Vastu is the science of direction, movements and architecture that combines all the five elements of nature and balances them with the man and the material. Vastu Shastra is about creating a congenial settings or a place to live or work, in most scientific way by taking advantages of the benefits bestowed by the five elements called “Pancha Maha Bhootas” of the nature. It, thereby, pave the way for enhanced health, wealth, prosperity and happiness in an enlightened environment.

Vastu Shastra deals with various aspects of designing and building living environments that are in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces. Building practices based on limited interpretations of these principles are still sustained in several parts of India.

Design principles for houses as per Vastu Shastra

Foundation
The foundation should be laid during an auspicious time. Plots with round, triangular, polygonal and other shapes may constantly lead one into some problem or other. Square and rectangular plots are good. If the entrance to the house is facing south, it is considered very auspicious and leads to wealth. More open space in north or east gives name, fame and prosperity. Central space is better left open or used for rituals.

Pillars
The master of a house which has 12 pillars from the entrance to the interior of the house, will be subjected to many troubles from their enemies, fall sick often and become a debtor. The goddess of fortune will run away and the house will be taken possession of by the goddess of evil and other evil spirits. Having 3 pillars on the raised platform in the verandah will lead the resident to a confused state of mind; incur loss of property and there will be impediments in all matters. There should be an even number of columns and beams in the house, not odd.

Water Well
It is advised that the first construction project for the new house is to dig the well. If water is used from this well for the construction, it is auspicious for the family who will live in the house. It is best that the well or water source is on the north or northeast side of the land, or if water comes from the municipality, it should enter from the northeast side. The well should never in the centre of the house, as it is not considered good for family head. It is not recommended to share wells between two properties.

Main Door
The main door way is an important aspect for a building. The Vastu Shastra gives much credence to the main doorway, which is the abode of the Goddess of fortune and possessing divine strength. Having 4 main doorways in the 4 main directions of a building is known as "Viswatho" gateway. Erecting 3 main doorways in the 3 main directions excepting east, of a building, is known as "Viyakra Padam.” Such a house will be subjected to the fear of thefts and loss of cattle heads. Having 2 main doorways in the South and West will usher in all-round prosperity and comforts.

The main door of the house should be larger than the other doors entering the house. The main door should have two shutters and open to the inside of the building. It is best that a house has 2 entrances. The exit door should be smaller than the entrance, and it should have only 1 shutter. If there are 2 external doors for the house, they should not be set in a straight line.

The main door of the house should not be below ground level. Main door should be neither in the center of the house nor in the extreme corners. To figure out where to place a main door, divide the house into nine parts. The door should be in the fourth section of the house from the left hand side. From the right side of the house, the entrance is in the sixth division from the right. The entrance doors of two houses should not be exactly opposing one another. Neither should two houses share a common entrance.

It is considered auspicious if the entrance to the property and the main door of the house are on the same side. It is not considered good if the main door to the house is on the opposite side to the entrance of the property. There should not be an underground tank, septic tank, or canal under the main entrance. There should not be any abandoned, wrecked buildings in front of the main entrance.

Do not align doors within the house. One door should not lead directly into another. If there is a west entrance there has to be an east entrance too. The number of doors within the house should be even in number.

It is good to decorate a house’s entrance with pictures or statues of Laksmi, Ganesh and auspicious signs such as OM or the Swastika.

Windows
There should be more windows in the north and east than the south and west. The number of windows should be even in number.

Furniture Arrangement
Arrange the furniture to from a square or a circle or an octagon in. Furniture in the living room should be placed in the southeast, south or west sides of a room. The house owner should sit facing north or east and his guests should sit facing west or south. It is best that the northeast corner of each room in the house be left empty.

Beds should face either west or south to insure that when a person rises in the morning, he is facing either north or east. A table in a study room should be placed in the south or west sides of the room. Books should be stored in the southwest side of the room.

Flow of Water
An overhead water tank should be located in the southwest side of a building. Water departing from the kitchen and bathroom should flow to the northeast and leave the house from this side. Rainwater and wastewater should leave the house from the northeast side. It should flow west to east or south to north. A water body or source should be in the east or NE of the plot. A water body in the south/SE position of the house can cause damage to the male child/wife of the owner.

Important Vastu Tips
	Stairways should be on the south, southwest, or west sides of a building.
	Pictures such as nudes, fighting animals, hunting scenes, trees without fruits or flowers, snakes, owls, bats, vultures and pigeons should not be hung in a house. Place a picture of bright sunrise on southern wall or happy family in living room.
	When one prays, he should face either north or east. There should be enough light and air.
	While sleeping, the head should be placed towards the South for good health or the East to be blessed by God. Never place your head towards the North.
	Allow a bright light on the main door. The wind should come from south-west in the bedroom.
	Avoid keeping any water feature or plants in the bedroom. Do not keep prickly cactus or plants with throns in the house.
	A television can be placed in the southeast side of a room. Avoid keeping a T.V. set in bedroom.
	Dining room should not expose to the front door of your house.
	Mirrors should be placed on the north or east walls, not on the south or west walls. Never put mirror in kitchen. Keep the broom and mops out of the sight in kitchen. Do not keep broken mirrors in the house.
	Clocks should be placed on the west, north, or east walls.
	Clothes should be washed in the southeast corner of the house.
	Do not keep money in a place facing south.
	Medicine should be kept in the northeast corner of the house. It is best to nurse those who are ill in the southwest corner of the house.