can include the selection of a suitable country and city, direction, plot, soil and the planning of the structure itself.
For a person who is new to Vastu, the number of rules can sometimes make the subject difficult to understand and apply. This Vastu at a Glance guide therefore brings together important traditional norms relating to the principal components of a house in one place.
The original Astroshastra material also emphasises that the construction of a house should be considered together with the horoscope of the native and an auspicious astrological time. Astrological remedial measures may also form part of the broader traditional approach.
Vastu Guidelines for Bedrooms
Traditional bedroom placement and sleeping directionsBedroom Vastu
- The original source considers the South direction suitable for the owner's bedroom.
- It recommends keeping the head towards the South while sleeping.
- A bedroom for a couple may be provided in the West or North according to the source.
- The master bedroom may be provided in the South-West for the father or eldest son.
- The cot is recommended in the South-West portion of the room without touching the wall.
Dining, Living and Drawing Room Vastu
Traditional placement of common living spacesDining Room
- East or South-East, adjoining the kitchen, is described as a beneficial position.
- The dining area may also be provided in the West of the kitchen with entrance from the East.
- The source recommends facing East while eating.
- A rectangular dining table is recommended.
- A wash basin may be provided in East or North.
Living Room
- North-East, North or East are described as suitable locations.
- The door may be provided towards East or North-East.
- Keep sufficient vacant space in North and East.
- Heavy furniture can be kept towards South or West.
Drawing Room
- East is described as a beneficial position.
- It may face the main gate.
- Family members may face East while sitting.
- Drinking water may be kept in the North-East.
Vastu for Children and Study Areas
Children's Room
- North is described as a beneficial position.
- The source recommends facing East while sleeping, with the head towards West.
- Cots should not touch the walls.
- Study tables may face East or North.
- East or North-East doors and windows are recommended.
- Green or yellow lighting is described as beneficial.
Study Room
- North or North-East is described as beneficial.
- Drinking water facilities may be provided in this direction.
- The source recommends keeping drinking water in the direction while studying or making decisions.
- North-West is described as unsuitable for a study room in the original material.
Puja Room and Placement of Gods
Traditional Vastu guidance for a sacred spacePuja Room Vastu
- North-East is described as the most beneficial location for the Puja room and is associated with Jupiter.
- The source recommends positioning deities so they face East or West.
- The Puja room may also be placed towards the North while facing East or West.
- South-East and South-West are described as unsuitable locations for the Puja room.
- The Brahm Sthana may be used for larger religious activities.
Kitchen Vastu
Fire element, cooking direction and kitchen placementTraditional Kitchen Guidelines
- South-East is described as the most beneficial position for the kitchen.
- The source associates this direction with Venus.
- The kitchen platform may be provided towards East.
- If the kitchen cannot be placed in South-East, the source recommends a sink in the North-East corner.
- Cooking while facing East is described as beneficial.
- The original source specifically advises against providing a kitchen or kitchen platform in the South direction.
Vastu for Cash, Valuables and Finances
North Direction and Wealth
The original Vastu material recommends keeping a safe or similar storage unit towards the North while facing South. It also recommends facing North while handling documents, cash and valuables.
The source associates the North direction with Kuber, traditionally regarded as the deity of wealth.
Vastu for Wells, Bore Wells and Water Tanks
Traditional water-placement guidelinesUnderground Water
- North or North-East is described as beneficial for a well, storage tank or bore well.
- The source advises reviewing water structures placed in other directions.
- South-East, South and South-West are specifically mentioned as directions where wells or bore wells should be avoided.
Overhead Water Tank
- South-West is described as the most beneficial position.
- South or West may be considered where necessary.
- The source advises against North, East, South-East and North-East for an overhead tank.
Bathroom and Toilet Vastu
Toilet
- North-West and South-West are described as suitable positions in the original material.
- East, North and North-East are specifically mentioned as directions to avoid for toilets.
Bathroom
- East and North are described as beneficial positions.
- Where a bathroom is located elsewhere, the source recommends facing East or North while bathing.
- A good window is recommended for ventilation.
Vastu for Storage Areas
Old Goods
South-West is described as the most beneficial position for a store room for old goods. The source associates this direction with Rahu.
Grains
West is described as a suitable direction for grain storage, with ventilation recommended for the room.
Costly Items
North is described as the most beneficial position for storage of costly items, while South-East is mentioned as a direction to avoid.
Staircase, Windows and Veranda
Staircase
South or West is described as the most beneficial location for a staircase. The original material advises against placing the staircase in North-East.
