Vastu verifies to locate staircase of the building in the South or West direction. Staircase is a heavy structure; hence it should be located in negative zones like the South or the West. The staircase in northern or eastern part of house may give adverse effects. The stairs should rise from the East to West or from the North to South. The staircase should not be in the center of the house. Avoid staircase in northeast direction also.
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for functional staircase.
DO’S
- Make staircase of the house in southern or western part of the house as these directions are heavy.
- Build staircase in southeast in east, northwest in north, southwest in west and southwest in south if the staircase is external.
- Arise the stairs from the East to West or from the North to South and a turn can be taken to any other side due to paucity of space.
- Make the number of stairs odd. It should not end with zero. The number of risers should be such odd numbers that if divided by 3, the remainder is always 2.
- Paint staircase in light colors. Avoid red and black color.
- Repair broken stairs immediately otherwise it may cause accidents or mental tension due to clashes.
DON’TS
- Avoid staircase in northeast of the house and in center of the house as it will cause loss of wealth. The staircase in any other corner reduces loss.
- Do not make staircase circular as it may cause ill effects on health.
- Do not build any room such as kitchen, bathroom and ‘Pooja’ room under staircase. However it can be used for storage.
- Do not use common staircase for going upstairs and basement.
The doors and windows are essential furnishing articles of the house. These are used for insulation purposes. They provide comfort in working at the house. The following are important points that one should consider before designing the doors and windows.
- Maximum number of doors and windows should open in the North and East as compared to the South and West.
- The doors and windows should be in even numbers like 2, 4, 6, 8 etc. but not 10 and multiple of 8.
- The main door of house should be taller than other doors. It should be of two shutters.
- There should not be any obstruction in front of main door like big trees; pole etc. There should not be any temple opposite to the house too.
- The doors should not be placed in center of the wall. It should be far from the centre. It should not be in extreme corner.
- For doors and windows one type of wood should be used. Teak wood is the best option for doors and windows.
- The doors and windows should be rectangular. The doors having irregular or square shapes are not auspicious.
- The doors should not close automatically; it may affect the health of children.
- The doors should not be over size or under sized. Its size should be of ratio 2:1 in regard to height and width.
- If the door is making noise while moving, it should be repaired otherwise it can cause quarrel.
- There should not be cracked door in a house. It should be replaced as soon as possible.
- The entrance door should be well decorated with pictures and decorative pieces.
- The main entrance door of two houses opposite to each other should not be opened towards to each other.
- If there is more than one floor in a building, one door over another door should be avoided.
Note: Any picture of God should not be hanged at outer side of the door.
Vastu Shastra being an ancient science deals in residential buildings, factories and industries. Vastu can be applied on flowers and plants in the house. The plants play significant role in activating positive energy to our day to day life. Here is what Vastu says about plants.
Tulsi or Basil plant is most powerful and auspicious plant. The plant should be located in the North, East and North-east of the house. Tulsi can be grown at the front or the back of the house.
Banyan and Peepel tree are sacred trees so they should be planted near temple or sacred place.
- The trees should not be planted in front of the entrance of house.
- Big trees can be planted in the South and West portion of the house. They should not be too close to the building as they block sunlight and roots of the tree can damage foundation. The roots of big trees absorb sunlight and do not allow them to reach the house.
- Small trees can be planted in the East and North side. But no tree should be planted in North-east corner.
- Thorny plants should not be planted in the house as these plants except rose can have negative energy.
- The creepers should be planted near entrance door. It should not be raised on compound wall of the building. It is good to plant creeper in garden.
- Avoid milky trees in the house as it may affect the health of family members.
- Flowering plants should be placed in the South-west portion of the house. Jasmine, Rose, Marigold, Champak, Mogra and Prijat are good around the house as it gives positive energy.
- Money plant should also be planted inside the house as it brings good luck to the house.
- No big tree should be planted in the centre of the house.
- A rock garden should be in southwest portion of the house, not in the northeast portion of the house.
Brahmasthan is a unique feature of ancient architecture based on Vastu Shastra. It is central, holiest and powerful zone of the house. All directions meet at the center of the house and disperse positive energy in all directions. This positive energy is very useful for living beings of the occupants of the house. Brahmasthan is also important place for factories and industries. The central place is identified by painting ceiling with a different color.
If people want to enjoy riches, harmony and happiness, Brahmasthan should be left open and is free of obstructing objects. In ancient time, it was common to construct a courtyard at the centre of house which was open to sky and to the rooms around courtyard.
