HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIA: August 2009

VAASTU SHASTRA | RESIDENTIAL INTERIORS

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE INTERIORS OF A HOUSE:

Furniture should be placed in the South-East, South, or West sides of a room.

The North-East corner of each room in the house should be left empty.

Sitting direction- The house’s owner should sit facing North or East, and his guests should sit facing West or South. Avoid sitting facing South.

Avoid sitting under exposed beams as it excites your stress zone and disturbs your rational judgment in matters of importance. The balance can be partly restored by concealing beams with the help of a false ceiling.

A TV can be placed in the South-East side of a room. Watch TV, facing East or North. Air conditioners should be placed on West walls.

Avoid furniture near sharp corners of columns.Keep furniture at least 2" away from the walls.

Avoid Clutter as it represents stagnation.

Avoid storing things under furniture.

Paintings can add to the positive vibes in a house. However avoid pictures such as nudes, fighting animals, hunting/violent/death scenes, barren trees, snakes, owls, bats, vultures and pigeons.

Clocks should be placed on the West, North, or East walls.

Mirrors should be placed on the North or East walls, not on the South or West walls. Do not keep broken mirrors in the house.

Medicines should be kept in the North-East corner of the house.It is best to nurse those who are ill in the South-West corner of the house.

There should be an even number of columns and beams in the house, not odd.

Doors should preferably be made from a single piece of wood and should open clockwise.

The wash basin can be in the North or East of any room- the Dining/Bathroom, Kitchen.

Avoid sleeping with head in the North.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR LIVING ROOM INTERIORS:

Sofa sets should be placed against the South and West walls.

Water fountain/Aquarium should be in the North.

Fireplaces should be in the South-East or North-West since the South-East represents Agni (Fire)

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DINING ROOM INTERIORS:

The Dining table should be in the centre of the room, away from the walls.

The dining table should be square or rectangular in shape. Avoid circular, hexagon or other irregular shapes.

Avoid bathroom near the Dining room.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR KITCHEN INTERIORS:

The cooking stove should be in the South-East corner of the Kitchen.

One should cook facing East.

The cooking stove should not be visible from the outside.

The Kitchen sink and cooking stove should not be close to each other.

Avoid water taps in the corners of 2 counters.

There should be no leaking taps in the kitchen.

Drinking water should be stored in the North-East of the Kitchen.

The refrigerator should be in the North-West or South-West corner of the Kitchen.

The microwave should be in the South-East corner of the Kitchen.

The exhaust fans should be in the East walls.

Avoid overhead storage above the cooking stove.

The Kitchen is the best place for the daily meals.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR BEDROOM INTERIORS:

The Bed should be placed against the West or South walls.

Avoid the bed directly opposite the door: But the bed should be placed in a position where the occupants can see anyone coming into the rooms.

Beds should not be shaky. The mattress should provide good support to the body while resting.

The dressing table should be in the East or North.

Study table should face East, North or North-East.

Avoid Television in the bedroom and it should never be directly in front of the bed as it works as a mirror and generates negative energy.

Computers should be kept in the South-East.

Wardrobes should be in the North-West or South-West.

The safe should be in the South-West, opening towards North.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR POOJA ROOM INTERIORS:

The Pooja room should have a lower ceiling.

The Pooja room can be a pyramid shaped space.

Door to the Pooja room should have two shutters.

There should be a threshold at the entrance to the Pooja room.

Idols can be in the North-East, East or West of the Pooja room.

Avoid idols facing North because then the worshiper has to face South which is not advisable.

Avoid broken idols or torn pictures.

Avoid idols facing each other.

Idols should be kept at least an inch away from the wall.

The lamp should always be in front of the idol.

The puja things should be stored in the South-East of the Pooja room.

Avoid a bell in the Pooja room.

Avoid photographs of dead people in the Pooja room.

Food offerings should be placed in front of the idols.

A cupboard lower than the idols can be placed against the South or West wall.

Avoid storing or hiding money or valuables in the Pooja room.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR BATHROOM INTERIORS:

The bathtub and shower can be in the North-East, North or East of the Bathroom.

The WC (commode) can be in the West, South or South-West of the Bathroom.

The WC should be oriented facing North or South and not in the E-W direction.