Windows
The source recommends more windows of uniform shape and size towards East and North to encourage ventilation and the entry of what it describes as beneficial energies.
Veranda
East or North is described as beneficial for a veranda, preferably opposite the main gate. South and West are described as directions to avoid.
Floor Levels and Slope
The original material recommends a higher level towards the South and a lower level towards North and East. It associates this arrangement with the traditional flow of water and energy across the property.
Main Door Vastu
One of the most important elements of a Vastu planTraditional Main Entrance Guidelines
- East, North and North-East are described as beneficial positions for the main door.
- The original source specifically discusses reviewing entrances in South-East, North-West and South-West.
- It advises against providing four doors in a row including the main door.
- The source also recommends giving special attention to the position and proportion of the entrance.
Mirrors in Vastu
Traditional Mirror Placement
The original material describes mirrors as useful in addressing certain external obstructions. It recommends that mirrors reflect the higher sections of the house and specifically discusses avoiding reflections of certain Southern, South-Eastern and North-Western portions.
Mirrors are also mentioned where an obstruction exists opposite the house, main gate or main entrance.
Open Space and Room Proportions
Open Space
The source recommends greater vacant space towards North, North-East and East and comparatively less vacant space towards South, West and South-West.
Room Size
The original material recommends rectangular rooms and states that the length should be greater than the width.
Basement, Garage and Servant Quarters
Basement
The original source advises against a basement where possible. If one is essential, it describes East, North or North-East with sufficient ventilation as the preferred options.
Garage
- North-West is described as suitable for a garage or parking area.
- The garage should be outside the main house.
- It should not touch the main structure.
- North-East should not be used for parking according to the source.
Servant Quarter
North-West is described as a suitable location for a servant quarter. The source recommends keeping its walls independent from the main structure.
Compound Wall and Compound Gate
- A compound wall around the property is recommended.
- The source recommends lower walls towards East and North.
- South and West walls are recommended to be higher.
- The compound entrance should correspond appropriately with the main building entrance.
- The gate should not be higher than the compound wall.
Vastu Guidelines for Plot and Site Selection
Vastu begins before constructionImportant Plot Considerations
- The source recommends a square or rectangular plot.
- It describes an East-facing plot as beneficial.
- The plot should not be at the dead end of a road.
- The source discusses appropriate levels from South towards North.
- It advises considering the surroundings and major obstructions opposite the property.
- A boundary wall should be provided around the plot.
- More open space is recommended towards East and North.
- Less open space is recommended towards South and West.
- A lawn may be provided towards North-East.
- Heavier and thicker boundary walls are recommended towards South and West.
- The main structure should remain independent of the boundary wall.
Brahm Sthana and the Central Space
The original material recommends keeping the middle of the main structure sufficiently open and identifies this central area with the Vastu Purusha. It suggests reserving this space for religious or spiritually significant use rather than overcrowding it with heavy construction.
Additional Vastu Considerations
Colours
The source recommends prescribed colours for different directions and also mentions white as an alternative across directions.
Plants and Trees
Herbal plants are recommended in vacant areas, while heavier trees are specifically mentioned towards South-West.
Beams
The original material advises avoiding sleeping or sitting directly under beams.
Vastu and Astrology – An Important Connection
The original Astroshastra material does not treat Vastu only as a matter of physical layout. It also states that the construction of a house should be synchronised with the horoscope of the native and an auspicious astrological time.
It further refers to astrological norms for the selection of a suitable country, city, direction, site and soil, together with suitable timing for activities such as purchasing land, levelling the plot, planning the house, foundation and fixing the main gate.
For this reason, people interested in traditional Astro-Vastu may wish to consider both the property and the horoscope rather than relying on a single isolated Vastu rule.
Vastu at a Glance – Quick Home Checklist
- Prefer a square or rectangular plot.
- Give careful attention to the main entrance and its direction.
- Keep greater open space towards North and East.
- Keep heavier construction towards South and West where appropriate.
- Consider South-East for the kitchen.
- Consider North-East for the Puja room.
- Give special attention to the location of underground and overhead water.
- Plan bedrooms according to the traditional directional guidelines.
- Keep proper ventilation and windows, especially in directions recommended by the traditional framework.
- Review the staircase, toilet, garage and storage locations before construction.
- Maintain appropriate open space around the structure.
- Consider the horoscope and auspicious timing where following the Astro-Vastu approach.
Want a Personalised Vastu Assessment?
Every property has its own plot, orientation, entrance, layout and surroundings. If you want to understand the Vastu of your home, office, shop or property in greater detail, consider a personalised Vastu consultation.
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