Similar to China’s ancient tradition of Feng Shui, Vastu Shastra is a system of architecture and design from India that harnesses the laws of nature to create harmony and positivity in a home or building.
If you’ve ever had to spend time in a poorly designed home or apartment, you know how it can negatively affect your mood and productivity. No one wants to be bumping into corners, squinting due to lack of natural light, or wishing their home was set up differently so that daily activity feels smooth and unobstructed.
Walking into a home that is designed and decorated mindfully brings about feelings of peace and clarity. The ancients in India knew this and developed an entire system to promote harmony in buildings and properties. Vastu Shastra can be applied to modern home and interior design, and it's an interesting subject to study before purchasing and moving into a new home.
The name Vastu Shastra means “science of architecture” in Sanskrit.
Vastu is a traditional Hindu system of architecture based on ancient texts that describe principles of design, layout, measurements, ground preparation, space arrangement, and spatial geometry.
The main goals of Vastu are to blend architecture with nature, organise different parts of a building based on their purpose, and honour ancient Hindu beliefs. The belief is that geometric patterns (yantra), symmetry, and specific directions create balance and harmony within a home or building.
Similar to Feng Shui, the purpose of Vastu is to balance the five elements: earth, water, fire, air and space.
Many Vastu principles just feel like basic common sense. Perhaps you have already applied some of these principles in your home already.
Orientation: Aligning a building with the cardinal directions to optimise the flow of natural energy.
Shape: Using geometric shapes like squares and rectangles creates a sense of order and efficiency.
Ventilation: Proper ventilation eliminates negative energy and allows fresh air to flow freely.
Light: Ample sunlight is said to energise a space.
Furniture: Furniture can be arranged strategically to promote harmony and positivity.
Colors and materials: Use specific colors and materials to promote varying moods and feelings.
Plants and symbols: Plants and sacred symbols promote positive energy throughout a home.
Mirrors: Mirror placement can make or break a room’s energy. For example, placing two mirrors in opposite directions can bounce negative energy back and forth.
Beams: Avoid placing chairs or couches directly under exposed beams because beams can create a feeling of pressure and discomfort.
Doors: External doors can be placed in a way that minimises the risk of theft.
Ventilation: Proper ventilation keeps homes from feeling stagnant, but too much ventilation can be overstimulating.
Much of the Vastu Shastra philosophy is geared towards architects, as they design the placement and structure of a new home or building. However, many of the main principles can be applied to homes and buildings that are already designed and built.
Here are some tips for improving the most important elements of an existing Canadian home:
The main entrance is significant as it's the primary place where energy enters and exits a home.
Find a door that is ideally made from high-quality wood. Canada is full of forests and is known for its quality lumber. Canadian fine woodworkers and artisans often offer beautiful doors as part of their craft.
A stone or wooden threshold promotes wealth and good money management.
The door should open in a clockwise direction.
Use a copper lock for an east-facing entrance, iron locks for a west-facing entrance, and brass for a south-facing entrance.
Don’t place any mirrors opposite the entrance, as you don’t want to reflect away any good energy.
Plants in an entranceway help to beautify and bring wellness and harmony to a home.
According to Vastu guidelines, lighting plays an important role in creating a balance in your home by promoting positivity, mood upliftment and well-being.
Details matter when it comes to lighting your home.
You can maximise natural light by opening all curtains. Make sure that windows, skylights and mirrors are kept clean to allow the free flow of light.
In the winter months, Canadian homes lack sunlight. There are a few ways to make up for the lack of daylight during winter:
Place lamps with warm, ambient light bulbs throughout your home.
Light candles at night.
If you have a fireplace, keep it lit (or turned on) to help bring light and warmth.
Hang string lights in darker areas of your home and yard.
Solar-powered outdoor lighting is elegant and sustainable.
The placement of lamps is important. Lamps are best placed near north or east walls, as these directions are associated with positivity and growth. Place lamps in any dark corners or nooks to make sure all areas are lit up.
Combine ambient, task and accent lighting in each room. Well-lit spaces for different activities reduce tension and contribute to ambience. Definitely avoid excessive or harsh lighting such as fluorescent lights.
Walls, ceilings and floors should be painted or tiled in light colours to reflect light, brighten the space and make it appear larger.
Choose fixtures that are made from natural materials such as metal, and replace old bulbs as soon as they burn out.
Install dimmers or adjustable controls for lighting flexibility throughout the day and night. Different activities require different light intensity.
Chromotherapy (colour therapy) and Vastu Shastra can both agree that specific uses of colour can be used to promote mental and physical health.
Brown, green, beige, gold, brick and off-white colours promote stability and grounding.
Red, orange, yellow and gold represent light and energy and are good for rooms with high activity, such as kitchens and living rooms.
Yellow is associated with happiness, joy, brightness and creativity, so it can be used in kitchens, offices and children’s bedrooms.
Orange promotes social harmony, communication and optimism; therefore, it’s a good colour for living rooms.
Blues, aquas, turquoise, teal, and sea greens promote relaxation and are good for bathrooms and bedrooms.
According to the ancients in India, Vastu Shastra enhances health and wellbeing by improving sleep quality and promotes financial stability and success.
It also strengthens relationships, encourages cooperation, harmonises families, and reduces stress by creating a calming living environment.
There are numerous books and websites dedicated to sharing the wisdom of Vastu Shastra. Additionally, consultations from Vastu experts can provide guidance either before you move into a new home or if you are experiencing life challenges that you feel may be related to the energy flow in your home or workplace.
Whether or not you apply the principles of ancient systems such as Vastu Shastra and Feng Shui when you are designing and/or decorating your space, it's best to approach tasks and decisions with mindfulness and respect for the natural world. This way, you can work in harmony with nature to maximise the flow of positive energy in your new home.
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