This post was about the Vastu guidelines for the Interior layout of a House. It is always useful to combine the Interiors with application of the right Colours. Read abot the Vastu tips on colours here:

VAASTU SHASTRA | COLOURS FOR A HOUSE
VAASTU SHASTRA | CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLOURS
VAASTU SHASTRA | COLOUR THERAPY

SUGGESTED READING:

Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | House Interiors

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

VAASTU SHASTRA | OTHER FLOORS

In multi-level houses, there may be a Basement and Upper Floors. The Upper Floors are generally used for private spaces like Bedrooms, Study rooms and Family rooms. The Basements are usually meant for Car Parking or for storage etc.

Here are some Vaastu guidelines for the design of basements and upper levels of a House.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR BASEMENTS IN A HOUSE:

Avoid basements for living areas.

It is preferable to have only part-basement, and that too, only in the North-East or East of the house.

At least one-fourth of the Basement should be above ground. Any heavy equipment should be located in the South and West parts of the Basement.

The height of the Basement walls should be at least 9 feet.

The Basement should be painted white and not a dark colour.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR THE UPPER FLOORS OF A HOUSE:

If there is only a part upper floor, then it should be in the South-West of the house.

The Bedrooms and Study rooms should be in the Upper floors.

Avoid storing heavy things in the Upper floors.

Maximum number of doors and windows should be in the North and East sides of the Upper floors.

However, the number of doors/windows in the Upper floors should be less than in the lower floors.

The Balconies in the Upper floors should be in the North, East or North-East, but should not be in the South-West corner.

The ceiling height in the Upper floors should be less than in the lower floors.

This post is about the Vastu guidelines for the design of Other Floors. The Other Floors are used for private spaces namely the Bedrooms, Balconies and the Study Room. Read the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:

SUGGESTED READING:

Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Basement, Upper floors

VAASTU SHASTRA | SUMP, OVERHEAD WATER TANK

TYPES OF WATER TANKS IN A HOUSE:
There are two types of Water Tanks that are part of any House:

The Underground Water tank also known as the Sump, to which the municipal water pipe is connected. This tank has to be close to the road as the water lines run along the road.
The Overhead Water Tank. from which the water used in the house, flows out into the taps. The water from the sump or Well/Borewell is pumped into the Overhead tank in order for it to be able to flow down into the house.

Here are some Vaastu Guidelines for the design of the Water tanks, that you should consider while designing your house.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR POSITION OF SUMP OR UNDERGROUND WATER TANK:

The Sump should be located in the North-East corner.
The Sump should not touch the compound walls or the building walls.
The Sump should be near the corporation water lines, which means, that it should be near the main road.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR POSITION OF THE OVERHEAD WATER TANK:

The Overhead water tank should be in the West or South-West of the building so that this corner becomes the heaviest which will balance out positive energy in the house.
Avoid the Overhead tank in the North-East corner of the House, even though the North-East represents Water, because this corner should be the lightest for the balance of energy.
Avoid the Overhead water tank in the South-East corner.
Also, avoid the Overhead water tank in the North-West corner (if possible).However if only the North-West is available, then the tank should be small in size, of less height, and situated at a distance of at least two feet from the North-West corner.
Avoid the Overhead tank in the centre of the building (Bramhasthan).

VAASTU SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE OVERHEAD WATER TANK:

The Overhead tank should not directly rest on the roof slab.
The Overhead tank should be at least 2" (60cm) above the topmost roof slab.
The Overhead water tank can be lined with light coloured tiles.
The Solar geyser should be above the level of the overhead water tank.
Avoid plastic water tanks as far as possible. In case you use plastic water tanks, use black or dark blue coloured ones.
Two separate Overhead water tanks are preferred - One , for storing water for drinking, cooking etc and the other, for storing water for bathrooms, gardens etc.

The Overhead tanks are located on top of the roof and are accessed by the Staircase. Read the Vaastu Guidelines for a Staircase here:

VAASTU SHASTRA | STAIRCASES

SUGGESTED READING:
Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Underground/Overhead Tanks

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

VAASTU SHASTRA | GARAGE or CAR PORCH

A Car Porch or Garage is used for parking the Car. It can be an open Car Porch or a closed Garage. It is accessed from the Main Gate and should be designed as per Vaastu guidelines.

Here are some Vaastu guidelines to be considered while designing and locating a Garage or Car Porch.

