Vastu for the kitchen and bedroom: the rules that matter in a modern flat
South-east for the stove, south-west for the master bedroom, and which way to sleep. The classical logic behind each rule, and what to do when the builder's layout does not follow them.
Vastu assigns each direction to one of the five elements and a presiding deity. Once you know those, most of the rules for the kitchen and bedroom follow naturally.
The directions in one line each
| Direction | Element / deity | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| North-east (Ishaan) | Water, Shiva | Mandir, water, open space |
| East | Sun, Indra | Windows, morning light |
| South-east (Agneya) | Fire, Agni | Kitchen |
| South | Yama | Heavy storage, bedrooms |
| South-west (Nairutya) | Earth, Nirriti | Master bedroom, heavy furniture |
| West | Varuna | Children's rooms, dining |
| North-west (Vayavya) | Air, Vayu | Guest room, storage |
| North | Kubera | Living room, cash box |
| Centre (Brahmasthan) | Space, Brahma | Kept open |
The kitchen
Best place: the south-east. The corner of Agni, the fire element. The second choice is the north-west.
Avoid: the north-east, which belongs to water and worship — fire there is a clash of elements.
Inside the kitchen:
- Place the stove in the south-east part of the kitchen, so the cook faces east while cooking.
- Keep the sink and water filter in the north-east or north part — separate fire and water. If they must be on the same counter, leave a gap or put something between them.
- Store grain and heavy items along the south or west walls.
- A window or exhaust on the east side lets in morning light and lets out smoke.
The master bedroom
Best place: the south-west. The earth element brings stability, and the tradition gives this room to the head of the family.
- Place the bed so that your head points south or east when you sleep.
- Avoid sleeping with your head to the north. This is one of the most widely followed Vastu and Ayurveda customs in India.
- The bed should not be under a beam, and should not face a mirror directly. Cover mirrors at night if you cannot move them.
- Keep the room calm: fewer electronics, soft colours, and no clutter under the bed.
Children's rooms suit the west or north-west; guest rooms the north-west, since air moves and guests leave.
When the builder did it differently
Most flats are not designed to Vastu. Common corrections:
- Kitchen in the north-east: move the stove to the south-east corner of the kitchen itself, keep the room very clean, and add a Vastu pyramid or yellow tones.
- Bedroom in the north-east: use it for children or guests if possible; keep heavy furniture along the south and west walls of the room.
- Toilet in the north-east: keep it spotless and closed; a bowl of sea salt, changed weekly, is a common folk remedy.
The logic of every correction is the same: put each activity in the part of the room that suits it, even if the room is in the wrong part of the house.
Common questions
Is head-north sleeping harmful? The tradition says so; the reasons given are about the Earth's magnetic field and are not proven. Many people simply follow it as a custom.
Can the stove face south? It is usually avoided. East is the first choice, west the second.
Read also Vastu for the main door and the home mandir.
Written by the Jyotishvanii editorial desk from classical sources. For a reading of your own chart, talk to an astrologer.
