Vastu Shastra Principles For Home Design: The Definitive Handbook

Home Design Insights:-

Home design isn’t only about appearance and function, but a home should create a healthy, happy, and prosperous living space filled with balance and harmony. Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian design practice built on a holistic concept of aligning an architecturally done environment with its surrounding energies in nature.

The focus of this blog will be the fundamental principles of Vastu Shastra for home design that will provide you with the basics for you to construct, or renovate your home and create a living space that supports positive energy.

Introduction To Vastu Shastra:-

Vastu Shastra is being identified as the ancient Indian science of architecture and design that is associated with some astronomy, astrology and environmental science. Ultimately, Vastu aims to create buildings, spaces, and places and align them with the universal cosmic energies to create tranquility, prosperity and wellbeing.

Vastu means “dwelling” it can be also referred to as a home or any establishment while Shastra means “science.” Vastu Shastra prescribes how to orient a building and its components in better harmony with environmental forces.

The Five Elements and Their Role in Vastu:-

The Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian architectural science which is primarily based upon the concept of five fundamental elements. These five vastu elements are also known as Pancha Bhootas being identified as the building blocks of the universe as they are thought to influence the energies within a space. It has been said that if these elements would balance out in the right way, it would create harmony, prosperity and positive energy flow. A detailed breakdown of each element along with its significance is provided below:

• Earth (Prithvi): It provides stability, grounding, and strength and is associated with the southwest direction; it is mostly associated with fertility, health, and relationships.
• Water (Jal): This vastu shastra element demonstrates flow, purity, and flexibility. It is mostly associated with the northeast direction and is linked with feelings, intuition, and mental well being.
• Fire (Agni): Represents energy, transformation, and passion. It is linked to the southeast direction and associated with creativity, enthusiasm, and vitality.
• Air (Vayu): This shastra demonstrates movement and communication. It is linked to the northwest direction and is associated with social connections, voyages, and new opportunities.
• Space/Ether (Aakash): Represents expansion, connection, and consciousness. It is associated with the center of the space, linking to spiritual expansion and overall well being.

Importance of Directional Alignment in Home Design:-

Each direction in Vastu has an associated deity that signifies an element, function or energy with it:

• North (Kubera): Best for wealth and financial growth.
• South (Yama): Best for storage or heavy structures.
• East (Indra): Best for impromptu growth and social connection.
• West (Varuna): Best for stability and strength.

By matching rooms and entryways with the appropriate directions, you can enhance the natural cycle of energy and home design to help bring your house into harmony and balance.

Vastu Guidelines for the Main Entrance:-

The primary entrance is considered the main passage for energy. The best location for this area is to the northeast, north, or east. These three areas receive the most amount of natural light and energy at the start of the day. Vastu For Home Entrance is as follows:

• Do not locate the main entrance in the southwest.
• Ensure the door opens clockwise.
• Make sure the entrance is well lit and is free of clutter.
• You may want to decorate the entrance, a good option is particular auspicious symbols, with Om, Swastika, or with a rangoli.

Optimal Room Placement According to Vastu:-

Here is an overview of ideal room placements based on the Vastu principles:

Careful placement will create an organized and harmonious living environment.

Kitchen Design and Vastu Principles:-

The kitchen embodies Agni (Fire) and must be located in the southeast corner of the property. If in case the southeast location is not viable, then the northwest position is an alternative option. Some of the key Vastu recommendations for your Kitchen are:

• The gas stove is to face east while cooking.
• The kitchen should never be placed directly under or above a toilet or a bedroom.
• The sink (water) must always be placed away from the stove (fire).
• Use red, orange, yellow bright colors as a source of fire energy.

A properly designed kitchen, where you can prepare food, can significantly enhance the health- and quality of living for the occupants in a house or apartment.

Bedroom Layout For Harmony and Rest:-

The bedroom is being identified as a place for relaxation and restoration. To enrich sleep, and emotional well being consider the following:

• The master bedroom must ideally be located in the southwest direction.
• It is preferable to not sleep with your head towards the north. The preferable is with the head facing south.
• Use calming colors (pastel colors, beige, light green).
• Preferably, there should not be a mirror directly across from the bed.
• There are two tables and bedside lamps on each side of the bed.

These Vastu principles of design and space will assist your body to sleep better, and achieve emotional equilibrium.

Vastu Tips For Wealth And Prosperity:-

Vastu Shastra focuses on financial circulation and wealth accumulation by correlating your house with the north and northeast directions. Some of the ways to draw in abundance through Vastu Tips for Wealth are provided below:

• The South is home to money plants or wealth bowls in the northern direction.
• The cash locker is always in the southwest, opening to the north, or green in the southeast corner of the room with the locker facing the door.
• Water is directed northeast, can be a water fountain or aquarium.
• Be organized and tidy, declutter closings and corner spaces.
• Mirrors need to be clean, positioned to reflect the good energy in the room.

Aligning the energy of your home stills the flow of finances!

Enhancing Positive Energy with Colors and Decor:-

Color is essential for each of us in directing feelings and vibrations. Vastu for homes provides us with the following colors:

• Living Room: Light green or beige will guide the vibrations of harmony.
• Bedroom: Lavender, blue, and light pink will guide vibrations of peace and tranquility.
• Kitchen: Yellow, orange, and peach signifies vibrational stimulation of appetite and energy.
• Bathroom: Light gray or white specifies vibrations of cleanliness.

Decor Tips:

• Include plants, e.g. tulsi, bamboo, or jade.
• Wind chimes hang in the northwest section.
• Include the power of Vastu pyramids for energy alignment in your space.
• Do not place any plant with thorns/ prickles or broken pieces.

Being mindful in your designs can increase the beauty and the energy.

Common Vastu Mistakes and How to Avoid Them:-

Here are common mistakes people make and how to fix them:

Awareness of these errors helps make sure your home is not bringing in negative vibrations.

Conclusion:-

Vastu Shastra has valuable ideas for designing a happy home by using the natural elements and energy flow in the architecture. There’s no need to do a complete Vastu overhaul of your home, small changes will help improve your life in a meaningful way. Learning and applying Vastu for homes is not just about tradition or cultural priorities, it is about being conscious in your living, health and wealth. By applying the Vastu for home design, it will enhance your dreams and health whether designing a new dwelling, or to evaluate your renovation of a home.