POSITION OF A GARAGE OR CAR PORCH:

The Garage should be located in the North-West.
The second option for a Garage or Car porch is in the South-East.
Avoid a Garage or Car porch in the South-West.
Avoid a Garage or Car porch in the North-East.
A Garage in the basement should be in the North or East only.

DIRECTION FOR PARKING A CAR:

The car should be parked such that it faces North or East.

VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A CAR PORCH:

Avoid supporting the Car porch on the compound wall.
The colour of the Garage or Car porch walls can be white, yellow or any other light colour. However, black and gray colour should be avoided.

VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE FOR THE GARAGE/CAR PORCH:

This exercise is just a guideline to help you decide, where to position the Garage or Car Porch in your house plan. In case you already have a house, then this exercise will help you to evaluate the location of your existing Garage or Car porch as per Vastu Shastra principles. Accordingly, you can decide if you want to make some corrections and changes to your house.
Note the score for the following question and enter it in the score sheet.
Total the points.
The points indicate how favorable your House or Plot is, according to Vaastu.
The interpretation of the record of points is given at the end of the SCORE SHEET

POSITION OF THE GARAGE / CAR PORCH:

DIRECTION	POINTS
NORTH-WEST	10
NORTH	9
EAST	8
NORTH-EAST	7
SOUTH-EAST	6
WEST	5
SOUTH	4
SOUTH-WEST	3

Sometimes, the house has a Basement which serves as a Garage. Usually the underground water tank also known as the Sump is located below the Car Porch. The Garage/Car Porch leads to the Entrance Verandah. Read the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:

SUGGESTED READING:
Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Car Porch / Garage

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

VAASTU SHASTRA | COMPOUND WALL, GATES

COMPOUND WALL CONSTRUCTION:

The Compound wall should be constructed before the commencement of the House construction.
The Compound wall should be constructed after the Water well/borewell has been dug and after the Storage shed has been built.
The Compound wall construction should begin on the South-West side.
Construction should begin on an auspicious day.
The Northern part of the Compound wall should be built only after the house is completed.

HEIGHT OF COMPOUND WALL:

The compound wall should not be higher than the house. The Compound wall should be higher on the South and West sides. The Compound walls on the North and East sides should be a foot (12 inches) shorter than on the West and South sides. If this is not possible, then the North and East sides should be a minimum of (3 inches) shorter. The Compound wall should be two thirds the height of the main door.

MAIN GATE AND SMALLER GATES:

It is always preferable to have two gates to the House- one can be a bigger gate and the other can be a smaller gate.
Avoid gates in the extreme corners.
The main gate and the entrance door should face the same direction.
Avoid a gate in the South side.
Gates should open clockwise.

AVOID THESE OBSTRUCTIONS IN FRONT OF THE MAIN GATE:

Big Tree;
Ditch;
Open well;
Dilapidated house;
Electric/Telephone post.

DISTANCE BETWEEN OBSTRUCTION AND HOUSE:

But if there is a road between the plot and the obstacles these deficiencies are nullified.
Similarly, if the distance between the obstacles and the house is two times the height of the house, these deficiencies will have no effect.

VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE FOR THE MAIN GATE:

This exercise is just a guideline to help you decide, where to position the Main Gate in your plan. In case you already have a house, then this exercise will help you to evaluate according to Vaastu Shastra, the location of your existing Gate. Accordingly you can decide if you want to make some corrections and changes to your house.
Note the score for the following question and enter it in the score sheet.
Total the points.
The points indicate how favorable your House or Plot is, according to Vaastu.
The interpretation of the record of points is given at the end of the SCORE SHEET

POSITION OF THE MAIN GATE:

DIRECTION	POINTS
NORTH-EAST	10
EAST	9
NORTH	8
NORTH-WEST	7
SOUTH-EAST	6
WEST	5
SOUTH	4
SOUTH-WEST	3

This post is about the Vastu Guidelines for the Compound wall and Gates. The Gates lead into the Garden and to the Car Porch/Garage of the house. Read about the Vastu guidelines for these spaces here:

SUGGESTED READING:
Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Compound Walls, Gates

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

VAASTU SHASTRA | BALCONY

A Balcony is a platform that projects from the wall of the building and is surrounded by a railing. It is usually attached and accessed from the Bedroom. It is meant for relaxing, sitting, having a cup of coffee and unwinding. It may or may not have a roof.

Here are some Vastu Guidelines to be considered while designing a Balcony.

