SCIENTIFIC VASTU | STAIRCASE | An Architect Explains

A Staircase is a series of steps connecting different levels in a Building. Stairs allow you to move from one level of the home to another level – easily and comfortably. Hence in a House with more than one level, the Staircase will be used everyday, a number of times. Hence the Staircase should be comfortably designed for the users. The Staircase is usually accessed from the Dining Room.

A staircase is a series of steps connecting different levels of a house

Listed here are some Vastu Guidelines for design of staircase. Since Vastu is a science, every guideline is based on logic and scientific reasoning. As an Architect, I have attempted to explain these guidelines rationally and scientifically, under the following headings, so that you can decide what you want to follow and what you don’t, instead of looking at Vastu Shastra as a superstition.

What is the best position of a staircase according to Vastu?
What is the best position of a staircase according to Vastu?
What is the ideal direction of the staircase flight according to Vastu?
What are the Vastu specifications for a staircase?
What are the ideal vastu colours for a staircase room?

 


ACCORDING TO VASTU, WHAT IS THE BEST LOCATION FOR A STAIRCASE?
The staircase should be in the South-West, South or West. However, it is not advisable to build a Staircase on the North-East side. The Reason – The North-East is to be left open according to Vastu, in order to allow the morning sun rays to enter the house. Hence if a staircase is kept in this corner, it will block the sunlight. But if there is no other choice, the staircase can be placed here as the internal circulation is also important. But in case the staircase is located in the wrong position according to Vastu Shastra, then there are remedies which you can read about in my post Remedies for North-East defects
Avoid an internal staircase in the centre of the house

Avoid internal staircase in the corners or the centre of the house: The Reason – If an internal staircase is in the corner, the room from which it is accessed cannot be used properly. Similarly, if the staircase is in the center, a lot of useful circulation space is wasted. 

 


WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL REMEDIES FOR STAIRCASE IN THE NORTH EAST DEFECT?

A Staircase in the North-East side is not advisable and is considered a defect. The staircase should be in the South-West, South or West. The Reason – The North-East is to be left open according to Vastu, in order to allow the morning sun rays to enter the house. If a staircase is kept in this corner, it will block the useful sunlight.

REMEDY FOR STAIRCASE IN THE NORTH-EAST: If there is no other choice, the staircase can be placed here as the internal circulation is also important. Here are some useful remedies that you can follow:

  • If possible make sure the landing ends in the South West.
  • Plan an open staircase.
  • Choose light colours, materials and shape for the stairs, so that the NE corner is not blocked by a heavy structure.


 


ACCORDING TO VASTU, WHAT IS THE IDEAL DIRECTION OF THE STAIRCASE FLIGHT?

The first flight should be from East to West or North to South. The Reason – This will ensure that the lower steps will be in the East or North, while the higher steps will be in the West or South. Thus the useful, morning light from the East and the constant light from the North will not be blocked by the Steps.

Turn clockwise when turning into the next flight: The Reason – Since most people are right handed, they tend to hold the handrail on the right hand side. So when they turn onto the next flight, it makes sense to continue holding the right handrail, for which the next flight should be on the right side which means one has to turn clockwise.

 


WHAT ARE THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR STAIRCASES IN VASTU SHASTRA?

There should be odd number of risers in a staircase: For example 15, 17, 19 are acceptable. The Reason – Since most people are right handed, they generally put their right foot first, while climbing a staircase. So when they end the climb, they prefer to end on the right foot. This is possible only when there are odd numberof steps. It is for this reason that the right foot is equated with gain, the left with loss.

Avoid a spiral staircase in a house

Avoid circular or spiral staircase: The Reason – A circular staircase takes up and wastes a lot of space, especially in the corners and in the rooms adjacent to it. A spiral staircase is very uncomfortable to climb and not very safe. Also the space below it is not very usable and there is the risk of bumping into it as there is no proper head room.

Avoid rooms under a staircase: The Reason – Often, people  use the space below a staircase for small rooms like Toilets, Safe, Puja etc. But every time people climb the steps, a person using the room below gets an uneasy feeling of somebody stamping on their head. He doesn’t feel safe either, as if the whole thing will collapse on him.


 


WHAT ARE THE IDEAL COLOURS FOR A STAIRCASE ROOM?

The ideal colours of the staircase area are light colors. The Reason-  One can see the steps clearly, if the whole area is painted a light color as this reflects light.

This post was about the Vastu guidelines for the design of Staircase. The Staircase leads to the next floors namely the Basement and Upper floors and the Terrace where the Overhead Water tanks are located. Read the Vastu guidelines for the design of these spaces here:




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