Room by Room

Living Room

The family's gathering place — ideally the brightest, airiest room in the home.

Traditional Vastu guidance

  • North, east or north-east is preferred for the living room.
  • Heavy furniture is placed along the south and west walls; the north-east of the room is kept relatively open.
  • The head of the household traditionally sits facing north or east.
  • Keep the centre of the room open and uncluttered.

Practical & building science

  • The living room benefits most from daylight because it is used through the day; aim for windows on two walls if possible.
  • Furniture should not block windows or the path of air between openings.
  • Ceiling fans significantly improve comfort by increasing air movement at low energy cost.
  • Use light-coloured walls and ceilings to bounce daylight deeper into the room.

Checklist

Tick off what your home already has. (Your ticks are not saved or sent anywhere.)

Common challenges

Living room has only one window

Keep the door to an adjacent room with a window open to create a cross-flow path; add a ceiling fan; use light colours and a mirror opposite the window to spread daylight.

Traditional Vastu recommendations are presented for cultural and educational interest and are not guaranteed to produce any particular outcome. For structural changes or safety questions, consult a qualified architect or engineer.

Ask about your living room

From the library

Further reading

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