LOCATION OF A BALCONY:

Balconies should be in the East or North part of the house.
Avoid Balconies in the South or the West sides of the main building.

ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE IN A BALCONY:

Heavy furniture and seating should be placed in the South-West of the balcony.
Swing should be in the East-West axis.
Small plants should be placed in the North-East of the Balcony.
Keep only small flower pots in the Balcony.
Avoid flower pots with creepers in the Balcony.

BALCONY ROOF:

The height of the Balcony roof should be less than the roof of the main building.
Avoid using asbestos or tin for the roof of a Balcony.

This post was about the Vastu guidelines for the design of a Study Room. The Study room is usually located in the Upper Floors. Read the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:

VAASTU SHASTRA | OTHER FLOORS

SUGGESTED READING:
Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vastu Guidelines | Balconies

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

VAASTU SHASTRA | LIVING ROOM

The Living Room is the room where guests are entertained and made to sit, once they enter the house. This is the room where they make their first impression. Members of a family also sit around, and have their daily discussions here. In a way, the living room is the heart of a home.

Here are some Vaastu guidelines to be considered while designing aLiving room

LOCATION OF THE LIVING ROOM:

Entrance: The Living room should be near the entrance to the house.
North or East facing site: The Living room can be in the North-East.
West facing Site: The Living room can be in the North-West.
South facing Site: One can have a South-East Living room.
A living room can also, be in the Central East, central West, central North or central South of a house.

ARRANGEMENT OF FURNITURE IN THE LIVING ROOM:

Air Conditioners should be placed on the West walls.
TV should be placed such that the viewing is facing East or North.
Sofa sets should be placed against the South and West walls or if there is no other choice on the East walls.
Avoid a cluttered sofa arrangement. There should be free movement.
Avoid furniture near the corners of columns, pillars etc.
As a rule, avoid sitting under a beam as it excites your stress zone and disturbs your rational judgment in matters of importance. The balance can be partly restored by concealing beams with the help of a false ceiling.
A small water fountain that runs throughout the day, and made of natural materials like copper, stone, glass, clay, stainless steel, bamboo, etc., or a Fish Aquarium is recommended in the Living room preferably in the North-East corner.
Fireplaces can be located in the South-East or North-West, since South-East represents Agni (Fire). But it is better to avoid the North-East and South-West corners since North-East represents Water.

PAINTINGS/ARTWORK:

Paintings on the walls can create positive vibes.
But avoid paintings that depict death, violence and negative aspects of life.
The following types of paintings can be hung on different walls.
The North Wall can have paintings/pictures of water bodies to stimulate the positive aspect of the primary element water.
The East wall can have a painting or picture of the rising sun — the beginning of the dawn of a day.
The South and West walls can have innovative paintings of a gentle elephant herd, high rise mountains with heavy plant life and similar pictures or paintings that denote strength.

VAASTU COLOURS FOR A LIVING ROOM:

White, yellow, green, or blue are suitable for a Living room. Avoid red or black.

VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE FOR THE LIVING ROOM:

This exercise is just a guideline to help you decide, where to position the Living Room in your house plan. In case you already have a house, then this exercise will help you to evaluate the location of your existing Living Room as per Vastu Shastra principles. Accordingly, you can decide if you want to make some corrections and changes to your house.
Note the score for the following question and enter it in the score sheet.
Total the points.
The points indicate how favorable your House or Plot is, according to Vaastu.
The interpretation of the record of points is given at the end of the SCORE SHEET

POSITION OF THE LIVING ROOM:

DIRECTION	POINTS
EAST	10
NORTH	9
NORTH-EAST	8
SOUTH-EAST	7
NORTH-WEST	6
WEST	5
SOUTH	4
SOUTH-WEST	3

This post was about the Vaastu guidelines for the design of a Living Room. The Living room leads into the next spaces namely the Dining Room and the Pooja Room. Read about the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:

SUGGESTED READING:
Vaastu Shastra is a rational science based on facts, observations and governed by a set of principles. To understand the logic and Scientific reasoning of these Vaastu principles, go to Vaastu Guidelines | Living Room

Related Topics:
VAASTU SHASTRA FACTORS
VAASTU SHASTRA PRINCIPLES
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR SITE SELECTION
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR DESIGN OF A HOUSE
VAASTU GUIDELINES FOR CONSTRUCTION
VAASTU EVALUATION EXERCISE

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION IN INDIA