Living room Vastu: direction, furniture and layout
Traditionally, the living room is best in the north, north-east or east of the house. The south-west is considered okay. Within the room, the usual advice is heavier furniture on the south and west sides and lighter pieces on the north and east.
2 min read ·
Which direction is best for a living room?
Most texts prefer the north, north-east or east, the sides of the plan that receive morning light in many homes. This is a sensible thing for any living room, as a separate point from tradition.
The south-west is listed as okay, so a living room there is not seen as a serious problem. Facing of the house changes which side the main door is on, so find North on the plan first.
| Direction | Traditional verdict | Note |
|---|---|---|
| North (Uttara) | Traditionally preferred | |
| North-east (Ishanya) | Traditionally preferred | |
| East (Purva) | Traditionally preferred | |
| South-west (Nairutya) | Acceptable | Considered okay |
Where should living room furniture go?
Put heavier furniture such as a large sofa, a wall unit or a TV cabinet against the south and west walls. Keep the north and east sides lighter, with low furniture and open floor.
Leave the centre of the room open for walking and gathering. A sofa arrangement that lets you sit facing the door is a comfort point many people value.
What colour and windows suit a living room?
The rule data VastuLive uses sets no fixed living room colour, so people choose shades that suit them. Light, welcoming colours make most rooms feel larger.
Windows are traditionally preferred on the north, east and north-east. Fewer or smaller windows are advised on the south and south-west.
Does the entrance matter for a living room?
Traditionally the entrance matters as much as the room's own direction, and the living room is often the first room guests see. Keep the entrance and the seating near it tidy and well lit, because the quality of the entrance matters as much as its direction.
If a room does not match
These need no building work.
- Move the heaviest furniture to the south and west walls, and keep the north and east sides lighter.
- Keep the centre of the room open and clear of clutter.
- If the room is in the south-west, keep windows on that side small or covered by light curtains and keep the north and east sides as open as possible.
- Add light with lamps and keep windows clean, especially on the north and east sides.
- Do not rebuild the room. For structural questions, ask a qualified architect or engineer.
In VastuLive
Upload, photograph or sketch your floor plan and VastuLive reads the rooms, the entrance and the North marking, asking you to confirm North if it is unsure. The report gives a finding for the living room, with the rule and evidence behind it, and you can export it as a PDF.
See how the app worksQuestions
Which direction is best for a living room?
Most texts prefer the north, north-east or east for a living room. The south-west is considered okay, so a living room there is not seen as a serious problem. Traditions differ in detail, so treat this as common guidance. Find North on your plan first, because the facing of the house changes where the main door sits.
Where should the TV go?
The rule data VastuLive uses has no TV rule, so it sets no direction for a TV. The general advice is to keep heavy items such as a TV cabinet against the south and west walls and leave the north and east sides lighter. Traditions differ, so also arrange the room for comfort and clear walking space.
What colour should a living room be?
The rule data VastuLive uses sets no fixed colour for a living room, so there is no single correct shade. Choose colours that suit you and the light in the room, since light, welcoming shades make most rooms feel larger. Good daylight and clean windows are sensible in any living room.
Does the facing of the house change this?
The same preferred directions apply whatever the facing: north, north-east and east, with the south-west considered okay. The facing only changes which side the main door is on, so find North on your plan first. Traditions differ in detail, and the quality of the entrance matters as much as its direction.
Keep reading
Based on traditional Vastu texts and practice. Traditions differ, and nothing here promises a result. For structural, legal or safety questions, ask a qualified architect or engineer.