Have you ever walked into a house that instantly made you feel at home. There is something about the home that makes you feel calm happy and comfortable. On the other hand sometimes you walk into a space that just does not feel comfortable to you.
That's where Vastu Shastra comes in.
Vastu Shastra is an Indian science of architecture, planning and designing, that works on the principle of harmony between the house and the surrounding elements like direction, location of rooms, orientation of doors, colors, organisation of regular activities and much more.
You do not have to renovate or reorganise your house on the weekends. A few Vastu Shastra Tips can bring a balance in the house.
Here are some practical tips that you can use in your house today.
Vastu Shastra is an ancient Indian art of designing living spaces based on the principle of bringing in harmony in the human being through organisation of the home with respect to the surrounding environment.
Vastu Shastra considers the five elements, which are:
- Earth (Prithvi)
- Water (Jal)
- Fire (Agni)
- Air (Vayu)
- Space (Aakash)
And directions as important factors.
Vastu Shastra does not aim to solve all the problems in the world, but it aims to bring a sense of organisation, harmony and balance to your life.
The entrance of your house is extremely important in Vastu Shastra. Make sure that it is clean and free from clutter. Avoid piles of shoes, broken items or old boxes lying around the entrance. You can also decorate your entrance with plants, a statue or a name plate, to make your home look inviting. A clean entrance is a Vastu Shastra tip that is also good for your guests.
Natural light makes a big difference in a space. Vastu Shastra recommends keeping windows open to let in sunlight. Avoid blocking windows with furniture or decoration. Sunlight along with fresh air, brings a positive vibe into your home and makes it feel less confined.
In Vastu Shastra the Northeast Direction is considered to be the direction of peace, spirituality and clarity. Make sure that the area is clean and clutter free. Avoid making it a central storage place for furniture, boxes or any other items. If possible, make it a special place for praying or meditating. Keeping this area free from clutter will let the energy flow freely.
Think about where you place your bedrooms. Avoid placing bedrooms close to the kitchen or the living room. If possible keep all the bedrooms grouped together, it will help with temperature and privacy. Avoid placing the bedrooms near the door, it will cause noise, disturbance and a lack of peace.
Since the bedroom is a place to relax and sleep, its placement is very important both practically and according to Vastu Shastra. Traditionally the Southwest corner is deemed best for the master bedroom. If you are unable to change the placement of the bedroom, then try to make it as comfortable as possible.
Do not place too many decorative items around the bed. Make it a place to sleep and relax.
The direction of the bed is important in Vastu Shastra. It is generally advised to sleep with your head facing south or east. It is advised not to sleep with your head pointing north. No matter which direction you choose, make sure that the bed is comfortable and that there is enough space around it for you to move freely. A good night's sleep starts with a comfortable well-organised bedroom.
The kitchen in Vastu Shastra, is ruled by fire and as such the placement and organisation of the kitchen are very important. It is traditionally advised to keep the kitchen in the Southeast corner of the house, because it resonates with the fire element. In some cases the Northwest is also considered acceptable.
You do not have to worry if your kitchen is not in the direction. But make sure that you keep it clean, organised and ventilated. Avoid clutter in the cooking area and use the proper ventilation to keep the heat and smoke away.
This is arguably one of the easiest and most effective Vastu Shastra Tips.
Broken clock, cracked mirrors, broken chairs. We tend to keep these items at home 'in case we need them or in case we can fix them one day'. 'A one day' rarely comes.
Fix the broken items and plan to use them. If not, then throw them away. A home free from broken or unused items feels lighter, cleaner and easier to manage.
Indoor plants make a living room come alive.
There are several Vastu Shastra related beliefs about plants and their placement in the house. You do not need to fill your house with plants, keep a couple in each room that receive adequate sunlight and airflow.
Some popular indoor plants are money plants, bamboo, snake plants and peace lilies. Do not forget to water them. Dying plants do not bring in positivity. They add yet another layer of neglect to your home.
In Indian houses the pooja room is a place of prayer and devotion. Ideally the pooja area should be in the Northeast direction. Make sure that it is free from clutter and keeps quiet.
Do not store any -religious items in the pooja area. No clothes, tools or random objects. The decoration in the pooja area should be simple. Do not crowd the pooja area with too many idols or ornaments. The idea is to have a peaceful place where you can sit quietly, pray or meditate.
One of the easiest Vastu Shastra principles anyone can follow is to keep the house clean and ventilated. Make sure to clean the corners as well as well as the areas you usually do not clean.
Fresh air and sunlight is extremely important. Make sure to open the curtains, windows and doors. A well-ventilated house, changes the feel of the entire house. Just opening the curtains or cleaning that cupboard you have not touched in six months, can already make a huge difference.
Apart from organisation and directions, small everyday habits can also affect the positivity in your home.
A few easy ways to do this are:
- Keep clutter under control
- Fix or remove broken household items
- Keep the entrance clean and tidy
- Let natural light and fresh air in
- Clean the kitchen after cooking
- Do not overload rooms with furniture
- Choose colors that feel calming and comfortable
- Take care of your indoor plants
- Create a quiet space for prayer, reading or meditation
- Clean all corners of the house regularly
These seem like small steps but they altogether make your home feel much better and create a sense of organisation, peace and comfort.
The living room is usually the place in the house. People gather here, guests visit and conversations happen. So it should feel open and comfortable. Keep it free from much clutter.
Furniture should allow for space for movement and avoid blocking any pathways. Make sure walking is not difficult. Traditionally heavier furniture works well in the south or west. The north and east can stay lighter and more open. You can also add warmth and nature to the space with plants or simple decor.
Above all do not sacrifice comfort for rules. Your living room should be a place where people actually want to sit and spend time.
Your surroundings affect how focused you feel. Whether you are studying for an exam or working at home.
Yes it's probably an idea to keep your phone away from you when you're studying no matter what direction your desk is facing!
Your bedroom ought preferably to be peaceful not busy.
Some followed Vastu practices include:
Again these are guidelines. Your comfort, sleep quality and practical needs are also important.
Sometimes people become obsessed with Vastu. End up focussing on aspects that aren't as important.
Remember:
Clutter, lack of ventilation, sunlight and organisation are more important than adhering to Vastu principles. Tackle these issues first before focussing on less important aspects such as direction of rooms. Focus on what you can control by decluttering, fixing items, arranging furniture, letting in natural light, ventilation and creating a pleasant ambience.
Once you've done this then you can incorporate Vastu principles as you see fit.
It is a matter of preference.
Some people follow Vastu principles religiously when buying or building a house while others incorporate a few Vastu tips in their existing home. There is no need to renovate or rebuild a house if it doesn't adhere to some Vastu principles. If you are buying or building a house it is a good idea to hire a professional vasthu expert to help you with the project.
For an existing house some minor adjustments would suffice if you are a Vastu believer.
The best way to go about it is to strike a medium between traditional values and practical living.
Vasthu Shastra need not be such a task. Sometimes the easiest Vastu Shastra Tips are the effective such as keeping your home clean and clutter free, getting rid of broken items, letting in natural light and fresh air, organising your belongings and making your home a comfortable place to live in.
Whether you are a Vastu believer or just like to incorporate age old Indian customs and rituals in your household the ultimate aim should be to create a positive environment conducive to living. All your home is a reflection of your personality and has a huge bearing, on the lifestyle you lead.