Identification of Brahmasthan
Divide the plot into 8 equal parts from East to West and North to South. Now the plot is divided into 64 equal parts. The four squares at the center of plot are the place of Brahmasthan.
Tips for Brahmasthan
- Main hall, Pooja Room or Courtyard can be constructed at the centre of the house.
- Toilets and Bathroom should not be built at the centre of the house.
- Kitchen at the center may have adverse effect on health.
- Generally, in duplex houses staircases are built at center of house. It may affect mental and financial growth of the residents.
- The pillar having a load of structure makes the centre heavy that’s a big Vastu defect.
- Sleeping at the centre place will mess up the life.
- There should not be a beam at the center of house.
- Beams, arches, store room etc. should not be constructed at Brahmsthana.
Colours according to Vaastu Shastra play a vital role in bringing balance to our minds as well as bodies and to stimulate our energy. Therefore colours in one home should be coordinated with the colours of respective planets and elements associated with different directions. This will help in enhancing the energy flow around every individual in the house. Here are some guidelines on particular colours, which will help you to choose the right Vaastu colours for every room.
Red: The colour red represents power and bravery. It is the most dramatic, emotional and active colour comparing to other two primary colours blue and yellow. It is known for evoking a seductive atmosphere of passion and desire. With its versatile effect it enlivens the interior space by creating excitement, warmth and elegance.
It should not be used in bedrooms because of its energizing quality, although some red can be used to enhance sensuality. It can also be exhausting or overpowering and stressful for those who are anxious.
Orange: This colour inspires spirituality as it represents transcendence and an otherworldly aspect. It encourages happy, joyful and social gatherings.
An orange coloured dining room will help to stimulate good appetite. So, if you want to enhance parties, communication, positive feelings and cheerfulness in your daily living, paint your dining room or living room in orange. Peach can also be used as it gives a cool effect.
Yellow: Yellow colour nurtures mental alertness and clarity of mind. It represents sunlight. Remember, if a room gets direct sunlight; do not paint the walls with yellow or peach.
Choose its placement with care, as it is bright and very energizing. However this colour inspires intellectual clarity, comprehensible associations, articulate thinking and joyful energy. For prayer room, yellow or sandal wall colours are just perfect. It is a recommended colour for the logical left side of the brain. It is intellectually beneficial and you might use it with yellow accents instead of painting each wall yellow.
Green: This colour represents nature. Green helps in bringing a harmonious atmosphere that generates calm and inner peace with an energizing quality within the house.
It brings balanced harmony, quick healing and rejuvenation to a room. It can be used as a calming place for people who are disturbed or in need of refreshment. Today most of the hospitals use it because of its quick healing aspects. It can also be used in study room as it enhances intelligence.
Blue: This colour represents Sky. It gives a sense of space and expansion that relaxes body and mind.
It can be used for bedrooms or meditation rooms because of its calming and spiritual energy. It enhances meditative quality and it is believed that blue acts like a colour therapy to reduce blood pressure.
Purple: It helps in reflecting positive reflections and stimulates meditation. This rich colour inspires faith, intuition and trust. It is very protective, spiritual and comforting. Never paint an entire room in purple as it could be overpowering. However an additional light violet colour can provide a very healing and calming atmosphere.
White: white is an elegant colour and works fine anywhere when combined with accent colours. It has an uplifting and cleansing aspect, however too much white can reflect a sterile and isolating quality.
White ceilings are widely suggested by most of the scholars as they reflect light and brighten the room. A room in Northwest direction representing the room should use white and other bright colours like blue and green. Avoid grey and black colours specifically.
Choosing the Paint Color according to Vastu
Bedroom : Pink is an auspicious color for bedroom. Light blue and light green are also good for bedroom. Choose green color for children’s bedroom because it can helps in study of children.
Living Room: Yellow, blue, green, tan and beige are best colors for living room as these colors are pleasant for guests.
Kitchen: The white is the best color for kitchen. Yellow, orange, rose pink, chocolate and red colors are also good colors for kitchen.
Bathroom (Toilet): It can be of white or a mix of black and white or gray colors. Pink and other pastel colors are also good.
Dining Room: The Pink, green and blue colors are good for dining room as this place needs to be painted in refreshing colors for the family eats and entertains there. Avoid black and white or mixture of black and white in the room.
